Korvold and the Noble Thief MTG Card


Korvold excels by converting sacrifices into consistent card advantages, enhancing your strategic options. The Noble Thief supports aggressive strategies with its combat-based card drawing ability. Effective counters against Korvold and the Noble Thief include preemptive disruption and board control.
Korvold and the Noble Thief - Wilds of Eldraine
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityUncommon
TypeEnchantment — Saga
Abilities Treasure
Released2023-09-08
Set symbol
Set nameWilds of Eldraine
Set codeWOE
Number139
Frame2015
LayoutSaga
BorderBlack
Illustred byBen Hill

Text of card

(As this Saga enters and after your draw step, add a lore counter. Sacrifice after III.) I, II — Create a Treasure token. (It's an artifact with ", Sacrifice this artifact: Add one mana of any color.") III — Exile the top three cards of target opponent's library. You may play those cards this turn.


Cards like Korvold and the Noble Thief

Korvold, Fae-Cursed King is a mighty commander in Magic: The Gathering that becomes more powerful with every sacrifice. Comparable to other sacrifice synergy cards like Prossh, Skyraider of Kher, Korvold provides incremental value by drawing a card each time a permanent is sacrificed. Unlike Prossh, which creates tokens to sacrifice for power, Korvold directly rewards the act of sacrificing with increased strength and card advantage.

Turning our attention to another potential comparison, we have the new contender, the Noble Thief. This card from the latest set dabbles in similar territory as it offers players card advantage. While it doesn’t interact with sacrifice mechanics, it introduces an efficient looting effect by allowing players to draw cards when they attack with a certain number of creatures. Like Korvold, it has the potential to generate substantial card advantage but relies on a broader combat strategy.

Both Korvold and the Noble Thief allow for significant card advantage, yet they diverge in their paths to achieving this. Korvold thrives on the principle of sacrificing, growing stronger and digging deeper into the deck, whereas the Noble Thief capitalizes on broader combat engagements for its looting effect. Each card provides unique strategies, showcasing the versatility found in Magic: The Gathering’s diverse card pool.

Korvold, Fae-Cursed King - MTG Card versions
Prossh, Skyraider of Kher - MTG Card versions
Korvold, Fae-Cursed King - MTG Card versions
Prossh, Skyraider of Kher - MTG Card versions

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Card Pros

Card Advantage: Korvold, the Noble Thief, shines by offering substantial card draw on a creature body. By turning each sacrifice into a potential card drawn, you’re consistently filling your hand, ensuring you don’t run out of firepower during the game.

Resource Acceleration: This card can be a powerhouse for ramping up your resources. With each artifact or creature you sacrifice, not only do you gain card advantage, but you’re also accelerating your resources, empowering your play with an abundance of options.

Instant Speed: The flexibility of instant speed spells cannot be overstated, and while Korvold itself may not have this trait, it interacts well with spells of such nature. Playing Korvold at the right time, followed by instant speed sacrifices or effects can turn the tide of a game, keeping opponents guessing and on their toes.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Playing Korvold, Fae-Cursed King requires you to sacrifice another permanent as part of its ability trigger, which can backfire if you’re low on board presence or crucial permanents.

Specific Mana Cost: Noble Thief demands a hefty three-set mana cost, including blue and white, potentially limiting its use to only specific, mana-flexible decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Integrating Korvold into your deck comes with a high mana cost of five, which means you may miss the opportunity to establish an earlier board presence, and Noble Thief’s cost of three for its abilities may not be as cost-effective compared to other options in similar roles.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Korvold and the Noble Thief provide a multifaceted approach to gameplay, beautifully integrating into adventure-themed decks and synergizing with mechanics like sacrifice and card advantage.

Combo Potential: When paired with engines that capitalize on permanents leaving the battlefield, this card can quickly amass advantage, making it a linchpin in powerful combo interactions.

Meta-Relevance: With the landscape favoring dynamic plays and adaptability, Korvold and the Noble Thief stand out as valuable assets, aligning with the pulse of various competitive formats.


How to Beat Korvold and the Noble Thief

Korvold, Fae-Cursed King, a powerhouse in MTG’s Commander format, can be a formidable adversary when paired with cards like Noble Thief. A strategy to triumph over this combination centers on preemptive measures and disruption. Since Korvold gains strength by sacrificing permanents and drawing cards, it is crucial to limit these opportunities. Controlling the board with removals like Path to Exile or Thoughtseize can dismantle your opponent’s strategy before it takes off. Interfering with Korvold’s entry by countering it or removing key pieces of the combo not only slows down your opponent but can also swing the game’s momentum in your favor.

Noble Thief, when combined with Korvold, can potentially deprive you of valuable resources, hence it is imperative to manage your own hand and battlefield judiciously. Employ spells that disrupt the opponent’s hand, such as Duress or Inquisition of Kozilek, to remove threats proactively. Repeated bounce effects, graveyard hate, and exile effects can also be employed to inhibit the synergy between Korvold and Noble Thief. By incorporating these tactics into your deck, you can formulate a solid defensive approach against this dynamic duo.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Korvold and the Noble Thief MTG card by a specific set like Wilds of Eldraine, 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 Korvold and the Noble Thief and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Korvold and the Noble Thief has restrictions

FormatLegality
StandardLegal
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
AlchemyLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
FutureLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
BrawlLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2023-09-01 You pay all costs and follow all normal timing rules for a card played this way. For example, if the exiled card is a land card, you may play it only during your main phase while the stack is empty.