Kird Ape MTG Card
Card sets | Released in 13 setsSee all |
Mana cost | |
Converted mana cost | 1 |
Rarity | Common |
Type | Creature — Ape |
Power | 1 |
Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
Kird Ape gains +1/+2 if you have any forests in play.
Cards like Kird Ape
Kird Ape is a classic creature card within MTG that has made its mark as a red mana cost staple, sporting an efficient one mana cost for a 1/1 that gets a significant power boost. Its nearest rival, Loam Lion, shares a similar stat boost but aligns with white mana and gains the bonus off of a Plains rather than a Forest. The adaptability of Kird Ape allows it to excel in decks that benefit from having both red and green mana sources, giving it an edge over its feline counterpart.
Another kindred spirit in the realm of one-drop creatures is Wild Nacatl, which benefits from both Plains and Mountains, making it more versatile in multicolored decks. However, Wild Nacatl’s need for two different land types to reach its full potential can make it slightly less reliable early game compared to the straightforward Kird Ape. Experiment One is yet another option, coming with the potential to grow bigger over time, but it lacks the immediate board presence and requires additional creature plays to outpace the raw efficiency of Kird Ape.
Assessing the power and utility of these comparable cards, Kird Ape clearly holds a special place in MTG for its immediate impact and ease of integration into red and green decks, bolstering its esteemed reputation in the game’s history.
Cards similar to Kird Ape by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Kird Ape. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Kird Ape does not directly offer card drawing capabilities, it represents powerful card efficiency by potentially providing a strong creature early in the game. Its offensive presence for minimal mana investment can pressure your opponent into using more resources to handle it, indirectly contributing to card advantage.
Resource Acceleration: Kird Ape itself isn’t a direct source of resource acceleration. However, its low casting cost enables a rapid board presence that can accelerate the rate at which you inflict damage and shape the tempo of the game in your favor.
Instant Speed: The Kird Ape doesn’t have a direct connection to instant speed interactions, but in deck archetypes centered around quick responses, such as R/G Aggro or Zoo decks, this efficient creature fits perfectly, as it supports maintaining pressure while holding up mana for instant speed spells.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Kird Ape does not have a direct discard requirement; as a classic creature from the early sets, its playability remains straightforward without additional card sacrifices.
Specific Mana Cost: While Kird Ape’s initial cost is manageable with one red mana, optimizing its power hinges on the presence of a Forest which earmarks it for red-green decks and can be restrictive.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Despite being a one-drop, to unleash Kird Ape’s full potential and attain a 2/3 creature, you must also have a Forest on the battlefield. In the contemporary format, where efficiency is key, this requirement may appear as an indirect high mana cost given the competitive alternatives available.
Reasons to Include Kird Ape in Your Collection
Versatility: Kird Ape is a classic low-cost creature that thrives in a variety of Red and Green decks. Easy to cast with just one red mana, it fits seamlessly into aggro strategies and is equally at home in multi-color brews thanks to its power-boosting land synergy.
Combo Potential: As a creature that can quickly become a 2/3 for one mana, Kird Ape works well with landfall mechanics and other deck styles that manipulate land types. It synergizes with effects that allow you to play additional lands or change land types on the fly.
Meta-Relevance: In a landscape where early board presence is crucial, Kird Ape provides an aggressive opening play. It’s particularly effective in formats where fast starts are key to victory, making this classic card one to keep in your arsenal for the ever-shifting tides of the competitive scene.
How to Beat Kird Ape
Kird Ape is a classic creature card celebrated for its efficiency in aggressive Red and Green decks. The card’s strength emanates from its potential to be a 2/3 creature for a single red mana, conditional on controlling a forest. This makes it a formidable first-turn play, setting a swift tempo for the game. To effectively counter Kird Ape, players should look at early game removal options that can neutralize it before the card’s power can be leveraged.
Timing is key against Kird Ape. Utilizing spells like Fatal Push or Path to Exile can provide a cost-effective method to remove the ape from the battlefield. Additionally, it’s important to mitigate the Ape’s forest synergy; thus, land disruption techniques can impede your opponent’s strategy. Applying counter strategies such as these not only deals with Kird Ape itself but can also hamper the opponent’s momentum, which is vital in a game against any aggressive MTG deck.
As with any card, understanding the deck archetype in which Kird Ape thrives grants an advantage. Preparing sideboard options tailored to combat fast, creature-heavy strategies ensures that your deck won’t fall prey to the aggressive start that Kird Ape embodies.
BurnMana Recommendations
Exploring the depth of MTG’s strategic gameplay is both thrilling and rewarding. Kird Ape remains a tried-and-true choice for players valuing a sturdy creature for minimal resource investment, especially within red-green deck dynamics. As you continue to enhance your MTG expertise, remember the importance of adaptability and the synergies that can turn a simple card into a formidable force on the battlefield. For those keen to maximize their deck’s potential, understanding classic cards like Kird Ape can offer practical insights. Ready to deepen your strategic arsenal and uncover the full potential of your collection? Embark on this journey with us and refine your strategies to secure your next victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Kird Ape MTG card by a specific set like Arabian Nights and Foreign Black Border, 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 Kird Ape and other MTG cards:
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- 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
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Printings
The Kird Ape Magic the Gathering card was released in 12 different sets between 1993-12-17 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
# | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1993-12-17 | Arabian Nights | ARN | 40 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Ken Meyer, Jr. | |
2 | 1994-04-01 | Foreign Black Border | FBB | 161 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Ken Meyer, Jr. | |
3 | 1994-04-01 | Revised Edition | 3ED | 161 | 1993 | Normal | White | Ken Meyer, Jr. | |
4 | 1994-06-21 | Summer Magic / Edgar | SUM | 161 | 1993 | Normal | White | Ken Meyer, Jr. | |
5 | 2000-10-01 | Beatdown Box Set | BTD | 39 | 1997 | Normal | White | Ken Meyer, Jr. | |
6 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 31383 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Ken Meyer, Jr. | ||
7 | 2005-07-29 | Ninth Edition | 9ED | 199 | 2003 | Normal | White | Terese Nielsen | |
8 | 2005-07-29 | Ninth Edition | 9ED | 199★ | 2003 | Normal | Black | Terese Nielsen | |
9 | 2009-08-28 | From the Vault: Exiled | V09 | 6 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Terese Nielsen | |
10 | 2011-09-02 | Duel Decks: Ajani vs. Nicol Bolas | DDH | 2 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Terese Nielsen | |
11 | 2016-06-10 | Eternal Masters | EMA | 137 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Terese Nielsen | |
12 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 993 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Terese Nielsen | |
13 | The List | PLST | EMA-137 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Terese Nielsen |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Kird Ape has restrictions
Format | Legality |
---|---|
Oldschool | Legal |
Commander | Legal |
Legacy | Legal |
Paupercommander | Legal |
Modern | Legal |
Oathbreaker | Legal |
Pauper | Legal |
Vintage | Legal |
Duel | Legal |
Predh | Legal |