Kelsien, the Plague MTG Card

Card Pros

Card Advantage: When discussing Kelsien the Plague, it’s important to note its ability to efficiently remove opposing creatures using its deathtouch ability. This generates card advantage by dealing with potentially multiple threats using just one creature, effectively progressing your board state while hindering your opponent’s.

Resource Acceleration: Kelsien offers a unique form of resource acceleration by granting you experience counters each time it kills a creature, leading to an increase in its power. This allows it to become a growing threat that can then take down bigger creatures as the game progresses, making it a self-sustaining resource.

Instant Speed: Paired with cards that grant Kelsien flash, you can eliminate creatures at instant speed. This flexibility can disrupt your opponents’ plans by removing key pieces at critical moments or simply by keeping mana open to respond reactively, making Kelsien a strategic piece in controlling the pace of the match.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Kelsien the Plague doesn’t involve a discard, but its high activation cost might force you to prioritize its abilities over developing your hand, which can feel like a missed opportunity to replenish or diversify your options.

Specific Mana Cost: Kelsien’s specific mana cost of one red, one white, and one black may not be difficult to meet in a dedicated three-color deck, but it does impose a limitation on deck construction and may require a mana base that could be susceptible to disruption.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a total cost of three mana to cast and additional mana to leverage his abilities, Kelsien can be a significant investment in the early to mid-game. This cost means you might be putting other plays on hold, which can hinder the pace at which you establish board presence and control.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Kelsien the Plague is a flexible commander that can slide into Mardu (Red, White, and Black) strategies with ease. His ability to pick off smaller creatures expands your control over the board, making him a solid inclusion in decks that prioritize removal and direct damage.

Combo Potential: Armed with the capacity to accrue experience counters, Kelsien can become a formidable force. Pair him with cards that untap creatures or double damage to transform him into a repeatable removal tool, capable of decimating opponents’ creature bases.

Meta-Relevance: Given his knack for removing key creatures, Kelsien the Plague remains relevant in metas where small utility creatures or commanders play a pivotal role. His assassination ability can disrupt your opponents’ strategies and clear the path for your victory.

How to beat

Kelsien, the Plague is a powerhouse in the right deck, often serving as a commander who can control the board while growing in power. With every creature Kelsien takes down, he gains experience counters, gradually turning into a threat that can’t be ignored. If your goal is to come out on top against a deck piloted by this formidable adversary, focus on strategies that limit Kelsien’s ability to engage in combat or eliminate creatures.

One effective approach is to employ hexproof or shroud-enabling cards, ensuring that your creatures are beyond the reach of Kelsien’s targeted removal abilities. Additionally, consider using board wipes to clear the field before Kelsien amasses too many experience counters. Including instants that can neutralize threats or give your creatures indestructibility at crucial moments can also turn the tide in your favor. Reflection on these measures and careful planning are paramount to overcoming a deck helmed by Kelsien, the Plague.

Ultimately, when facing such a versatile and escalating commander, adaptation and prediction are key elements. Successfully outmaneuvering a Kelsien-led strategy can lead to a satisfying victory in the vast and intricate gameplay landscape of Magic: The Gathering.

BurnMana Recommendations

Exploring strategies within Magic the Gathering often leads to the discovery of influential cards like Kelsien the Plague, a card endowed with the power to reshape the battlefield. As MTG enthusiasts, we delve deep into card synergies and strategic deck building to enhance every player’s experience. Kelsien’s peculiar ability to eliminate threats and grow in power presents a unique opportunity for players aiming to dominate their matches. If Kelsien the Plague has piqued your interest, we invite you to dive deeper with us. Gain insights on optimizing your deck and mastering the art of control with Kelsien at the helm.