Karlach, Raging Tiefling MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Legendary Creature — Tiefling Barbarian |
| Abilities | First strike,Rage Beyond Death,Specialize |
| Released | 2022-07-07 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Alchemy Horizons: Baldur's Gate |
| Set code | HBG |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
| Number | 14 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Billy Christian |
Text of card
First strike Rage Beyond Death — Specialize . You may also activate this ability if Karlach, Raging Tiefling is in your graveyard.
Cards like Karlach, Raging Tiefling
Karlach, Raging Tiefling brings a unique flare to the fervor-filled creature line-up in Magic: The Gathering. Its closest counterparts could be considered those like Angrath’s Marauders, which also has the ability to amplify damage dealt to opponents. However, Karlach distinguishes itself with its Hellbent ability, incentivizing players to empty their hand to unleash her full potential.
Examining a bit further, we encounter Rakdos Pit Dragon, another creature that thrives on an empty-hand playstyle. Yet, it leans on the hefty requirement of four mana for its own version of the Hellbent ability. In contrast, Karlach’s effect is ongoing and not reliant on a mana investment each turn, offering a persistent threat on the battlefield. Comparatively, Kazarov, Sengir Pureblood also scales its power based on damage dealt, but its seven-mana casting cost places it at a distinct disadvantage against the more agile four-mana Karlach.
Within the context of MTG’s vast card collection, it’s evident that Karlach, Raging Tiefling embodies a balance of aggression and strategy, offering solid value for players who dare to walk the razor’s edge of hand management. It holds its ground firmly amongst its damage-boosting kin, providing consistent pressure with its ability to surge in power.
Cards similar to Karlach, Raging Tiefling by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Karlach, Raging Tiefling. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Naya Winota | Gladiator | Gladiator Proving Grounds: Week 13 2024 | |
 | Mardu Tokens | Gladiator | Sword and Sandals Showdown: EMEA Week 12 2024 | |
| Boros Death & Taxes | Gladiator | Gladiator Games: We're Back | |
 | Mono-Red Midrange | Gladiator | Gladiator Team Unified League | |
 | Boros Aggro | Gladiator | Gladiator Team Unified League | |
 | Jund Midrange | Gladiator | Gladiator Team Unified League | |
 | Gruul Midrange | Gladiator | Gladiator Team Unified League |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: With Karlach, Raging Tiefling, players can access additional cards through its attack-triggered ability. Successfully connecting with an opponent ensures you’re replenishing your hand, thus keeping options open and pressure high.
Resource Acceleration: Karlach’s ability to produce Treasure tokens each time it attacks doesn’t just ramp up your mana pool but also opens the door for strategic plays, enabling you to cast more spells or deploy stronger creatures ahead of schedule.
Instant Speed: While Karlach itself is not an instant speed spell, its resource acceleration can effectively enable instant speed interactions by offering up the necessary mana to activate abilities or cast spells during your opponent’s turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Karlach, Raging Tiefling demands you to discard a card to unleash its full potential. While enabling graveyard strategies, this cost can put you at a disadvantage by depleting your hand, limiting your strategic options as the game progresses.
Specific Mana Cost: This card’s activation cost isn’t just demanding in quantity but also in the specificity of requiring both red and black mana. This necessity can be restrictive, anchoring the card primarily to black-red decks and potentially disrupting multicolor mana bases.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With other cards in the game providing similar or greater impact for the same or lesser mana investment, the initial casting cost of Karlach may deter players when efficiency is crucial, particularly in the fast-paced games where each mana point counts.
Reasons to Include Karlach, Raging Tiefling in Your Collection
Versatility: Karlach, Raging Tiefling offers a distinct advantage due to its flexibility within a variety of deck builds. Its ability to grant bonus damage after casting a spell makes it a valuable asset for decks focusing on instant and sorcery spells.
Combo Potential: With Karlach’s capability to deal extra damage, it synergizes well with strategies designed to cast numerous spells in a single turn. This feature makes it a potent piece to initiate or complete combos that could swing the duel in your favor.
Meta-Relevance: In an environment where faster, aggressive plays are predominant, Karlach, Raging Tiefling can shine by amplifying the damage output every turn. This can give players an edge over opponents by staying one step ahead in terms of board presence and pressure.
How to beat
Karlach, Raging Tiefling is a formidable creature card that brings a unique charm to the MTG arena. Much like cards with powerful triggered abilities, Karlach can take over the game if left unchecked. The key to countering this fiery Tiefling is to disrupt its ability to amass a significant number of +1/+1 counters. Removing Karlach before it gets bigger is essential, as the longer it stays in play, the more challenging it becomes to handle due to the potential for exponential growth.
Spot removal spells such as Murder or Path to Exile are highly efficient ways to deal with Karlach. Utilize them right after Karlach has attacked or before your opponent’s end step to ensure they don’t benefit from the end-of-turn trigger. Additionally, employing counterspells like Cancel when Karlach is cast can prevent your opponent from gaining any advantage. In more competitive matches, cards with exile effects, such as Swords to Plowshares, offer a permanent solution that negates any further shenanigans. Remember, acting swiftly and decisively is your best strategy to subdue the chaos that Karlach embodies.
Considering Karlach’s strengths and the array of strategies to counter it, players must be prepared with responsive measures in their decks. Ensuring immediate answers to this card can mean the difference between victory and defeat in your MTG battles.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Karlach, Raging Tiefling MTG card by a specific set like Alchemy Horizons: Baldur's Gate, 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 Karlach, Raging Tiefling and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Karlach, Raging Tiefling has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |