Kozilek's Return MTG Card

Kozilek’s Return offers board control and instant-speed play, crucial for mid-game strategy shifts. While potent, its mana specificity and cost impact versatility and deck-building choices. It remains a robust option against swarms, with graveyard-triggered damage for late-game plays.

Kozilek's Return - Oath of the Gatewatch Promos (POGW)

Oath of the Gatewatch Promos (POGW)
2016-01-22 - Number 98s

Kozilek's Return - Oath of the Gatewatch (OGW)

Oath of the Gatewatch (OGW)
2016-01-22 - Number 98

Kozilek's Return - Modern Horizons 3 Commander (M3C)

Modern Horizons 3 Commander (M3C)
2024-06-14 - Number 214

Card sets	Released in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Mythic
Type	Instant
Abilities	Devoid

Text of card

Devoid (This card has no color.) Kozilek's Return deals 2 damage to each creature. Whenever you cast an Eldrazi creature spell with mana value 7 or greater, you may exile Kozilek's Return from your graveyard. If you do, Kozilek's Return deals 5 damage to each creature.

Cards like Kozilek's Return

Kozilek’s Return is a unique inclusion amongst sweepers in Magic: The Gathering. Its closest relatives include cards like Pyroclasm and Volcanic Fallout, which also deal damage to each creature. Pyroclasm shares Kozilek’s Return’s damage output of 2 but lacks the ability to be triggered from the graveyard. Volcanic Fallout is similar in its instant speed and cannot be countered, but it costs one more mana and hits players as well.

Another comparable card is Anger of the Gods, which deals 3 damage to each creature and exiles them if they would die, preventing graveyard strategies. However, Anger of the Gods is a sorcery and cannot offer the surprise factor of Kozilek’s Return’s instant speed. Sweltering Suns also deals 3 damage to each creature but offers cycling for added flexibility, although it does not provide the same reusability from the graveyard as Kozilek’s Return does.

In evaluating these options, Kozilek’s Return stands out in the MTG realm with its graveyard-enabled second wave of damage, a trait absent in most of its counterparts. This gives the card a unique position in control decks that aim to manage the board while setting up for late-game threats.

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Kozilek's Return. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

Name	Format	Archetype	Event
Gruul Ramp	Pioneer	Gruul Ramp	Pioneer Challenge 32 2024-04-15
Izzet Midrange	Pioneer	Izzet Midrange	Pioneer Challenge 64 2024-01-14
RG	Pioneer		Pioneer League 2024-03-07
Gruul Tron	Modern	Mono-Green Tron	Modern Challenge 64 2024-03-03 (1)
Mono-Green Tron	Modern	Mono-Green Tron	DEN24 Sat 9:00 - U.S. Regional Championship - presented by Laughing Dragon
Temur Tron	Modern	Mono-Green Tron	Modern Challenge 64 2024-01-14
UBR	Legacy		Legacy League 2023-12-10
Izzet Emerge	Pioneer	Izzet Midrange	Peasant Pioneer Showdown - A Josh and Pat's MTG Bazaar Sponsored Event

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Kozilek’s Return provides a decisive edge in clearing multiple creatures from the board in one swoop. This not only disrupts opponents’ strategies but also discourages them from overcommitting to the battlefield, securing you an advantage in card economy.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly accelerating resources, Kozilek’s Return can be used to reset the board, giving players time to draw and play game-changing cards. This indirect acceleration ensures that your bigger threats can reach the board with less opposition.

Instant Speed: The real power of Kozilek’s Return lies in its instant-speed capability. This allows savvy players to wait until the right moment before unleashing this devastating effect, potentially in response to an opponent’s attack or at the end of their turn, keeping the element of surprise and control firmly in your hands.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One downside that players might encounter with Kozilek’s Return is the absence of a discard mechanic, which differentiates it from other spells within the same mana range that offer an added benefit when discarding.

Specific Mana Cost: Casting Kozilek’s Return requires two generic and one red mana, aligning it strictly with decks that have access to red mana, thus posing a limitation for players running multicolored decks without red.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Priced at three mana, Kozilek’s Return can be considered expensive compared to other instant-speed removal spells. Its five damage to each creature triggered from the graveyard may not always justify the initial cost, especially in formats where lower-costing alternatives are available.

Reasons to Include Kozilek’s Return in Your Collection

Versatility: Kozilek’s Return is a highly flexible card that can be slotted into a wide range of deck archetypes. With its instant speed and ability to deal damage across the board, it provides control players with a way to stabilize against aggressive starts and can be just as useful in ramp decks looking to clear the path for bigger threats.

Combo Potential: The card also shines in combo decks, notably those revolving around Eldrazi or other high-power creatures. Its triggered ability from the graveyard adds a surprise element, allowing players to wipe out smaller creatures and make way for game-ending threats without needing another card.

Meta-Relevance: In a competitive scene where small creatures and token strategies are prevalent, Kozilek’s Return maintains its importance. It counters wide board states effectively, keeping the meta in check, and ensures that decks running it are never without an answer to swarm strategies.

How to beat

Kozilek’s Return is a powerful instant that can change the tide of a game within MTG. Its ability to deal 2 damage to each creature can be devastating to decks that rely heavily on a board presence of small to mid-sized creatures. What’s important to consider is timing and the composition of your deck when facing this card.

One effective strategy is using creatures with toughness greater than 2, making them resistant to Kozilek’s Return’s initial damage. Besides toughness, you can employ creatures with indestructible or those that benefit from entering the graveyard, turning a potential setback into an advantage. The use of counterspells is also a solid defense, nullifying Kozilek’s Return before its effects can impact the board. In metagames where this card is prevalent, having sideboard options such as graveyard hate to inhibit its secondary ability from triggering is wise. Lastly, instant-speed creature buffs can save your creatures in a pinch, making Kozilek’s Return less of a threat.

In essence, the key to overcoming Kozilek’s Return lies in careful deck building and strategic play, opting for resilience and reactive measures to mitigate its potentially game-swinging effects.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Kozilek's Return MTG card by a specific set like Oath of the Gatewatch Promos and Oath of the Gatewatch, 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 Return and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Kozilek's Return Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2016-01-22 and 2024-06-14. Illustrated by Lius Lasahido.

#	Released	Name	Code	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2016-01-22	Oath of the Gatewatch Promos	POGW	98s	2015	Normal	Black	Lius Lasahido
2	2016-01-22	Oath of the Gatewatch	OGW	98	2015	Normal	Black	Lius Lasahido
3	2024-06-14	Modern Horizons 3 Commander	M3C	214	2015	Normal	Black	Lius Lasahido

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Kozilek's Return has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Pioneer	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2016-01-22	Exiling Kozilek’s Return due to the last ability isn’t the same as casting it as a spell. Cards that say “Counter target spell” won’t work.
2016-01-22	The last ability triggers only if Kozilek’s Return is in your graveyard as you cast the Eldrazi creature spell. That ability will resolve before the Eldrazi creature spell does. In other words, that Eldrazi won’t be on the battlefield yet and won’t be dealt damage by Kozilek’s Return.