Kin-Tree Invocation MTG Card
2014-09-26 - Number 183
2019-11-07 - Number 1442
2020-09-26 - Number KTK-183
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Sorcery |
Key Takeaways
- Generates a powerful creature token mirroring the toughest creature you control, without losing hand advantage.
- Instant speed allows strategic surprise plays while the card’s synergy accelerates board state effectiveness.
- Relying on high toughness creatures can be limiting—be mindful of specific mana needs and potential dead draws.
Text of card
Put an X/X black and green Spirit Warrior creature token onto the battlefield, where X is the greatest toughness among creatures you control.
The passing years add new rings to the tree's trunk, bolstering the spirits that dwell within.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Kin-Tree Invocation creates a creature token with power and toughness each equal to the greatest toughness among creatures you control. This not only puts a potential large creature on the board but does so without losing any cards from your hand, maintaining card advantage.
Resource Acceleration: Because of its synergy with creatures of high toughness, Kin-Tree Invocation can potentially push a large creature onto the battlefield as early as turn two. This accelerated presence can be instrumental, especially in matches that reward quick, significant board state development.
Instant Speed: This spell’s instant nature gives you the flexibility to wait for the optimum moment before committing to the play, whether that’s after blockers are declared, to surprise an opponent during their end step, or as a response to removal, to retain board presence.
Card Cons
Specific Mana Cost: Kin-Tree Invocation requires both black and green mana, which can be restrictive for decks that are not built around the Golgari color combination or a multi-color mana base.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Despite being priced at two mana, this card demands a significant board presence to be effective. In the early game or against removal-heavy decks, generating a large creature to capitalize on Kin-Tree Invocation’s potential can be challenging.
Discard Requirement: While Kin-Tree Invocation itself does not demand a discard, it synergizes with creatures’ power. This means that without creatures in play, ideally ones with high toughness, the card is rendered far less impactful, relegating it to a dead draw in situations where the board state is unfavorable.
Reasons to Include Kin-Tree Invocation in Your Collection
Versatility: Kin-Tree Invocation is a card that can adapt to a variety of deck themes. Its ability to create a creature token whose power and toughness are equal to the greatest toughness among creatures you control makes it a fit for decks focused on toughness, like Doran, the Siege Tower builds, or those looking to make a strong defensive presence on the board.
Combo Potential: This card has synergies with decks that aim to maximize creature toughness. It can be paired with cards that manipulate toughness or with those that increase creature survivability. For example, in combination with high-toughness creatures or effects that bolster creature toughness, Kin-Tree Invocation can create a massive token for a very low cost.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where creature-based strategies are prevalent, Kin-Tree Invocation shines by turning a deck’s natural defensive line into a potent offensive force without additional investment. Its ability to scale based on board state makes it a threat that must be dealt with, fitting well into the current diversity of gameplay strategies.
How to beat
Kin-Tree Invocation presents a unique challenge in Magic the Gathering with its ability to create an imposing creature for just two mana. The spell’s strength stems from its power to mirror the greatest toughness among creatures you control, culminating in the creation of a black and green Spirit Warrior token. This ability can quickly overwhelm opponents especially when you have creatures with formidable toughness on the battlefield.
Addressing this threat requires strategic removal of creatures with high toughness before Kin-Tree Invocation hits the table. Efficient removal spells and board wipes maintain control over the potential size of the token. In essence, limiting the availability of high-toughness creatures negates the power of Kin-Tree Invocation. Graveyard disruption can also be quite effective, as it stymies strategies revolving around resurrecting powerful creatures that enhance the token produced by the Invocation. For those prepared, the Invocation’s spectral warrior can be rendered a mere whisper of a threat.
Ultimately, understanding the delicate interplay between your opponent’s creatures and Kin-Tree Invocation dictates your path to victory. Control the board, disrupt the graveyard, and Kin-Tree’s invocation becomes a hollow gesture, instead of a formidable force.
Cards like Kin-Tree Invocation
Kin-Tree Invocation stands out in the realm of creature-based spells in Magic: The Gathering. It’s akin to cards like Mortal’s Resolve, which offer your creatures an increase in survivability. What sets Kin-Tree Invocation apart is the ability to create a formidable token with power and toughness each equal to the greatest toughness among creatures you control. Unlike Mortal’s Resolve, it doesn’t provide indestructibility yet it has the potential to create a much larger threat on the board.
Moving onto Sudden Strength, the spell shares the theme of utilizing a creature’s toughness to bolster your field presence. However, Sudden Strength temporarily boosts a single creature’s power and toughness, whereas Kin-Tree Invocation offers a lasting token that can affect the board long-term. Another similar spell is Tower Defense, which increases the toughness of all creatures momentarily. While it provides a broader immediate effect, it still doesn’t match the persistent board impact generated by Kin-Tree Invocation’s creature token.
Ultimately, Kin-Tree Invocation represents a unique value by transforming durable creatures into aggressive power on the battlefield, carving a niche within creature-focused strategies in Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Kin-Tree Invocation by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Kin-Tree Invocation MTG card by a specific set like Khans of Tarkir and Mystery Booster, 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 Kin-Tree Invocation 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
Printings
The Kin-Tree Invocation Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2014-09-26 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Ryan Alexander Lee.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2014-09-26 | Khans of Tarkir | KTK | 183 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Ryan Alexander Lee | |
| 2 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 1442 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Ryan Alexander Lee | |
| 3 | The List | PLST | KTK-183 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Ryan Alexander Lee |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Kin-Tree Invocation has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Kin-Tree Invocation card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2014-09-20 | If you control no creatures as Kin-Tree Invocation resolves, you’ll put a 0/0 token onto the battlefield. Unless something else is raising its toughness above 0, it will immediately be put into its owner’s graveyard and then cease to exist. Any abilities that trigger when a creature enters the battlefield or dies will trigger. |
| 2014-09-20 | The value of X is determined only once, as Kin-Tree Invocation resolves. The power and toughness of the Spirit Warrior token doesn’t later change if the greatest toughness among creatures you control changes. |
