Kobold Overlord MTG Card
1994-06-01 - Number 155
2009-09-07 - Number 105
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Kobold |
| Abilities | First strike |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
First strike All your Kobolds gain first strike.
"One for all, all for one; we strike first, and then you're done!" —Oath of the Kobold Musketeers
Cards like Kobold Overlord
The Kobold Overlord card provides unique characteristics in the world of Magic: The Gathering, akin to legendary creatures that lead and empower their respective tribes. It brings to mind the abilities of cards like Goblin King, which grants benefits to goblins, elevating the tribal strategy. Kobold Overlord, however, stands out by targeting kobolds, a creature type less commonly featured. The card delivers a specific advantage to kobold creatures, boosting their prowess on the battlefield.
Looking at other tribal lords, Lord of Atlantis is a classic card that elevates merfolk creatures by granting them power and making them unblockable. While Kobold Overlord does not offer the same type of evasion, it still consolidates the strength of its tribe. Comparatively, Elvish Archdruid fortifies elves and amps up mana production. Though Kobold Overlord doesn’t provide a mana boost, its dedication to enhancing kobold combat abilities offers a similar strengthening role within its tribe.
What emerges from the comparison is that Kobold Overlord serves as a pillar for kobold-centric decks, fostering synergy and potentially giving players an edge in tribal matchups. It’s an exemplar of how specialized cards can immensely impact strategy and gameplay in Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Kobold Overlord by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Kobold Overlord’s ability to create additional Kobold tokens equips players with a formidable strategy to multiply their forces on the battlefield. This can tilt the scale of card advantage in your favor, as each token represents an extra “card” that your opponent must deal with.
Resource Acceleration: The resourcefulness of Kobold Overlord is evident when it comes to accelerating your resource pool. By providing a stream of costless creatures, it allows you to commit more mana towards spells and actions that can pivot the game in your favor quicker than your opponent can respond.
Instant Speed: Harnessing the power of instant speed interactions, the Kobold Overlord can surprise opponents by launching an unexpected army of tokens or enabling tricks and maneuvers that can disrupt the opponent’s strategy, all while keeping your mana open for other crucial instant-speed responses.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Kobold Overlord demands a sacrifice, as you’ll need to discard another card to unleash this particular creature. This can put you at a strategic disadvantage by depleting your hand when options are already limited.
Specific Mana Cost: Summonings of the Kobold Overlord are bound by a rigid mana framework, asking for a precise blend of red and other colors. This restriction could complicate deck building, especially if your strategy involves a more fluid mana base.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While the Overlord offers unique benefits, it comes at a steep mana price. This could deter many players since there are numerous alternatives that bring comparable might to the fray without the hefty cost.
Reasons to Include Kobold Overlord Mtg Card in Your Collection
Versatility: The Kobold Overlord card acts as an excellent addition to a variety of decks, especially in formats where small, aggressive creatures are beneficial. Its capacity to empower other Kobolds makes it a strong consideration for tribal decks, where synchronization between creatures can be key.
Combo Potential: This card opens up avenues for interesting combos within the right deck, potentially enabling a swarm of creatures strategy or interacting positively with effects that unlock value when numerous Kobolds are present. Its traits may also synergize well with artifact and enchantment-based strategies that reward creature control.
Meta-Relevance: Considering the fluctuating nature of the MTG meta, its presence can make a marked difference in games where overwhelming the opponent with numerous creatures is vital. If the competitive environment favors control or combo decks, having a card like Kobold Overlord can disrupt opponent strategies by providing an early and consistent threat.
How to beat
The Kobold Overlord card brings unique challenges to Magic: The Gathering players. Facing this creature in battle requires a well-thought-out strategy. One key to success is managing the Overlord’s ability to empower other creatures. By focusing on targeted removal spells or board wipes, players can effectively negate the Overlord’s influence. It’s essential to use such control elements at the right moment to prevent your opponent from building an overwhelming force of buffed creatures.
Another tactic is to bypass the Overlord’s battlefield presence through evasion techniques. Employ flying or unblockable creatures to ensure your attacks reach the opponent. Should the Kobold Overlord setup become too fortified, consider using enchantment removal to unwind any synergistic effects it enables and diminish the overall impact on the battlefield.
Ultimately, the key to overcoming a Kobold Overlord lies in preparedness and adaptability. Understanding when to interrupt your opponent’s strategy and when to press with your own offensive can tilt the scales in your favor, ensuring that the Overlord’s reign at the table is short-lived.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Kobold Overlord MTG card by a specific set like Legends and Masters Edition III, 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 Kobold Overlord 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Kobold Overlord Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1994-06-01 and 2009-09-07. Illustrated by Julie Baroh.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1994-06-01 | Legends | LEG | 155 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Julie Baroh | |
| 2 | 2009-09-07 | Masters Edition III | ME3 | 105 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Julie Baroh |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Kobold Overlord has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Oldschool | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |