Kresh the Bloodbraided MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityMythic
TypeLegendary Creature — Human Warrior
Power 3
Toughness 3

Key Takeaways

  1. Kresh grows stronger with creature deaths, making him a significant threat in creature-heavy games.
  2. Indirect resource acceleration and size increase at instant speed allow Kresh to control game pace.
  3. Its unique mana cost and dependency on creature death can both amplify power and limit versatility.

Text of card

Whenever another creature is put into a graveyard from play, you may put X +1/+1 counters on Kresh the Bloodbraided, where X is that creature's power.

Each of his twenty-two braids is bound with bone and leather from a foe.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Kresh the Bloodbraided thrives in a setting where creatures are abundant, particularly in games that see a high mortality rate among creatures. Each time a creature dies, Kresh grows stronger, effectively turning each creature’s downfall into an advantage for you. This accumulation of +1/+1 counters not only makes Kresh a more formidable force but also pressures your opponents to deal with him before he becomes unstoppable.

Resource Acceleration: While Kresh himself doesn’t directly provide mana acceleration, his mere presence can deter opponents from playing creatures or force them to deal with him, indirectly influencing the pace of resource utilization. Moreover, with the right deck build, Kresh can be pivotal in strategies that involve sacrificing your own creatures for an upper hand, thus propelling you ahead by utilizing resources to your advantage.

Instant Speed: Though Kresh operates at sorcery speed, his ability to grow at instant speed makes him a constant threat. Every creature’s death, whether on your turn or during your opponent’s, allows Kresh to swell in size, turning any time into an opportunity for growth. Smart players can leverage this by timing their removal or sacrifice effects optimally, ensuring Kresh becomes a powerhouse even when it’s not your turn.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Kresh the Bloodbraided doesn’t directly require discarding, but its ability to grow stronger is dependent on creature deaths, which could pressure players into sacrificing their own creatures, indirectly causing a loss of cards from the field.

Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a distinct mana combination of red, green, and black, which can complicate deck building and may not seamlessly fit into just any strategy.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Kresh comes with a relatively steep cost at five mana, including three different colors, which could slow down your early game, especially in formats where speed is crucial.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Kresh the Bloodbraided proves to be a flexible commander, fitting seamlessly into sacrifice and power-matters strategies. Its ability to gain strength from the demise of other creatures makes it adaptable in varying board states.

Combo Potential: When combined with cards that have death triggers or sacrifice outlets, Kresh’s power can snowball rapidly, leading to explosive turns where his increased power can be utilized for devastating attacks or as fuel for other abilities.

Meta-Relevance: In a metagame dense with creature-based strategies, Kresh the Bloodbraided thrives. Capitalizing on every creature death, Kresh can quickly become a force to be reckoned with, giving it significant relevance in environments where creatures frequently hit the graveyard.


How to beat

Kresh the Bloodbraided is a powerful commander card from the MTG universe known for capitalizing on the demise of creatures. Every time a creature dies, Kresh grows stronger, gaining +1/+1 counters equal to the creature’s power. Disrupting this counter accumulation is key to stifling Kresh’s strategy. To combat Kresh, consider using exile effects or cards that can bounce him back to an opponent’s hand—these methods prevent the counter gain from occurring.

Inclusion of instant-speed removal can throw off your opponent’s timing, especially during combat, which is critical as Kresh excels in battle. Remember: once Kresh has amassed a considerable number of counters, your typical damage-based removal spells may not suffice. Therefore, cards with unconditional destruction or those that force a player to sacrifice creatures can be invaluable in this matchup. Avoid engaging in unnecessary creature combat that would feed Kresh’s growth and play defensively until you are equipped to remove him for good. It’s also worth noting that graveyard hate cards halt recursion engines that can bring creatures back for Kresh to exploit again, further weakening his board presence.

Ultimately, the key lies in controlling the board state and keeping Kresh in check with smart, responsive plays. Maintaining this discipline will improve your odds of victory against a deck centered around Kresh the Bloodbraided.


BurnMana Recommendations

Stepping into MTG’s strategic battlefield with a deck featuring Kresh the Bloodbraided can be a transformative experience. His ability to gain might from fallen creatures molds him into a powerhouse that can intimidate any opponent. Crafting a strategy around this dynamic card not only sharpens your gameplay but also fosters a deeper understanding of the intricate dance between power and sacrifice. If you’re eager to weave Kresh into your deck and harness his full potential, it’s time to elevate your collection and gameplay. Explore our insights and tips to refine your deck and unlock new victorious paths with Kresh at the helm.


Cards like Kresh the Bloodbraided

In the diverse world of creature cards in MTG, Kresh the Bloodbraided commands a special presence. Comparable to cards like Reyhan, Last of the Abzan, Kresh thrives on other creatures dying, growing stronger with every death that occurs on the battlefield. Reyhan similarly gains counters whenever a creature dies, but lacks the immediate board impact of Kresh, as it requires another outlet to utilize those counters.

Kresh also shares a kinship with the likes of Varolz, the Scar-Striped, who exploits the power of creatures in the graveyard to bolster their own power. Yet, Kresh’s ability is less restricted, accumulating power from any creature’s demise, not just those under its owner’s control. This allows for a more widespread strategy, making Kresh formidable in multiplayer settings where creatures are often dying during various skirmishes.

In summary, while several creatures in MTG interact with the concept of growth via others’ deaths, Kresh the Bloodbraided stands out for its unabashed synergy with the cycle of life and death on the battlefield, presenting a unique advantage in games that are rife with creature combat.

Reyhan, Last of the Abzan - MTG Card versions
Varolz, the Scar-Striped - MTG Card versions
Reyhan, Last of the Abzan - MTG Card versions
Varolz, the Scar-Striped - MTG Card versions

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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Kresh the Bloodbraided MTG card by a specific set like Shards of Alara and From the Vault: Legends, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.

For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.

Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.

Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Kresh the Bloodbraided and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Kresh the Bloodbraided Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2008-10-03 and 2022-04-29. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12008-10-03Shards of AlaraALA 1782003NormalBlackRaymond Swanland
22011-08-26From the Vault: LegendsV11 52003NormalBlackSteve Argyle
32022-04-29New Capenna CommanderNCC 3452015NormalBlackRaymond Swanland

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Kresh the Bloodbraided has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Kresh the Bloodbraided card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2008-10-01 X is equal to the power of the creature as it last existed on the battlefield.

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