Kessig Cagebreakers MTG Card


Generates card advantage by creating a Wolf token for each creature card in your graveyard. Enhances your board presence by utilizing the graveyard to increase creature count rapidly. Perfect for synergistic decks looking to surprise opponents with a sudden influx of creatures.
Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Human Rogue
Power 3
Toughness 4

Text of card

Whenever Kessig Cagebreakers attacks, put a 2/2 green Wolf creature token onto the battlefield tapped and attacking for each creature card in your graveyard.

"They put bars on these noble beasts and then wonder why werewolves target our towns."


Cards like Kessig Cagebreakers

Kessig Cagebreakers stands out in Magic: The Gathering as a powerful card for strategies that leverage creature cards in the graveyard. It shares some similarities with other MTG cards that capitalize on graveyard play, such as Spider Spawning, which also creates creature tokens based on the number of creature cards in your graveyard. However, Kessig Cagebreakers offers an ongoing effect with the potential to generate tokens every time it attacks, unlike Spider Spawning’s one-time use.

The card Izoni, Thousand-Eyed presents another interesting comparison. Izoni also benefits from a graveyard abundant with creatures by creating Insect tokens upon entering the battlefield. While Kessig Cagebreakers requires an attack to generate tokens, Izoni provides immediate utility and potential life gain, offering a different tactical angle. Another card worth mentioning is Lord of Extinction, whose power and toughness are each equal to the number of all cards in all graveyards. While not a direct token generator, it synergizes well with Kessig Cagebreakers by potentially enhancing the power of those tokens.

Evaluating Kessig Cagebreakers against these similar cards displays its unique position in MTG. It thrives in decks focused on self-mill or creature recursion, positioning itself as a recurring threat that can turn the tide of a game with its formidable token-generating ability.

Spider Spawning - MTG Card versions
Izoni, Thousand-Eyed - MTG Card versions
Lord of Extinction - MTG Card versions
Spider Spawning - MTG Card versions
Izoni, Thousand-Eyed - MTG Card versions
Lord of Extinction - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Kessig Cagebreakers by color, type and mana cost

Thicket Basilisk - MTG Card versions
Cockatrice - MTG Card versions
Ironroot Treefolk - MTG Card versions
Elvish Bard - MTG Card versions
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Spined Wurm - MTG Card versions
Rabid Wolverines - MTG Card versions
Deadly Insect - MTG Card versions
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Spring-Leaf Avenger - MTG Card versions
Okina Nightwatch - MTG Card versions
Primeval Force - MTG Card versions
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Copperhoof Vorrac - MTG Card versions
Tel-Jilad Lifebreather - MTG Card versions
Llanowar Behemoth - MTG Card versions
Bramble Elemental - MTG Card versions
Indrik Stomphowler - MTG Card versions
Thicket Basilisk - MTG Card versions
Cockatrice - MTG Card versions
Ironroot Treefolk - MTG Card versions
Elvish Bard - MTG Card versions
Durkwood Boars - MTG Card versions
Elven Riders - MTG Card versions
Redwood Treefolk - MTG Card versions
Spined Wurm - MTG Card versions
Rabid Wolverines - MTG Card versions
Deadly Insect - MTG Card versions
Vintara Elephant - MTG Card versions
Spring-Leaf Avenger - MTG Card versions
Okina Nightwatch - MTG Card versions
Primeval Force - MTG Card versions
Spitting Spider - MTG Card versions
Copperhoof Vorrac - MTG Card versions
Tel-Jilad Lifebreather - MTG Card versions
Llanowar Behemoth - MTG Card versions
Bramble Elemental - MTG Card versions
Indrik Stomphowler - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Kessig Cagebreakers potentially creates a significant card advantage. When it attacks, you get a 2/2 Wolf creature token for each creature card in your graveyard, which can quickly outnumber your opponent’s defenses.

Resource Acceleration: This card can be a key component in boosting your board presence exponentially. Rather than investing in casting multiple creatures, you focus your resources on bringing this single card into play, which then leverages your graveyard as a resource to accelerate your creature count.

Instant Speed: While Kessig Cagebreakers doesn’t operate at instant speed itself, it synergizes well with cards that fill your graveyard at instant speed. This tactic can catch your opponent off guard by suddenly enhancing the impact of Kessig Cagebreakers’ ability when it attacks.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Kessig Cagebreakers requires a graveyard setup to be effective. Without adequate creature cards in your graveyard, its ability is significantly diminished, potentially leading to wasted turns.

Specific Mana Cost: As a card that demands both green mana and a total of five mana to cast, Kessig Cagebreakers may not seamlessly fit into all deck types, particularly those that run on tight mana curves or multiple colors.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of five, this card arrives later in the game. There are other creatures or spells that offer immediate impacts on the board state for the same or lower mana investment, making Kessig Cagebreakers less competitive in faster-paced games.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Kessig Cagebreakers commands a presence in decks that revolve around graveyard strategies. Its ability to create numerous Wolf tokens based on creatures in your graveyard makes it a flexible choice for midrange and aggro decks alike.

Combo Potential: This card plays well with self-mill and sacrifice effects, allowing the creation of a vast token army that can quickly turn the tide of a game. When combined with cards that buff tokens or grant trample, it helps to close games efficiently.

Meta-Relevance: In a climate ripe with graveyard synergies and creature-based strategies, Kessig Cagebreakers finds its footing by exploiting these elements. It becomes an even more potent force in metas where graveyards are left unchecked, making it a must-have for players aiming to outpace their opponents with overwhelming board presence.


How to Beat

Kessig Cagebreakers is a card that can quickly turn the tide of a game in Magic: The Gathering. To beat this formidable card, understanding its strength is key. It shines in a deck filled with numerous creatures in the graveyard, spawning a wealth of Wolf tokens thence becoming a formidable force. Hence, graveyard management is crucial. Cards such as Tormod’s Crypt or Relic of Progenitus can be efficient tools to hinder Kessig Cagebreakers from reaching its full potential by purging the graveyard before those Wolves can be unleashed.

Another strategy is to remove the Kessig Cagebreakers from play before it can capitalize on a stocked graveyard. Efficient creature removal spells like Path to Exile or the classic Doom Blade work wonders in eliminating this threat directly from the battlefield. Furthermore, countering the creature spell with the likes of Cancel or Mana Leak can prevent it from hitting the field in the first place, which is often the most effective solution. Lastly, keep pressure on your opponent to force them to deploy resources, preventing them from setting up the ideal conditions for Kessig Cagebreakers to thrive.

In all, while Kessig Cagebreakers can be a relentless card when played in the right circumstances, savvy play and the right countermeasures can assure control over the game remains in your favor.


BurnMana Recommendations

Enhancing your MTG ensemble with Kessig Cagebreakers can be a game-changing move for players who appreciate a powerful graveyard-centric strategy. As we’ve explored, the strength of this card lies in its ability to utilize your graveyard as a resource to amplify your board state. Whether you are constructing a multifaceted midrange deck or an aggressive deck aiming to outnumber your opponents, including Kessig Cagebreakers could potentially elevate your strategy to new heights. Dive deeper into the synergies and explore more strategies to dominate your next encounter. Let your journey toward MTG mastery continue, and learn how to best integrate Kessig Cagebreakers into your collection.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Kessig Cagebreakers MTG card by a specific set like Innistrad and Commander 2015, 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 Kessig Cagebreakers and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Kessig Cagebreakers Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2011-09-30 and 2022-12-02. Illustrated by Wayne England.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12011-09-30InnistradISD 1892003NormalBlackWayne England
22015-11-13Commander 2015C15 1872015NormalBlackWayne England
32017-06-09Commander AnthologyCMA 1222015NormalBlackWayne England
42021-09-24Midnight Hunt CommanderMIC 1422015NormalBlackWayne England
52022-12-02Jumpstart 2022J22 6812015NormalBlackWayne England

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Kessig Cagebreakers has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Kessig Cagebreakers card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2011-09-22 Although the tokens are attacking, they were never declared as attacking creatures (for purposes of abilities that trigger whenever a creature attacks, for example).
2011-09-22 You count the number of creature cards in your graveyard when the triggered ability resolves.
2011-09-22 You declare which player or planeswalker each token is attacking as you put it onto the battlefield. It doesn't have to be the same player or planeswalker Kessig Cagebreakers is attacking.