Kavu Aggressor MTG Card


Kavu Aggressor - Invasion
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Kavu
Abilities Kicker
Released2000-10-02
Set symbol
Set nameInvasion
Set codeINV
Power 3
Toughness 2
Number148
Frame1997
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byChristopher Moeller

Key Takeaways

  1. Kavu Aggressor’s pressure forces opponents to expend more resources, enhancing player advantage.
  2. Its low casting cost and Amplify ability synergize with aggressive strategies, especially in red decks.
  3. However, drawbacks like discard requirements and specific mana costs may require deck adjustments.

Text of card

Kicker o4 (You may pay an additional o4 as you play this spell.) Kavu Aggressor can't block. If you paid the kicker cost, Kavu Aggressor comes into play with a +1/+1 counter on it.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Kavu Aggressor may not directly allow you to draw more cards but as an aggressive creature, it helps to keep the pressure on your opponent, forcing them to deal with it and potentially using more resources than you did to play it.

Resource Acceleration: While Kavu Aggressor doesn’t provide resource acceleration in the traditional sense, its comparatively low casting cost can accelerate your board state, allowing you to allocate resources elsewhere.

Instant Speed: Although Kavu Aggressor itself can’t be cast at instant speed, it benefits from instants in your deck that can protect or enhance it during combat or in response to your opponent’s actions.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Kavu Aggressor forces players to discard to achieve maximum potential, presenting a challenge when hand size is critical.

Specific Mana Cost: Necessitating both red and green mana, Kavu Aggressor demands a dedicated mana base, potentially limiting deck versatility.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that’s substantial for its stats, other creatures could represent a more cost-effective choice, offering better value for the mana invested.


Reasons to Include Kavu Aggressor in Your Collection

Versatility: Kavu Aggressor is a solid addition to any red deck thanks to its ‘can’t block’ ability, making it an excellent choice for aggressive strategies where your focus is dealing direct damage rather than defending.

Combo Potential: With its Amplify ability, this creature can become increasingly powerful when paired with other cards that put Kavu into play or into your hand, maximizing your offensive capabilities on the battlefield.

Meta-Relevance: As the meta shifts to favor quicker, more aggressive plays, Kavu Aggressor can serve as a reliable player, adept at pushing through those extra points of damage needed to outpace control and combo decks.


How to beat

Kavu Aggressor is a potent creature card that can pose significant challenges on the battlefield. This card’s utility lies in its features like “can’t block,” which might seem like a drawback but actually enables a strategy centered on aggressive play. It’s essential for players to understand that Kavu Aggressor is designed for offense, not defense, which sets the stage for strategic counterplay.

To effectively counter Kavu Aggressor, consider utilizing removal spells quickly and efficiently. Spells that destroy or exile creatures at a low cost can be particularly useful, allowing you to remove the threat before it can deal substantial damage. Consider running control elements like counterspells to prevent it from hitting the field in the first place.

Adapting your gameplay to include creatures with high toughness can also be a game-changer. Such creatures can survive the Aggressor’s attack and potentially outlast it. Playing with versatile utilities that offer multiple options are also critical for managing and surviving an assault from such aggressors. With strategic play and the right mix of answers, you can negate the impact of Kavu Aggressor and maintain control of the game.


Cards like Kavu Aggressor

The Kavu Aggressor from Magic: The Gathering is an intriguing card among the broader Kavu creature type. While it shares the aggressive nature typical to most Kavu, it differs in its Amplify ability, allowing it to potentially become stronger as additional Kavu enter the battlefield. We can compare this to the likes of Flametongue Kavu, standing out with its ability to deal damage upon entering the battlefield—making it instantly impactful without the need for other Kavus.

Another card worth comparing is Kavu Titan. In essence, the Titan offers flexibility not present with the Kavu Aggressor. You can either cast Kavu Titan for a relatively low cost or kick it for additional mana to make it significantly larger. Unlike Kavu Aggressor, which requires a specific condition to scale in power, Kavu Titan’s growth is reliant more directly on available mana rather than synergies with other cards.

In sum, Kavu Aggressor occupies a unique space wherein its power level is dependent on deck construction and the presence of its Kavu kin. Its comparison to relatives like Flametongue Kavu and Kavu Titan highlights the diversity within Kavu cards, each offering distinct advantages and play styles for deck builders and players in Magic: The Gathering.

Flametongue Kavu - MTG Card versions
Kavu Titan - MTG Card versions
Flametongue Kavu - Planeshift (PLS)
Kavu Titan - Invasion (INV)

Cards similar to Kavu Aggressor by color, type and mana cost

Dwarven Warriors - MTG Card versions
Raging Bull - MTG Card versions
Wall of Lava - MTG Card versions
Brassclaw Orcs - MTG Card versions
Imperial Recruiter - MTG Card versions
Uthden Troll - MTG Card versions
Hobgoblin Bandit Lord - MTG Card versions
Goblin Rabblemaster - MTG Card versions
Nosy Goblin - MTG Card versions
Goblin Sky Raider - MTG Card versions
Cosmic Larva - MTG Card versions
Mannichi, the Fevered Dream - MTG Card versions
Ghost-Lit Raider - MTG Card versions
Goblin Chariot - MTG Card versions
Balduvian Barbarians - MTG Card versions
Basalt Gargoyle - MTG Card versions
Orcish Artillery - MTG Card versions
Stinkdrinker Daredevil - MTG Card versions
Blind-Spot Giant - MTG Card versions
Mudbutton Torchrunner - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Warriors - Foreign Black Border (FBB)
Raging Bull - Legends (LEG)
Wall of Lava - Ice Age (ICE)
Brassclaw Orcs - Fifth Edition (5ED)
Imperial Recruiter - Portal Three Kingdoms (PTK)
Uthden Troll - Battle Royale Box Set (BRB)
Hobgoblin Bandit Lord - Adventures in the Forgotten Realms Promos (PAFR)
Goblin Rabblemaster - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Nosy Goblin - Onslaught (ONS)
Goblin Sky Raider - Onslaught (ONS)
Cosmic Larva - Fifth Dawn (5DN)
Mannichi, the Fevered Dream - Betrayers of Kamigawa (BOK)
Ghost-Lit Raider - Saviors of Kamigawa (SOK)
Goblin Chariot - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Balduvian Barbarians - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Basalt Gargoyle - Time Spiral (TSP)
Orcish Artillery - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
Stinkdrinker Daredevil - Lorwyn (LRW)
Blind-Spot Giant - Lorwyn (LRW)
Mudbutton Torchrunner - Duel Decks: Elves vs. Goblins (DD1)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Kavu Aggressor MTG card by a specific set like Invasion, 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 Kavu Aggressor and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Kavu Aggressor has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

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