Alabaster Kirin MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Kirin |
| Abilities | Flying, Vigilance |
| Released | 2014-09-26 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Khans of Tarkir |
| Set code | KTK |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 3 |
| Number | 4 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Igor Kieryluk |
Key Takeaways
- Flying and vigilance provide offensive consistency and defensive reliability in various strategic scenarios.
- Mana flexibility and instant-speed play complement Kirin’s vigilant nature, offering tactical board advantages.
- Consider Alabaster Kirin for its unique blend of traits, particularly in decks valuing defensive evasion.
Text of card
Flying, vigilance
The appearance of a kirin signifies the passing or arrival of an important figure. As word of sightings spread, all the khans took it to mean themselves. Only the shaman Chianul thought of Sarkhan Vol.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Alabaster Kirin’s flying ability gives you an airborne advantage, often allowing this creature to remain unblocked by non-flying defenders. It essentially provides a strategic upper hand by consistently dealing damage to your opponent and maintaining pressure on them each turn.
Resource Acceleration: Although the Alabaster Kirin doesn’t directly contribute to resource acceleration like some cards, its vigilant attribute allows you to remain offensive while still having a capable defender on the field. This dual utility can assist in conserving resources, as you do not need to commit additional cards to defend after an attack, potentially preserving your hand and board presence.
Instant Speed: The Alabaster Kirin itself may not possess an instant-speed ability, but its vigilant nature means your mana can be more efficiently allocated during your turn. This leaves open the option to cast instant-speed spells or abilities during your opponent’s turn without sacrificing your board state, which strategically can put you ahead, especially when planning for the next phases of the game.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While not applicable to Alabaster Kirin specifically, it is important for players to be aware that some cards in their deck might necessitate discarding as part of their casting or ability costs. This can become a disadvantage when you’re looking to maintain a full hand to counter opponents’ moves or to keep your options open.
Specific Mana Cost: The Alabaster Kirin requires a precise blend of mana to cast, including one plains and two generic mana. This can pose a challenge in multicolored decks where mana resources are split among various colors, potentially delaying the summoning of this creature to your battlefield.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Allocating four mana to summon Alabaster Kirin can be quite the investment, especially when you consider alternative creatures available for the same cost or less. Players could find themselves weighing the Kirin’s flying and vigilance abilities against other creatures that might offer greater power, additional abilities, or synergies within their deck’s strategy, leading them to opt for those options over the Kirin.
Reasons to Include Alabaster Kirin in Your Collection
Versatility: Alabaster Kirin is a multifunctional addition to any deck that thrives on flying and vigilance abilities. Its defensive and offensive capabilities make it a solid choice for both protecting against aerial threats and remaining untapped to block.
Combo Potential: This creature can synergize well in decks that capitalize on its evasion and vigilance. With the right combination of enchantments or equipment, Alabaster Kirin’s inherent abilities can become significantly more impactful on the board.
Meta-Relevance: In a game environment where flying creatures are key, Alabaster Kirin can be an asset. Its resilience against certain removal spells and ability to remain a constant presence on the battlefield makes it a card worth considering for decks that operate in the current meta.
How to beat Alabaster Kirin
Alabaster Kirin emerges as an intriguing creature card with its combination of flying and vigilance, allowing players to maintain a robust defense while applying aerial offense. Its presence in a deck brings a dimension of tactical versatility, similar to renowned cards such as Serra Angel. However, the strategies to counter Alabaster Kirin are manifold.
Removal spells are the direct route to handle this celestial creature. Spells like Doom Blade or Murder offer an immediate solution to the Kirin problem, bypassing its vigilance entirely. Enchantment-based removal, such as Pacifism, can neutralize it without sending it to the graveyard, which can be advantageous against decks that retrieve creatures from the graveyard. Cards like Silumgar’s Scorn or Negate are also effective, provided you can counter Alabaster Kirin as it’s cast.
Ultimately, the keys to besting Alabaster Kirin in a match lie in preemptive control and conditional removal. Keeping up mana for counterspells or holding onto targeted removal until it makes its entrance will ensure that this noble creature doesn’t dominate the skies for long.
Cards like Alabaster Kirin
Alabaster Kirin is a unique creature that exists within the vast library of Magic: The Gathering cards. This spirit beast card is often compared to other flying creatures like Thundering Roc for their ability to soar over ground-bound defenders. Much like Alabaster Kirin, Thundering Roc has the flying advantage, but it doesn’t have vigilance. This makes the Kirin a more defensively viable option, as it can both attack and block in the same turn cycle without tapping.
Looking towards Segovian Angel as another point of comparison, we notice that the Angel shares vigilance with our Kirin, but it falls short when it comes the power and toughness, being just a 1/1. This makes Alabaster Kirin a sturdier choice in a deck that values evasive creatures with high survivability. Lastly, considering Guardian of the Guildpact, while it doesn’t boast the flying trait, its protection from monocolored spells can often offer it survival in environments where Alabaster Kirin is vulnerable.
All in all, MTG enthusiasts often weigh their options between these varied airborne entities, but Alabaster Kirin’s blend of evasion and defensive readiness often win favor for players seeking to maintain a presence both during their own turn and their opponent’s.
Cards similar to Alabaster Kirin by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Alabaster Kirin MTG card by a specific set like Khans of Tarkir, 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 Alabaster Kirin and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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 Alabaster Kirin has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Guide to Vigilance card ability
In the strategic universe of Magic: The Gathering (MTG), the vigilance ability stands out as a powerful tool for players. This potent keyword allows creatures to attack without tapping, keeping them ready and alert to defend against incoming threats. It represents a perfect balance between aggression and defense, offering a dynamic approach to gameplay. Lets dive deeper into how vigilance shapes the battlefield.
