Kolaghan Forerunners MTG Card


Card advantage with Kolaghan Forerunners grows as you cycle through your deck, making each card count in battle. A perfect match for ramp strategies, it gets more powerful with every land and creature you play. Instant-speed tricks bolster Kolaghan Forerunners, adding a layer of unpredictability to its combative prowess.
Kolaghan Forerunners - Dragons of Tarkir
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Human Berserker
Abilities Dash,Trample
Released2015-03-27
Set symbol
Set nameDragons of Tarkir
Set codeDTK
Power *
Toughness 3
Number144
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byJason A. Engle

Text of card

Trample Kolaghan Forerunners's power is equal to the number of creatures you control. Dash (You may cast this spell for its dash cost. If you do, it gains haste, and it's returned from the battlefield to its owner's hand at the beginning of the next end step.)


Cards like Kolaghan Forerunners

Kolaghan Forerunners stands out in the roster of trample creatures within Magic: The Gathering. Its power level is directly tied to the number of creatures you control, somewhat akin to creatures like Scion of the Wild. However, Kolaghan Forerunners has the advantage of having trample, allowing it to potentially deal more damage to an opponent by overriding blockers with its assault.

Delving into comparable cards, we encounter Reckless Bushwhacker. Both cards can have an immediate impact on the game thanks to the haste feature, but Reckless Bushwhacker boosts other creatures and requires the surge cost for its best effect. Then, there’s the Cloudshredder Sliver, which not only grants haste and flying to Slivers but is constant in power level. Whereas, Kolaghan Forerunners’ power fluctuates, reflecting the dynamic battlefield conditions and rewarding wide strategies.

All things considered, Kolaghan Forerunners is a robust card for players who prefer an aggressive strategy and thrive on summoning numerous creatures. It shines in the late game where the number of creatures can turn it into a formidable and potentially game-ending threat.

Scion of the Wild - MTG Card versions
Reckless Bushwhacker - MTG Card versions
Cloudshredder Sliver - MTG Card versions
Scion of the Wild - MTG Card versions
Reckless Bushwhacker - MTG Card versions
Cloudshredder Sliver - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Kolaghan Forerunners by color, type and mana cost

Dwarven Warriors - MTG Card versions
Raging Bull - MTG Card versions
Wall of Lava - MTG Card versions
Brassclaw Orcs - MTG Card versions
Sabretooth Tiger - MTG Card versions
Imperial Recruiter - MTG Card versions
Uthden Troll - MTG Card versions
Hobgoblin Bandit Lord - MTG Card versions
Goblin Rabblemaster - MTG Card versions
Nosy Goblin - MTG Card versions
Goblin Sky Raider - MTG Card versions
Cosmic Larva - MTG Card versions
Mannichi, the Fevered Dream - MTG Card versions
Cunning Bandit // Azamuki, Treachery Incarnate - MTG Card versions
Ghost-Lit Raider - MTG Card versions
Goblin Chariot - MTG Card versions
Balduvian Barbarians - MTG Card versions
Shinen of Fury's Fire - MTG Card versions
Basalt Gargoyle - MTG Card versions
Goblin Chieftain - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Warriors - MTG Card versions
Raging Bull - MTG Card versions
Wall of Lava - MTG Card versions
Brassclaw Orcs - MTG Card versions
Sabretooth Tiger - MTG Card versions
Imperial Recruiter - MTG Card versions
Uthden Troll - MTG Card versions
Hobgoblin Bandit Lord - MTG Card versions
Goblin Rabblemaster - MTG Card versions
Nosy Goblin - MTG Card versions
Goblin Sky Raider - MTG Card versions
Cosmic Larva - MTG Card versions
Mannichi, the Fevered Dream - MTG Card versions
Cunning Bandit // Azamuki, Treachery Incarnate - MTG Card versions
Ghost-Lit Raider - MTG Card versions
Goblin Chariot - MTG Card versions
Balduvian Barbarians - MTG Card versions
Shinen of Fury's Fire - MTG Card versions
Basalt Gargoyle - MTG Card versions
Goblin Chieftain - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Kolaghan Forerunners thrives in strategies that churn through the deck, offering potential for immense card advantage. As a trampler, it can translate extra cards in hand into direct damage, bypassing blockers with smaller creatures.

Resource Acceleration: This card plays well in a deck that ramps up its mana sources. Each additional land drop or creature played increases Kolaghan Forerunners’ power, turning it into a formidable force often earlier than the opponent can handle.

Instant Speed: While not an instant itself, Kolaghan Forerunners benefits greatly from instant-speed interactions. Casting spells before the combat phase can suddenly enhance its power, keeping adversaries constantly guessing and misallocating their defensive resources.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Kolaghan Forerunners requires you to discard another card to unleash its dash ability. This can deplete your hand, making it harder to maintain card advantage over your opponent, especially in the mid to late game.

Specific Mana Cost: The casting cost of Kolaghan Forerunners includes red mana, which means it fits primarily in aggressive or red-centered decks. This can restrict its playability in more versatile or multicolored decks that might not always have the right mana available.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While the trample ability is beneficial, the initial mana investment of three, including two red, can be steep for a creature whose power is variable. In competitive play, other cards at a similar cost can offer more predictable and immediate effects on the game state.


Reasons to Include Kolaghan Forerunners in Your Collection

Versatility: Kolaghan Forerunners is a dynamic card that adapts to the board state, gaining power with each attacking creature. Its trample ability ensures that no extra damage is wasted, making it suitable for aggressive red decks that focus on combat.

Combo Potential: This card thrives in a heavy creature deck where its power can increase exponentially. Pair it with cards that generate tokens or with mechanics like ‘Dash’ to maximize the number of attackers and, consequently, its power.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta that favors aggressive strategies, Kolaghan Forerunners can be a game-changer, swinging with potentially massive power late in the game when board states are often cluttered with creatures.


How to beat

Kolaghan Forerunners is a dynamic creature card that thrives in decks packed with numerous creatures. With its power and toughness determined by the number of creatures you control, it can quickly become a formidable force on the battlefield. However, managing its exponential growth is key to stifling its threat.

One effective strategy is to limit the number of creatures your opponent controls. Board clearing spells like Wrath of God or Damnation can reset the playing field. Targeted removals such as Path to Exile or Murder are also excellent for taking out key creatures, consequently weakening the Forerunners’ power level.

Ensnaring the Forerunners with enchantments that prevent it from attacking or blocking is another approach. Cards like Pacifism or Claustrophobia can significantly hinder its usefulness. Additionally, counteract its trample ability by having high-toughness blockers or creatures with reach ready to absorb the impact of its assault.

Overall, while Kolaghan Forerunners can be a strong card in the right circumstance, understanding its mechanics and having a plan to control the creature count or nullify its capabilities can turn the tide in your favor.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Kolaghan Forerunners MTG card by a specific set like Dragons of Tarkir, 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 Kolaghan Forerunners and other MTG cards:

TCGPlayerBUY NOW
BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Kolaghan Forerunners has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2015-02-25 If a creature enters the battlefield as a copy of or becomes a copy of a creature whose dash cost was paid, the copy won’t have haste and won’t be returned to its owner’s hand.
2015-02-25 If you choose to pay the dash cost rather than the mana cost, you’re still casting the spell. It goes on the stack and can be responded to and countered. You can cast a creature spell for its dash cost only when you otherwise could cast that creature spell. Most of the time, this means during your main phase when the stack is empty.
2015-02-25 If you pay the dash cost to cast a creature spell, that card will be returned to its owner’s hand only if it’s still on the battlefield when its triggered ability resolves. If it dies or goes to another zone before then, it will stay where it is.
2015-02-25 The ability that defines Kolaghan Forerunners’s power functions in all zones, not just the battlefield. If Kolaghan Forerunners is on the battlefield, its ability will count itself.
2015-02-25 You don’t have to attack with the creature with dash unless another ability says you do.