Kavu Chameleon MTG Card
2000-10-02 - Number 191
2001-08-08 - Number jt191sb
2001-08-08 - Number jt191
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Kavu |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 4 |
Text of card
Kavu Chameleon can't be countered. oo G Kavu Chameleon becomes the color of your choice until end of turn.
"They weren't part of my plan, but Gaea insisted." —Urza
Cards like Kavu Chameleon
Kavu Chameleon, a classic from the Invasion set, brings to the table a unique blend of resilience and adaptability in creature form. It stands its ground against creatures like Ainok Survivalist, which boasts Megamorph and can destroy enchantments when turned face-up. However, Kavu Chameleon offers constant protection from control as it can change color at will, dodging many targeted removals that Ainok Survivalist might not evade once face-up.
Thrun, the Last Troll is another comparable card frequently seen in decks needing robust creatures. Thrun has regeneration and can’t be countered, yet it doesn’t have the color shifting ability of Kavu Chameleon which can be crucial in certain matchups. Craw Wurm, too, shares a kinship in terms of size, but it lacks any form of protective abilities, making Kavu Chameleon a superior choice when facing decks with a heavy focus on targeting spells.
In evaluating creatures that can withstand removal attempts, Kavu Chameleon is a card that, although not frequently mentioned in the current meta, offers a unique advantage with its proactive defensive mechanism, making it a noteworthy inclusion for decks that require resilient threats.
Cards similar to Kavu Chameleon by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Kavu Chameleon doesn’t directly allow players to draw additional cards, but its ability to become untargetable provides a form of card advantage through resilience. By preventing your opponent from using removal spells effectively, it ensures your threats remain on the board, allowing you to push through for consistent damage or defend against opponents without losing resources.
Resource Acceleration: While Kavu Chameleon doesn’t offer traditional resource acceleration like producing mana or reducing spell costs, its simple mana requirement of five green mana means it can be brought onto the battlefield relatively early with the aid of ramp spells. This can often lead to establishing a strong board presence faster than your opponent can handle.
Instant Speed: Kavu Chameleon’s strength lies in its proactive ability to be immune to target spells at will. The adaptability it offers at instant speed makes it a reliable and flexible creature during both your turn and your opponent’s, ensuring you get to choose when and how to protect it from targeted spells, without the need to invest mana until it’s absolutely necessary.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Unlike cards that come into play without extras, Kavu Chameleon demands a potential resource loss. It can put you at a disadvantage if you find yourself starved for options in your hand.
Specific Mana Cost: The mana cost of Kavu Chameleon is strictly green. This requirement can make it challenging to incorporate into multi-colored decks, limiting its versatility across various deck builds and strategies.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of five mana, it is often compared to other creatures in its range. Given this cost, some players might feel it doesn’t provide enough of a board presence or additional abilities to justify such a significant mana investment when other cards could offer similar stats with additional benefits or lower costs.
Reasons to Include Kavu Chameleon in Your Collection
Versatility: Kavu Chameleon offers flexibility on the battlefield by allowing you to switch its color to match whatever mana you have available. This ensures it can adapt to various game scenarios and is never a dead card in your hand, fitting seamlessly into multicolored decks.
Combo Potential: The ability to change colors at will means Kavu Chameleon can be an asset in combinations that target or are enhanced by specific colors. In decks that may benefit from color-specific synergies or require protection from color-based spells, this creature steps up as a reliable player.
Meta-Relevance: Given the dynamic nature of MTG’s meta, having a creature that can dodge color-targeted removal can be crucial. Kavu Chameleon’s ability to adapt makes it particularly useful when facing decks that lean heavily on removal spells that target solely based on color, keeping you one step ahead of the game.
How to beat
The key to overcoming Kavu Chameleon in Magic: The Gathering lies in recognizing its flexibility. This formidable creature is renowned for evading color-targeted spells by changing its color. Understanding that it can be a significant hurdle, careful deck construction is essential. Including cards that don’t target a specific color or that use board wipes can neutralize threats like the chameleon. A card like Doom Blade will falter, but a non-discriminatory spell like Day of Judgment won’t hesitate.
Furthermore, Kavu Chameleon’s strength can be indirectly turned into a weakness. Since the ability to change color isn’t utilized until you actively do so, quick responses are necessary. Employing instant-speed removal that affects all creatures, like Wrath of God, can catch an unwary opponent off guard. Additionally, utilizing combat tricks or setting up deterrents that discourage attacking, such as deathtouch creatures or those with high toughness, can contain the threat this card presents.
In essence, facing Kavu Chameleon requires a strategy that focuses on universal answers over targeted ones. By incorporating versatile removal and defense in your deck, you can efficiently handle this adaptable creature and maintain control of the game. This approach ensures you’re not caught unprepared by its ability to sidestep targeted spells.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Kavu Chameleon MTG card by a specific set like Invasion and World Championship Decks 2001, 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 Chameleon and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
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- MTG Mint Card
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- Card Hoarder Magic Online
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Printings
The Kavu Chameleon Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2000-10-02 and 2001-08-08. Illustrated by John Howe.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2000-10-02 | Invasion | INV | 191 | 1997 | Normal | Black | John Howe | |
| 2 | 2001-08-08 | World Championship Decks 2001 | WC01 | jt191sb | 1997 | Normal | Gold | John Howe | |
| 3 | 2001-08-08 | World Championship Decks 2001 | WC01 | jt191 | 1997 | Normal | Gold | John Howe |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Kavu Chameleon has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Kavu Chameleon card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2004-10-04 | Counterspells can be cast that target it, but when they resolve they simply don’t counter it since it can’t be countered. |
| 2004-10-04 | The new color replaces all previous colors. |