Kozilek's Predator MTG Card

Generates two tokens upon entry, providing mana ramp and card advantage to fuel further game strategies. Instant-speed mana from tokens enhances strategic flexibility and response capability in matches. Card’s restrictions necessitate specific deck construction for optimal play, affecting its versatility.
Card setsReleased in 6 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Eldrazi Drone
Power 3
Toughness 3

Text of card

When Kozilek's Predator enters the battlefield, put two 0/1 colorless Eldrazi Spawn creature tokens onto the battlefield. They have "Sacrifice this creature: Add to your mana pool."

It's difficult to outwit something that doesn't speak, strategize, or even think.

Cards like Kozilek's Predator

Kozilek’s Predator is an intriguing creature in the MTG landscape, echoing the functionality of other token-generating cards like Nest Invader. Both creatures belong to the rise of the Eldrazi set and can ramp up your mana by creating Spawn tokens. Yet, Kozilek’s Predator delivers double the tokens of its counterpart Nest Invader does, offering a better board presence.

Another related card is Emrakul’s Hatcher, which also creates multiple 0/1 colorless Eldrazi Spawn creature tokens. While Emrakul’s Hatcher and Kozilek’s Predator both generate three Spawn tokens upon entering the battlefield, the Hatcher requires one additional mana to cast. This small difference can have a significant impact on your mana curve and the speed of your game.

Similarly, Brood Birthing, which isn’t a creature card but an instant, interacts well with a card like Kozilek’s Predator by capitalizing on the presence of Eldrazi Spawn tokens to multiply your forces. While the Predator offers creature strength in addition to tokens, Brood Birthing focuses solely on token multiplication, which can be a strategic advantage in terms of flexibility and surprise.

All in all, among cards that produce Eldrazi Spawn, Kozilek’s Predator stands out due to its balance of cost, creature size, and token generation, making it a competitive option for players looking to enhance their mana ramp and board state in MTG.

Nest Invader - MTG Card versions
Emrakul's Hatcher - MTG Card versions
Brood Birthing - MTG Card versions
Nest Invader - MTG Card versions
Emrakul's Hatcher - MTG Card versions
Brood Birthing - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Kozilek’s Predator creates two 0/1 colorless Eldrazi Spawn creature tokens upon entering the battlefield. These tokens can be sacrificed for additional mana, effectively offering extra resources that translate into card advantage.

Resource Acceleration: The ability to sacrifice the Eldrazi Spawn tokens for mana gives players an on-demand source of resource acceleration. This can be crucial for casting high-cost spells earlier than usual or activating key abilities when most needed.

Instant Speed: While Kozilek’s Predator itself does not operate at instant speed, the mana obtained from the Eldrazi Spawn tokens can be utilized at any time. This allows players to summon creatures or cast spells at instant speed, keeping opponents guessing and maximizing strategic flexibility.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Kozilek’s Predator doesn’t demand you to discard, it requires specific circumstances to fully leverage the card’s benefits, potentially leaving you at a loss if you cannot meet these requirements.

Specific Mana Cost: With a fixed cost of two generic and two green mana, Kozilek’s Predator fits primarily in decks that can reliably produce green mana, possibly limiting its versatility in multi-colored or colorless deck strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: At a total of four mana to summon this creature, players might find it costly, especially when compared to other cards in the same cost bracket that could provide immediate impacts on the game or offer more powerful abilities.

Reasons to Include Kozilek’s Predator in Your Collection

Versatility: Kozilek’s Predator is not a card to overlook, as it finds its way into various deck types. In ramp decks or those strategies favoring creature presence, this card can be a key play due to its ability to provide extra mana resources in the form of Eldrazi Spawn tokens that can be sacrificed for colorless mana.

Combo Potential: The four mana cost creature brings immediate board presence with additional bodies. Those Eldrazi Spawn tokens can play a pivotal role in enabling combos or synergies with cards that interact with creatures entering the battlefield or being sacrificed, such as those with devour or sacrifice outlets for card advantage or direct damage.

Meta-Relevance: Kozilek’s Predator holds its ground in the metagame where acceleration into big threats is crucial. Decks that aim to outpace opponents through casting large creatures or activating costly abilities earlier benefit greatly from the tempo that the predator provides. It’s especially useful when facing decks that are slower to establish their board presence.

How to Beat

Kozilek’s Predator is a versatile creature in Magic: The Gathering that not only adds a decent body to the board but also brings along additional Eldrazi Spawn tokens upon its entry. These tokens can be quite beneficial to a player’s mana acceleration or as chump blockers. Yet, like any MTG card, knowing how to effectively neutralize its advantages can be crucial to securing victory.

To combat Kozilek’s Predator, consider using removal spells that can handle multiple threats at once. Cards like Day of Judgment or Blasphemous Act can clear the Predator and its token offspring in one fell swoop, negating the tempo advantage it could provide. Spot removals like Doom Blade or Path to Exile are also effective but be wary of using them before the tokens are utilized for mana; otherwise, you could be facing even more significant threats sooner than anticipated.

Emphasizing board control and understanding when to disrupt your opponent’s strategy is the key to overcoming a card like Kozilek’s Predator. If the tokens are left unchecked, they can be sacrificed to ramp up into larger threats. Hence, timing your removal or board wipes is essential in maintaining leverage over this card and its consequent strategic plays.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Kozilek's Predator MTG card by a specific set like Rise of the Eldrazi and Modern Masters 2015, 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 Kozilek's Predator and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Kozilek's Predator Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 2010-04-23 and 2023-08-04. Illustrated by Steve Argyle.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12010-04-23Rise of the EldraziROE 1932003NormalBlackSteve Argyle
22015-05-22Modern Masters 2015MM2 1472015NormalBlackSteve Argyle
32019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 12512015NormalBlackSteve Argyle
42020-08-07Double Masters2XM 1732015NormalBlackSteve Argyle
52020-09-26The ListPLST MM2-1472015NormalBlackSteve Argyle
62023-08-04Commander MastersCMM 3012015NormalBlackSteve Argyle

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Kozilek's Predator has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal