Kessig Malcontents MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Human Warrior |
| Released | 2012-05-04 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Avacyn Restored |
| Set code | AVR |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 1 |
| Number | 142 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | John Stanko |
Text of card
When Kessig Malcontents enters the battlefield, it deals damage to target player equal to the number of Humans you control.
Discontent is a powerful weapon in the hands of a mob.
Cards like Kessig Malcontents
Stepping into the tribal synergies of Magic: The Gathering, Kessig Malcontents shines among cards that capitalize on creature count. It aligns with the likes of Impact Tremors in the sense that it deals damage based on the number of creatures you control. However, Kessig Malcontents brings an immediate and targeted impact upon entry, targeting a single opponent with damage equivalent to the number of Humans you command.
In comparison, Purphoros, God of the Forge takes the concept further by triggering whenever another creature enters the battlefield under your control. Nonetheless, Kessig Malcontents edges out with its flexibility in Human-centered decks and lower mana cost. Conversely, we have Hissing Iguanar, a card that punishes opponents on creature death but doesn’t offer the same explosive entry damage Kessig Malcontents is capable of delivering. This makes Malcontents exceptionally impactful in decks designed to summon multiple Humans in a single turn.
Conclusively, within the realm of creature-based damage dealers, Kessig Malcontents asserts a strong presence, especially for players running Human tribal decks in Magic: The Gathering, combining immediate damage with versatility in a cost-effective package.
Cards similar to Kessig Malcontents by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Kessig Malcontents. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Five-Color Humans | Free form | d00mwake's Pure Modern 5 | |
| Five-color Humans | Modern | Humans | #8 Last Chance Qualifier: Modern |
| Humans | Modern | Humans | Modern Challenge 64 2024-02-10 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Kessig Malcontents bring a unique form of card advantage to the table by potentially dealing damage to an opponent proportional to the number of humans you control when it enters the battlefield. This ability can turn your creature count into direct player damage, essentially converting your board presence into a form of card utility.
Resource Acceleration: Although not directly a resource acceleration card, Kessig Malcontents can be a significant part of a strategy that accelerates your game plan. By potentially lowering your opponent’s life total quickly, it can accelerate the pace of the game in your favor, especially in human-centric decks that can rapidly populate the battlefield.
Instant Speed: While Kessig Malcontents itself does not operate at instant speed, it fits well into decks that operate on a curve that leaves mana open for instant speed responses. Its impact on the board state can be immediate, which when combined with other instant speed threats or interactions, can create a highly reactive and adaptable game strategy.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Kessig Malcontents offers a unique effect, the card requires deploying numerous creatures to maximize its impact, which can lead to difficult decisions about which creatures to retain or play from your hand.
Specific Mana Cost: Its casting cost demands both red and generic mana, making it less flexible for multicolored decks that might struggle to meet the red mana requirement consistently.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a converted mana cost of three, there are alternative cards available that can cause immediate damage to an opponent or offer more versatile effects at a lower mana cost. This can put Kessig Malcontents at a disadvantage when building an efficient deck.
Reasons to Include Kessig Malcontents in Your Collection
Versatility: Kessig Malcontents can seamlessly integrate into a variety of tribal and aggressive decks, particularly those that rally around Human creatures. The ability to deal damage upon entry makes it a flexible choice for fast-paced strategies seeking to lower the opponent’s life total effectively.
Combo Potential: With the right board state, Kessig Malcontents can turn into a devastating combo piece, working in tandem with creature cloning or bounce mechanics to unleash a barrage of direct damage. This has synergies with cards that manipulate the number of creatures on the battlefield, dramatically amplifying its impact.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where creature-based strategies are prominent, Kessig Malcontents is particularly potent. Its ability to operate as both a threat and a means of direct damage keeps opponents on their toes, making it a relevant addition to any collection aiming to challenge creature-heavy or life-gain decks.
How to beat
Kessig Malcontents can be a real challenge to face in the right deck, unleashing potentially game-ending damage with its enter-the-battlefield ability. It scales with the number of Humans you control, which means that early disruption is key. To minimize the impact of Kessig Malcontents, consider using removal spells on key Human creatures before the Malcontents hit the board, thus reducing the pool it counts for its damage output.
Board wipes are especially effective as they not only deal with Kessig Malcontents but also with the swath of other Humans that might amplify its effect. Counterspells prove useful the moment your opponent attempts to cast it, preventing the damage entirely. Ensuring you have a way to deal with creatures once they’re on the battlefield or preventing crucial spells from resolving in the first place can turn the tide against Kessig Malcontents and similar threats.
Keeping a watchful eye on your opponent’s creature count and strategically timing your removal and counterspells can make all the difference, helping you maintain control of the game and emerge victorious even when faced with the malice of Kessig Malcontents.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Kessig Malcontents MTG card by a specific set like Avacyn Restored, 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 Malcontents 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
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Kessig Malcontents has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Kessig Malcontents card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2012-05-01 | The number of Humans you control is counted when the enters-the-battlefield ability resolves. |