Kraken Hatchling MTG Card
2009-10-02 - Number 50
2012-07-13 - Number 58
2017-03-17 - Number 42
2018-06-08 - Number 121
2021-08-26 - Number 781
| Card sets | Released in 5 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Kraken |
| Power | 0 |
| Toughness | 4 |
Cards like Kraken Hatchling
Kraken Hatchling stands out in Magic: The Gathering as a stalwart defender at an exceptionally low cost. It shares the same mana value with other one-mana creatures, such as Merfolk Spy and Flying Men. However, Kraken Hatchling brings a distinct advantage to the battleground with its defensive prowess boasting a formidable toughness of 4, which is unheard of for such a low-cost creature. In contrast, both Merfolk Spy and Flying Men prioritize offense over defense with the inclusion of abilities geared towards evasion, such as islandwalk and flying, rather than raw survivability.
Delving into the realm of inexpensive defenders, we encounter the card Wall of Wood. Similar to Kraken Hatchling in its defensive application, Wall of Wood stands as an iconic one-mana creature with a tough exterior. Nevertheless, Kraken Hatchling pulls ahead with an additional point of toughness, reinforcing its role as a budget shield against early aggressors. Then there’s Guardians of Meletis, which bolsters your defenses for a higher investment, providing a substantial wall but at a slower pace compared to the swift deployment of Kraken Hatchling.
Ultimately, Kraken Hatchling’s dedication to defense at such a low cost makes it a unique and formidable early-game option, securing its position as a specialized piece in the wider tapestry of Magic: The Gathering’s vast arsenal of creatures.
Cards similar to Kraken Hatchling by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While the Kraken Hatchling itself may not directly provide card advantage, it serves to preserve the cards in hand by acting as an inexpensive and reliable blocker. Its presence can deter early aggression, protecting your life total and other more valuable creatures, thus indirectly contributing to maintaining card advantage.
Resource Acceleration: As a low-cost creature, Kraken Hatchling helps in the efficiency of your mana usage. Being able to deploy a blocker for a single blue mana allows you to develop your board while keeping resources open for other pivotal plays during the game’s crucial early turns.
Instant Speed: While the Hatchling itself is not an instant, its low cost makes it a perfect complement to a strategy that includes holding mana open for instant-speed interaction. Dropping the Hatchling and still having mana to respond to your opponent’s moves can provide significant tempo and strategic advantages.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Though Kraken Hatchling requires no discards, it can represent a card slot that might otherwise be allocated to a spell or creature with more utility or impact, potentially leading to less hand flexibility.
Specific Mana Cost: Kraken Hatchling’s casting cost includes blue mana, making it exclusive to decks that run Island or have mana fixing capabilities, potentially limiting its playability in multicolored strategies that may not support blue.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While certainly budget-friendly in terms of mana, its cost of one blue mana does not reflect a high power or toughness, leaving it outperformed by other creatures at similar or slightly higher mana costs which offer more substantial board presence and value.
Reasons to Include Kraken Hatchling in Your Collection
Versatility: Kraken Hatchling offers great flexibility as a low-cost defender. It can be easily slotted into blue control decks or any strategy that aims to fortify the early game against aggressive opponents.
Combo Potential: While not inherently a combo enabler, this card can synergize well with effects that care about creatures entering the battlefield or specific creature types, like anything that benefits from having a sea creature such as a Kraken.
Meta-Relevance: As metagames evolve, so does the need for efficient creatures. Kraken Hatchling stays relevant in environments where stalling early aggression can set you up for a game-winning play, making it a consistent and reliable addition for matchups against fast-paced decks.
How to beat Kraken Hatchling
Kraken Hatchling may not be the most fearsome creature in Magic: The Gathering, but it can pose a challenge if used effectively in defensive strategies. This blue creature card boasts a robust defense for a low mana cost, which can be a thorn in the side of aggressive decks looking to deal damage quickly.
To outmaneuver Kraken Hatchling, consider employing removal spells that bypass its defense. Spells like Doom Blade or Path to Exile can cleanly remove the Hatchling from the game without having to contend with its defensive stat. Alternatively, evasion tactics such as flying or unblockable creatures offer a way to circumvent the Hatchling’s defense and deliver blows directly to your opponent.
In general, prioritize control over brute force when facing Kraken Hatchling. Its low offense means it’s not a threat on its own, so address the creatures and strategies supporting it. This approach ensures you maintain pace and apply pressure in the game while the Hatchling sits as a mere spectator on the battlefield.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Kraken Hatchling MTG card by a specific set like Zendikar and Magic 2013, 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 Kraken Hatchling 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
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Printings
The Kraken Hatchling Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2009-10-02 and 2021-08-26. Illustrated by Jason Felix.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2009-10-02 | Zendikar | ZEN | 50 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Jason Felix | |
| 2 | 2012-07-13 | Magic 2013 | M13 | 58 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Jason Felix | |
| 3 | 2017-03-17 | Modern Masters 2017 | MM3 | 42 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jason Felix | |
| 4 | 2018-06-08 | Battlebond | BBD | 121 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jason Felix | |
| 5 | 2021-08-26 | Jumpstart: Historic Horizons | J21 | 781 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jason Felix |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Kraken Hatchling has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |