Karlach, Tiefling Punisher MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Legendary Creature — Tiefling Barbarian |
| Abilities | First strike,Haste |
| Released | 2022-07-07 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Alchemy Horizons: Baldur's Gate |
| Set code | HBG |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 4 |
| Number | 14b |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Billy Christian |
Text of card
First strike, haste When this card specializes from your graveyard, return it from your graveyard to the battlefield. It perpetually gains "This creature can't block." When this card specializes from any zone, you may sacrifice a creature. If you do, you draw two cards and each opponent loses 2 life.
Cards like Karlach, Tiefling Punisher
Karlach, Tiefling Punisher, makes a bold presence in the pantheon of red creatures that deliver punches each round. Drawing parallels to other punisher-style cards, Karlach stands out due to her unique ability to deal damage to a player or planeswalker when attacking with a plethora of legendary creatures and planeswalkers you control. This trait echoes the abilities found in Angrath’s Marauders, which also amplifies damage dealt but is limited in its scope considering only the damage from Karlach is doubled.
Another comparable card is Fiendish Duo, which simply doubles the damage dealt to opponents. While this enemy-effacing effect is broader, Fiendish Duo lacks the tactical advantage of Karlach’s potential for direct damage with legendary synergy. Obosh, the Preypiercer is also akin to Karlach with a damage doubling effect but with a restriction of only affecting odd-cost spells and permanents, presenting a different sort of deck-building challenge.
In a game where timing and synergy can be everything, Karlach, Tiefling Punisher offers a valuable niche. Her ability harmonizes with legendary creatures and planeswalkers leading to potentially substantial damage output, making her an intriguing choice for players crafting a strategy around legends and direct damage effects.
Cards similar to Karlach, Tiefling Punisher by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Karlach, Tiefling Punisher affords players the opportunity to eliminate key threats, which can lead to gaining a significant card advantage as one removal could potentially disrupt an opponent’s carefully laid strategy.
Resource Acceleration: As a creature that can potentially untap land or treasures during each opponent’s turn, Karlach, Tiefling Punisher can contribute towards resource acceleration, allowing for more flexibility in casting spells or activating abilities.
Instant Speed: The ability of Karlach to untap two permanents whenever an opponent activates an ability offers a strategic advantage at instant speed. This reactive nature of the card means that players can adapt on the fly to the changing battlefield and optimize their resources each turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Karlach, Tiefling Punisher necessitates a card to be discarded whenever it deals combat damage to a player, which may not always be beneficial, especially in a scenario where maintaining card advantage is crucial. Having to discard can undermine your own strategy if you’re running out of cards in hand.
Specific Mana Cost: This card requires a very specific mana investment, which can be restrictive. With a casting cost that includes both black and red mana, Karlach may not effortlessly fit into multicolored decks that do not support these specific colors, potentially limiting its overall versatility in various deck builds.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The initial mana cost of Karlach is relatively steep. It demands four mana, including two that are color specific. This cost is significant and may slow down your early game, especially when compared to other creatures or spells with similar effects that require less mana, leaving players open to quicker, more aggressive strategies from their opponents.
Reasons to Include Karlach, Tiefling Punisher in Your Collection
Versatility: Karlach, Tiefling Punisher acts as a versatile inclusion in various deck builds, dealing with multiple threats thanks to her trigger that damages a player or planeswalker upon attacking. Her ability adapts well in multiple game scenarios, providing both offensive and defensive advantages.
Combo Potential: This card can be a keystone in strategies revolving around attack triggers or damage-based effects. The punisher aspect of Karlach elevates combo decks that seek to exploit such mechanics, integrating smoothly with cards that share or amplify these attributes.
Meta-Relevance: For those keen on staying competitive, having Karlach in your arsenal ensures you have a response to opponent’s creatures and planeswalkers, reflecting the creature-heavy and walker-dependent decks common in various meta environments. Her presence on the battlefield cannot be underestimated, making her a relevant choice for anyone looking to disrupt the board and maintain tempo.
How to beat
Karlach, Tiefling Punisher, emerges as a formidable force on the battlefield with abilities that can swing the game in favor of its controller. With the capability to deal damage each time you’re attacked, it acts as a deterrent against opponents’ creatures. To effectively counter Karlach, it’s crucial to neutralize it before its abilities trigger. Utilizing spells that can bypass its indestructible nature on your turn, such as exile effects or -1/-1 counters, can be key strategies.
An option like Path to Exile delivers a swift solution, removing Karlach from play while not triggering death-related effects. In a broader strategic sense, limiting attacks until a reliable removal tool is in hand keeps its punishing effect at bay. Moreover, employing cards with hexproof or shroud can prevent Karlach from targeting your key creatures, preserving your board state. Prudent tactical play, combined with targeted removal, formulates the foundation to surmount the challenge posed by Karlach, turning the tide in your favor in your MTG matches.
In sum, overcoming Karlach, Tiefling Punisher, requires a blend of targeted removal spells and adept battlefield management, ensuring that its punishing presence is short-lived in the MTG arena.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Karlach, Tiefling Punisher 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, Tiefling Punisher and other MTG cards:
BUY NOW BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
- 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
See MTG Products