Kjeldoran Dead MTG Card
1995-06-03 - Number 137
1997-03-24 - Number 170
1999-04-21 - Number 140
2006-07-21 - Number 137
2008-09-22 - Number 98
| Card sets | Released in 5 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Skeleton |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
When Kjeldoran Dead comes into play, sacrifice a creature. oo B Regenerate
"They shall kill those whom once they loved." —Lim-Dûl, the Necromancer
Cards like Kjeldoran Dead
Kjeldoran Dead is an intriguing card in the realm of Magic: The Gathering for fans of zombie and undead-themed decks. It stands out with its resurrection mechanic, which is not commonly seen and allows for strategic graveyard play. This card brings creatures from the graveyard directly into play, albeit with a sacrifice requirement, which could be seen as a double-edged sword. It resembles Drudge Skeletons to an extent, where both offer ways to maintain a presence on the battlefield, but Kjeldoran Dead’s one-time use contrasts with Drudge Skeletons’ repeated regeneration ability.
Looking at similar mechanics, Reassembling Skeleton offers a more flexible and recurring way to bring creatures back from the graveyard to the battlefield. While it does not have the initial cheaper casting cost like Kjeldoran Dead, it compensates with its resilience and ongoing tactical advantages. Another comparable card is Tenacious Dead, which also returns from the graveyard to the battlefield, though with a slightly higher investment for each recurrence.
These comparisons highlight Kjeldoran Dead as a unique option for MTG players who value aggressive early plays and have a strategy for leveraging its self-sacrifice mechanic, distinguishing it from other zombie and skeleton-themed cards that provide more sustainability.
Cards similar to Kjeldoran Dead by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Kjeldoran Dead’s ability to recruit additional creatures from your graveyard enhances your hand’s value. By sacrificing a snow land, you bring a creature back into play, bolstering your battlefield presence without diminishing your hand resources.
Resource Acceleration: What sets this card apart is its synergy with decks that benefit from self-sacrifice and grave play. By strategically sacrificing the Kjeldoran Dead, it can facilitate powerful combos and enable a more rapid deployment of threats that can overwhelm your opponent.
Instant Speed: This card’s sacrifice ability can be used at instant speed, providing flexibility in response to your opponent’s moves. Be it during combat or in reaction to removal, the instant nature of this action can catch opponents off guard and turn the tide in your favor.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Kjeldoran Dead requires you to sacrifice a creature when it comes into play, presenting a cost that’s particularly steep if you’re trying to maintain board presence or if your strategy hinges on creature synergies.
Specific Mana Cost: Its casting cost demands one black mana, which may not seamlessly fit into multicolor decks that don’t heavily feature black. This necessity for black mana can complicate its inclusion, especially in decks where black is not a primary color.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Charging three mana for a 1/1 creature isn’t the best return on investment, considering other options available. In many decks, three mana can summon creatures with greater impact or provide more strategic advantages than the Kjeldoran Dead’s relatively modest abilities.
Reasons to Include Kjeldoran Dead in Your Collection
Versatility: Kjeldoran Dead is a classic card that can synergize well with decks that focus on sacrificing creatures for greater benefits. Its ability to regenerate can make it a persistent threat on the battlefield.
Combo Potential: This card’s low cost and regenerative property make it a prime candidate for combos in black-centered decks, especially those revolving around death triggers or sacrifice mechanics.
Meta-Relevance: In a metagame that values resilient creatures, Kjeldoran Dead stands out due to its ability to avoid destruction, making it a persistent nuisance for opponents focusing on removal to clear the board.
How to beat
The Kjeldoran Dead is a distinctive creature card in Magic: The Gathering, with a resurrection mechanic that appeals to many players leveraging graveyard strategies. At first glance, overcoming this card may seem challenging due to its ability to rejoin the battlefield from the graveyard; however, with the right strategy, it can be managed efficiently.
One effective approach is to use exile effects. Cards that remove creatures from the game entirely circumvent the Kjeldoran Dead’s regeneration ability, ensuring it cannot return to thwart your plans. Another strategy is to deploy graveyard hate cards which can prevent or impede graveyard-based mechanics, restricting the efficacy of the Kjeldoran Dead’s comeback potential.
Controlling the pace of the game is also pivotal. Avoiding trades that would send the Kjeldoran Dead to the graveyard in the first place limits its ability to come back. Additionally, presenting multiple threats can overwhelm an opponent relying on a single resurrecting creature, putting pressure on them to defend on multiple fronts. By anticipating the Kjeldoran Dead’s return and implementing these tactics, you can control and eventually overpower its seemingly persistent nature.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Kjeldoran Dead MTG card by a specific set like Ice Age and Fifth Edition, 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 Kjeldoran Dead 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
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Printings
The Kjeldoran Dead Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 1995-06-03 and 2008-09-22. Illustrated by Melissa A. Benson.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1995-06-03 | Ice Age | ICE | 137 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Melissa A. Benson | |
| 2 | 1997-03-24 | Fifth Edition | 5ED | 170 | 1997 | Normal | White | Melissa A. Benson | |
| 3 | 1999-04-21 | Classic Sixth Edition | 6ED | 140 | 1997 | Normal | White | Melissa A. Benson | |
| 4 | 2006-07-21 | Coldsnap Theme Decks | CST | 137 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Melissa A. Benson | |
| 5 | 2008-09-22 | Masters Edition II | ME2 | 98 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Melissa A. Benson |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Kjeldoran Dead has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Kjeldoran Dead card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2004-10-04 | The sacrifice is a triggered ability and not a cost. |
| 2008-10-01 | When Kjeldoran Dead’s enters-the-battlefield ability resolves, if you don’t control any other creatures, you must sacrifice Kjeldoran Dead itself. |