Kiora, the Crashing Wave MTG Card


Kiora excels in generating card advantage and strategically impeding board threats with her -1 ability. Her +1 and -5 abilities enable resource acceleration and potent token generation, respectively. This planeswalker thrives in meta-relevant decks, counteracting threats and dominating late-game scenarios.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityMythic
TypeLegendary Planeswalker — Kiora
Loyalty 2

Text of card

+1: Until your next turn, prevent all damage that would be dealt to and dealt by target permanent an opponent controls. -1: Draw a card. You may play an additional land this turn. -5: You get an emblem with "At the beginning of your end step, put a 9/9 blue Kraken creature token onto the battlefield."


Cards like Kiora, the Crashing Wave

Diving into the realm of planeswalkers in MTG brings us to Kiora, the Crashing Wave, a versatile card finding its kin in the rich tapestry of similar powerful entities. A close relative in function and form is Tamiyo, the Moon Sage, which offers utility in card draw and control of the battlefield. Kiora’s ability to indefinitely lock down a permanent mirrors Tamiyo’s freezing touch, albeit on a smaller scale and with the potential upside of resetting after her -1 ability.

Jace, Architect of Thought is another contemporary, with a passive that disrupts opponents’ attacking creatures, much like Kiora’s plus ability protects from harm, albeit in a more selective manner. Jace’s card filtering might not seem as substantial as Kiora’s potential for a massive kraken summoning, but its immediacy can be crucial. Lastly, Garruk Wildspeaker stands out with his ability to untap lands, similar to Kiora’s ramping potential, but he diverges with his creature-centric approach, providing a stark contrast to Kiora’s focus on sea monsters.

Between these titans of the multiverse, Kiora, the Crashing Wave forges her own path, balancing board control, and the thrill of unleashing deep-sea behemoths, cementing her unique position in the pantheon of planeswalkers.

Tamiyo, the Moon Sage - MTG Card versions
Jace, Architect of Thought - MTG Card versions
Garruk Wildspeaker - MTG Card versions
Tamiyo, the Moon Sage - MTG Card versions
Jace, Architect of Thought - MTG Card versions
Garruk Wildspeaker - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Kiora, the Crashing Wave by color, type and mana cost

Tamiyo, Collector of Tales - MTG Card versions
Kiora, Master of the Depths - MTG Card versions
Oko, the Ringleader - MTG Card versions
Tamiyo, Collector of Tales - MTG Card versions
Kiora, Master of the Depths - MTG Card versions
Oko, the Ringleader - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Kiora, the Crashing Wave. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
BantBant Free formSet Roulette Feburary 2024

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Kiora the Crashing Wave excels in generating card advantage with her -1 ability, enabling you to draw a card while also impeding a threat on the board. This balanced exchange can quickly tip the scales in your favor during the mid to late game.

Resource Acceleration: Her +1 ability to untap a land or creature encourages resource acceleration. By doubling the utility of a powerful land or enabling another use of a creature with a tap ability, Kiora helps you make the most out of your in-game assets.

Instant Speed: Although Kiora herself does not operate at instant speed, her ability to leave behind a meaningful impact before your opponent’s turn gives you a strategic advantage. By using her abilities wisely, you can maintain a reactive stance while progressing your own board state.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Kiora the Crashing Wave doesn’t outright require a discard, but her -1 ability offering protection benefits primarily when you have creatures to guard. Without a decent board presence, her utility can be restricted, potentially making her abilities feel like a sunk cost.

Specific Mana Cost: With a mana cost that specifically demands green and blue, Kiora the Crashing Wave may not fit easily into multicolor decks that don’t already have a solid mana base in these colors, potentially limiting her versatility in deck construction.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Clocking in at four mana (two general, one green, one blue), she may seem steep for planeswalkers, especially when considering others that come into play sooner or with more impactful immediate abilities. For decks seeking efficient tempo plays, Kiora’s cost might raise eyebrows among players optimizing for quicker board influence.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Kiora the Crashing Wave offers a dynamic range of abilities that can enhance various deck strategies. Her ability to protect herself, while simultaneously locking down a threat each turn, allows her to fit seamlessly into control and midrange decks alike.

Combo Potential: Kiora’s -5 ability to give you an emblem with the power to create 9/9 Kraken tokens every turn can be a game-ending condition. Paired with cards that manipulate or untap tokens, her potential on the battlefield skyrockets, enabling devastating combos.

Meta-Relevance: With the shifting landscape of the current meta, a planeswalker like Kiora can tilt the balance with her low casting cost and high impact. Her presence can counteract an array of popular threats, maintain board presence, and if unchecked, can lead you to dominating the late game with an unstoppable sea monster legion.


How to Beat Kiora the Crashing Wave

Kiora the Crashing Wave is an intriguing planeswalker in the vast universe of Magic: The Gathering. With abilities that affect the board state by neutralizing threats and creating a powerful emblem, she can be a tough opponent to deal with. The key to overcoming this card lies in aggression and timing. Direct damage spells or those that can bypass her loyalty ability—like uncounterable burn spells or haste creatures—can remove her from the field before she becomes a problem.

Another tactic is to use cards that can target planeswalkers directly to deplete her loyalty counters. Instant speed spells are particularly effective as they can be cast during the opponent’s turn, limiting their ability to respond and protect Kiora. Counterspells can also be advantageous, preventing Kiora from ever entering the battlefield if timed correctly. Additionally, focusing on developing a more dominant board presence can pressure an opponent using Kiora, forcing them to defend rather than advance their game plan.

Ultimately, understanding Kiora’s strengths and weaknesses is crucial. Players should prioritize maintaining a proactive approach and employing pre-emptive measures to ensure that Kiora the Crashing Wave does not turn the tide against them in a match.


BurnMana Recommendations

Delve deep into the strategic ebb and flow of Magic the Gathering with Kiora the Crashing Wave. Offering resource acceleration, card advantage, and the formidable power to summon vast Kraken tokens, Kiora is a worthy inclusion in any player’s deck arsenal. Adapt your tactics and outmaneuver opponents, capitalizing on her abilities to shift the game in your favor. For those seeking an edge in both control and combo-centric strategies, Kiora can be the cornerstone that defines your deck’s identity. Elevate your gameplay with this dynamic planeswalker. Join our community at BurnMana, sharpen your skills, and let the crashing wave of victory lift your spirits and your win rate.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Kiora, the Crashing Wave MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Born of the Gods, 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, the Crashing Wave and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Kiora, the Crashing Wave Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2014-02-07 and 2015-02-27. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 596512015NormalBlackTyler Jacobson
22014-02-07Born of the GodsBNG 1492003NormalBlackScott M. Fischer
32015-02-27Duel Decks: Elspeth vs. KioraDDO 342015NormalBlackTyler Jacobson

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Kiora, the Crashing Wave has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2014-02-01 If Kiora leaves the battlefield after her second ability is activated but before it resolves, you’ll still be able to play an additional land after the ability resolves.
2014-02-01 Kiora’s first ability can target any permanent an opponent controls, not just one that can deal or be dealt damage.
2014-02-01 Kiora’s second ability allows you to play an additional land during your main phase. Doing so follows the normal timing rules for playing lands. In particular, you won’t play a land as that ability resolves. The ability will fully resolve (and you’ll draw a card, perhaps a land you’ll play later) first.
2014-02-01 Once the first ability resolves, the damage prevention continues to apply even if that permanent changes controllers.
2014-02-01 The effect of the second ability is cumulative with other effects that let you play additional lands, such as the one from Rites of Flourishing.