Krakilin MTG Card
1997-10-14 - Number 235
2015-05-06 - Number 177
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Beast |
| Power | 0 |
| Toughness | 0 |
Text of card
Krakilin comes into play with X +1/+1 counters on it. o1o G: Regenerate Krakilin.
"A perfect reflection of its world: brutal, fetal, and lacking truth." —Oracle *en*-Vec
Cards like Krakilin
Krakilin is an intriguing creature within the realm of MTG, offering scalability in power and toughness that’s akin to the concept of the Storage Matrix. Much like Krakilin, which can be cast with a flexible X mana cost to determine its size, cards such as Serra Avatar also thrive on variability—its power and toughness equal your life total. However, Serra Avatar doesn’t offer the same immediate customization upon casting as Krakilin does.
Another creature that invites comparisons is Protean Hydra, which like Krakilin, enters the battlefield with X +1/+1 counters. Protean Hydra, however, has the added benefit of regenerating, which can make it a more resilient threat. Meanwhile, Krakilin’s unique quirk lies in its trample ability, allowing it to potentially deal damage through blockers and offer more aggressive plays.
Ultimately, while there are several creatures that share the ‘pay X for X’ dynamic, Krakilin’s blend of flexibility at cast with the trample keyword lets it stand in a distinctive spot among MTG’s menagerie of customizable monsters, drawing the attention of players who appreciate an adaptable presence on the battlefield.
Cards similar to Krakilin by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Krakilin thrives in the late game where its scalability can lead to a significant creature size advantage. Each green mana you invest presents a potential threat your opponent must answer, effectively making it a card that keeps giving.
Resource Acceleration: Although Krakilin itself isn’t a direct source of resource acceleration, its synergy with ramp decks cannot be overstated. In environments where resources are plentiful, Krakilin swiftly becomes a formidable force, making every land drop a step towards overwhelming power.
Instant Speed: Krakilin’s ability to regenerate at instant speed offers resilience and flexibility, allowing you to commit to an aggressive board presence while still keeping a safety net against removal spells. This adaptability can pressure your opponent to play around your open mana and can lead to them making suboptimal plays.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Krakilin requires you to discard a card to utilize one of its key features, which can put you at a disadvantage by reducing your hand size, particularly in fast-paced strategies that value card quantity.
Specific Mana Cost: Krakilin’s cost is heavily green, demanding a significant green mana investment which can be challenging to produce consistently outside of mono-green or green-centric decks, potentially restricting its playability.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that escalates with each additional counter, Krakilin can become a costly investment. This is especially true when compared to other creatures at similar or lower cost ratios which might provide equal or greater board presence with less stringent mana requirements.
Reasons to Include Krakilin in Your Collection
Versatility: Krakilin thrives across various deck builds given its scalability. Its strength adjusts based on the mana you invest, making it a dynamic card for creature-focused or ramp decks.
Combo Potential: Krakilin can serve as a key piece in synergistic plays. With its ability to place +1/+1 counters for each green mana, it pairs well with mechanics that leverage counters for beneficial effects.
Meta-Relevance: Considering Krakilin’s flexible cost, it holds its ground in a shifting meta. As creature matchups become prevalent, Krakilin’s potential growth plays an even more pivotal role.
How to beat
Krakilin presents a unique challenge in MTG due to its scalability and potential for growth with counters. Unlike static creatures, Krakilin enters the battlefield with a number of +1/+1 counters equal to the amount of green mana used to cast it. The characteristic that sets it apart is its shroud ability, protecting it from targeted spells or abilities. However, this does not make it unbeatable.
To navigate this obstacle, you should consider using board wipes or global effects that do not target individual creatures, like “Wrath of God” or “Damnation”. Cards that change the rules of engagement such as “Hushbringer” or “Cursed Totem” will also hinder Krakilin, as they affect abilities across the board. Moreover, you can outpace it with aggressive strategies, using creature removals that do not target, such as “Languish” or “Toxic Deluge”. Bypassing the shroud with mass damage can effectively manage Krakilin before it becomes too large to handle.
In summary, addressing Krakilin’s potential means working around its untargetable nature with global effects or overwhelming it quickly. Players must plan ahead and include non-targeted removal in their arsenal to ensure victory against this growing threat.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Krakilin MTG card by a specific set like Tempest and Tempest Remastered, 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 Krakilin 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Krakilin Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1997-10-14 and 2015-05-06. Illustrated by Richard Kane Ferguson.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1997-10-14 | Tempest | TMP | 235 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Richard Kane Ferguson | |
| 2 | 2015-05-06 | Tempest Remastered | TPR | 177 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Richard Kane Ferguson |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Krakilin has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |