Kenessos, Priest of Thassa MTG Card


Kenessos excels in card selection, ensuring resource availability and strategic edge throughout the match. While useful, the card’s discard requirement and specific mana cost can hinder its playability in diverse decks. Despite its higher cost, Kenessos’ versatility and meta relevance make it a valuable addition to blue strategies.
Kenessos, Priest of Thassa - Jumpstart 2022
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityRare
TypeLegendary Creature — Merfolk Cleric
Released2022-12-02
Set symbol
Set nameJumpstart 2022
Set codeJ22
Power 1
Toughness 3
Number13
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byJoshua Raphael

Text of card

If you would scry a number of cards, scry that many cards plus one instead. {GW}: Look at the top card of your library. If it's a Kraken, Leviathan, Octopus, or Serpent creature card, you may put it onto the battlefield. If you don't put the card onto the battlefield, you may put it on the bottom of your library.


Cards like Kenessos, Priest of Thassa

In the enchanting world of MTG, Kenessos, Priest of Thassa stands out with its unique ability to manipulate the battlefield. Comparable to other creatures with tap abilities, Kenessos allows you to gain control of an opponent’s creature, albeit at a steep mana cost. This effect echoes the functionalities of cards like Sower of Temptation and Willbreaker, which similarly aim to shift the control of creatures.

Examining Sower of Temptation, it offers better upfront efficiency by taking control of a target creature for as long as Sower remains on the field. In contrast, Willbreaker requires a continuous triggering of its ability for each desired creature, potentially leading to a higher cumulative mana investment than Kenessos. Despite these differences, Kenessos offers a repeatable effect each turn, which can be a significant advantage in the right deck.

In essence, assessing the dynamic of Kenessos amid other control-altering cards reveals a strategic depth for players who value long-term board control. While not the cheapest or the swiftest, Kenessos brings to the table a powerful, persistent presence that can tip the scales in the late game.

Sower of Temptation - MTG Card versions
Willbreaker - MTG Card versions
Sower of Temptation - MTG Card versions
Willbreaker - MTG Card versions

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Vedalken Heretic - MTG Card versions
Nimbus Swimmer - MTG Card versions
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Merfolk Mistbinder - MTG Card versions
Hydroid Krasis - MTG Card versions
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Ice-Fang Coatl - MTG Card versions
Verazol, the Split Current - MTG Card versions
River Hoopoe - MTG Card versions
Maraleaf Pixie - MTG Card versions
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Card Pros

Card Advantage: Kenessos, Priest of Thassa provides consistent card selection each turn, enhancing your ability to sift through your deck for key pieces or answers, effectively maintaining a resource edge over your opponent.

Resource Acceleration: With its ability to scry at the beginning of your upkeep, Kenessos can help smooth out draws, ensuring you hit your land drops or have access to mana when you need it most, thus subtly accelerating your resource deployment.

Instant Speed: Kenessos can be tapped to use its ability at instant speed, giving you the flexibility to respond to an opponent’s actions during their turn, which keeps you in control of the ebb and flow of the game.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One of the challenges with Kenessos, Priest of Thassa is its requirement that you discard a card to activate one of its key abilities. This condition can be particularly taxing when the game stretches and your hand is depleted, potentially leaving you starved for options.

Specific Mana Cost: Kenessos, Priest of Thassa calls for both blue mana and colorless mana, making it somewhat restrictive in deck building. Decks without a strong blue mana base will find it difficult to cast this card on curve, thereby reducing its overall versatility and effectiveness in a multicolored format.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Kenessos provides valuable utility, its mana cost is on the higher end for its effects. There are alternatives in the game that may offer similar abilities at a lower mana investment, offering a quicker return on value and earlier game presence.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Kenessos, Priest of Thassa offers flexibility for blue-based decks by providing consistent scrying ability, which helps control the flow of cards and maintain a strategic advantage throughout the game.

Combo Potential: This card brings forth opportunities to partner with various library manipulation strategies, enabling powerful combos that can help set up draws or control what your opponent draws next, all while generating a formidable board presence.

Meta-Relevance: In a game state that favors information and battlefield presence, Kenessos, Priest of Thassa holds a spot in the meta by giving players the tools to adjust their tactics in response to an ever-evolving competitive landscape.


How to Beat Kenessos, Priest of Thassa

Kenessos, Priest of Thassa introduces an impactful dynamic within blue decks, often revolving around the control of the game through card advantage and utility. Versatile in its use, Kenessos can become problematic if not addressed promptly. It empowers your opponent with the ability to scry, making their draws more efficient, and its synergy with enchantments can become overwhelming.

To effectively counter this card, timing is essential. Removal spells, particularly those that bypass its hexproof trait when enchanted, are critical. Think along the lines of board wipes that do not target or sacrifice effects that force the opponent to choose what they lose. Additionally, preventing the card from resolving in the first place through countermagic could be key, especially if you anticipate your opponent’s strategy to revolve heavily around Kenessos. Hand disruption tactics can also be leveraged, removing key pieces like Kenessos before they hit the battlefield.

Relying on these strategies can prevent your opponent from capitalizing on the full potential of Kenessos, Priest of Thassa, thus maintaining the balance of the match and enhancing your chances of victory in any game where it may appear.


BurnMana Recommendations

Embarking on an MTG journey with Kenessos, Priest of Thassa can be a rewarding adventure. Its ability to keep your draws consistent and smooth elevates your strategic positioning, making it an asset for blue-centric deck builders. While its mana cost demands attention, the card’s potential to influence the game is notable, fitting well within a meta that prizes adaptability and control. For those eager to refine their deck’s mechanics or enhance their collection with a versatile creature, Kenessos is worth considering. Unlock the secrets of scrying to stay ahead, and learn more with us to harness the full power of Kenessos in your MTG endeavors.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Kenessos, Priest of Thassa MTG card by a specific set like Jumpstart 2022, 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 Kenessos, Priest of Thassa and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Kenessos, Priest of Thassa has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal