Kiora, Master of the Depths Emblem MTG Card
| Type | Emblem — Kiora |
| Abilities | Fight |
| Released | 2015-10-02 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Battle for Zendikar |
| Set code | BFZ |
| Number | 14 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Emblem |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Jason Chan |
Text of card
Whenever a creature enters the battlefield under your control, you may have it fight target creature.
Cards like Kiora, Master of the Depths Emblem
Kiora, Master of the Depths Emblem is a unique effect in Magic: The Gathering that stems from the planeswalker card Kiora, Master of the Depths. This emblem grants an ability that doubles the number of creatures and land you control with its activation. When compared to other emblems and effects, the closest parallel is likely the emblem from another powerful planeswalker, such as Garruk Wildspeaker, whose emblem also significantly enhances lands by untapping two of them each turn.
Exploring similar ground, we observe Doubling Season, a card that doubles the counters and tokens you produce. While Doubling Season affects a broader range of elements than Kiora’s emblem, it is a permanent that can be removed, unlike an emblem. Conversely, a card like Mirari’s Wake boosts the power of creatures and the mana from lands, but does not replicate them. This demonstrates a shared goal of amplifying board state without the redundancy Kiora’s emblem provides.
When considering the impact on gameplay, Kiora’s emblem’s ability to rapidly escalate the number of available resources makes it a formidable power. It aligns with MTG’s theme of exponential growth and control, securing its position as a remarkable game finisher when compared to other similar cards.
Cards similar to Kiora, Master of the Depths Emblem by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Kiora, Master of the Depths emblem’s ability to untap up to one target creature and one target land can sustain your card flow by allowing additional draws or plays when paired with creatures or lands that benefit from being untapped.
Resource Acceleration: This emblem potentially doubles your mana access each turn by untapping a land, facilitating faster execution of high-cost spells and increasing the speed at which you can deploy your threats.
Instant Speed: While the emblem itself isn’t a spell, the effects it enables can synergize beautifully with instant speed interaction by freeing up mana and creatures that might have been committed earlier in the turn, thus bolstering your strategic flexibility.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One major challenge with using the emblem acquired from Kiora, Master of the Depths is that it incentivizes holding onto extra creatures in your hand to make the most of the emblem’s ability. This might lead to situations where you’re forced to discard potentially important cards to ensure you can activate the emblem’s power, which could be a setback if you’re already struggling with card advantage.
Specific Mana Cost: To even consider getting the emblem from Kiora, Master of the Depths, you first need to cast her, which requires both green and blue mana. This specific mana cost necessitates that decks have a solid mana base built to accommodate multicolored cards, potentially limiting the emblem’s feasibility to certain deck archetypes that can reliably produce both types of mana.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Achieving the emblem from Kiora requires not only a substantial initial investment of four mana to cast her but also additional turns to accumulate the loyalty necessary for her ultimate ability. Given the speed of some MTG formats, the investment to obtain this emblem might be considered high compared to other strategies that can develop your board or impact the game more immediately.
Reasons to Include Kiora, Master of the Depths Emblem in Your Collection
Versatility: Players seeking a boost in their sea creature strategies will find Kiora’s emblem grants unprecedented power, allowing their creatures to fight or become huge threats with untapping abilities.
Combo Potential: The emblem from Kiora, Master of the Depths harmonizes with tap/untap mechanics, meaning it can synergize with cards that generate value each time they’re activated, setting the stage for game-winning combos.
Meta-Relevance: In environments heavy on creature-based strategies, the emblem’s ability to consistently untap a significant portion of your land and creatures can give you the upper hand, keeping you one step ahead of opponents.
How to beat
Confronted with the Kiora, Master of the Depths emblem in Magic: The Gathering can be a daunting challenge due to its ability to put an overwhelming number of deep-sea behemoths on the battlefield. The emblem’s power lies in its perpetual ability to summon a Kraken, Leviathan, Octopus, or Serpent creature onto the field whenever a player casts a spell. To navigate these treacherous waters, shrewd strategy is essential.
Key to overcoming this emblem is to disrupt the opponent’s ability to cast spells, thereby nullifying the emblem’s effect. Spell counter strategies can be particularly effective, as they prevent the summoning trigger from occurring. Employing exile effects that can remove the emblem from the game altogether may be the most straightforward solution, however, such opportunities are rare and should be seized when presented. Board wipes are also valuable, removing multiple creatures at once before they can dominate the game. Ultimately, a well-timed play that neutralizes the emblem’s advantage or a focus on controlling the board may very well turn the tides in your favor.
Remember, the key to besting this formidable emblem is through careful planning and smart, reactive gameplay, ensuring that the deep-sea titans never get a chance to make waves.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Kiora, Master of the Depths Emblem MTG card by a specific set like Battle for Zendikar, 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 Kiora, Master of the Depths Emblem 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