Krark's Thumb MTG Card


Enhances coin flip outcomes, providing a strategic advantage in decks that leverage chance for wins. Ups the success rate of coin flips, indirectly boosting resource generation and instant-speed spells. Vital asset in randomness-themed decks, enabling more consistent and potentially game-altering plays.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityRare
TypeLegendary Artifact

Text of card

If you would flip a coin, instead flip two coins and ignore one.

"I can think of *one* goblin it ain't so lucky for." —Slobad, goblin tinkerer


Cards like Krark's Thumb

Krark’s Thumb is an artifact that adds an intriguing twist to the probability mechanics in Magic: The Gathering. It’s often compared to other chance-influencing cards like Coin Flipping Kit, which offers players a range of coin flip options. Krark’s Thumb is unique in that it allows the player to flip two coins and choose one, thereby significantly increasing the likelihood of winning those crucial flips.

Looking at Mirror Gallery, a card that permits multiple instances of legendary permanents to exist without being sent to the graveyard, we notice it alters gameplay by bending rules. While it doesn’t directly interact with coin flips, it shares Krark’s Thumb’s characteristic of manipulating underlying game conditions to the player’s benefit. Then there’s Planar Chaos, which forces a coin flip for each spell cast, pushing the game toward a chance-based state. Krark’s Thumb excels here by turning each flip from a 50/50 uncertainty to an advantageous situation.

In analyzing the mechanics and synergies, Krark’s Thumb stands out among MTG cards that deal with chance, providing a strategic edge in flip-based decks and impacting overall game dynamics in ways few other cards can.

Mirror Gallery - MTG Card versions
Planar Chaos - MTG Card versions
Mirror Gallery - MTG Card versions
Planar Chaos - MTG Card versions

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Amulet of Kroog - MTG Card versions
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Howling Mine - MTG Card versions
Essence Bottle - MTG Card versions
Emerald Medallion - MTG Card versions
Scrying Glass - MTG Card versions
Cursed Totem - MTG Card versions
Tsabo's Web - MTG Card versions
Millikin - MTG Card versions
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Angel's Feather - MTG Card versions
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Card Pros

Card Advantage: With Krark’s Thumb, you’re nudging the odds to gain more value from cards with coin flip mechanisms. This could lead to drawing extra cards, dealing additional damage, or any other benefit that coin flip cards might offer, thus maintaining a card advantage on the battlefield.

Resource Acceleration: Krark’s Thumb doesn’t directly accelerate resources in the traditional sense of ramping up mana, but it does amplify the success rate of coin-flipping cards which may lead to accelerating resources indirectly. For instance, winning more flips with mana-generating cards means more resources at your disposal.

Instant Speed: While Krark’s Thumb itself is not an instant, it boosts the effectiveness of instant-speed spells involving coin flips by making successful outcomes more likely. This increased reliability can be a game-changer, allowing you to strategize with greater confidence when playing coin flip spells at instant speed.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Krark’s Thumb does not inherently require you to discard cards, its integration into strategies featuring coin tosses might encourage you to invest in cards that necessitate discarding as a cost to amplify its effect – a scenario that can deplete your hand quickly.

Specific Mana Cost: Krark’s Thumb has an exclusive colorless mana cost, which, while flexible across all decks, may not synergize well with strategies that rely heavily on color-specific mana usage or benefit from color pip counts for devotion mechanics.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value of two, Krark’s Thumb can be considered a moderate investment in the early game. However, the card itself does not affect the board directly nor does it provide immediate value upon hitting the field, potentially leaving you at a disadvantage when faster-acting plays could be made.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Krark’s Thumb is a unique artifact that can be inserted into decks that thrive on randomness and chance. By doubling the odds of winning coin flips, it opens up exciting gameplay across various deck archetypes.

Combo Potential: This card shines in combination with spells or abilities that involve coin tossing, enabling players to create powerful synergies and potentially dominate the playing field when luck is on their side.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment where chance-based cards make a splash, having Krark’s Thumb can tilt the odds in your favor, making it a valuable tool against probability-driven strategies.


How to beat

Krark’s Thumb, a unique artifact in Magic: The Gathering, is best known for tilting coin flip odds in your favor. The key to overcoming this card lies not in the luck of the flip but in disrupting your opponent’s strategy. Efficient artifact removal spells like Nature’s Claim or Release to the Wind can help you bypass the luck factor by targeting Krark’s Thumb directly, rendering your opponent’s coin flip synergies less effective.

Alternatively, taking preventive measures can also be effective. Counter spells like Negate or Disallow can halt Krark’s Thumb from hitting the battlefield altogether, allowing you to maintain control. Remember, strategies based on probability are inherently vulnerable. Denying your opponent’s attempts to manipulate these odds can often lead to a disassembled game plan on their side, giving you the upper hand. Timing is crucial, so prepare to act when Krark’s Thumb makes its appearance.

In summary, when playing against an opponent utilizing Krark’s Thumb, focus on direct disruption or prevention. This approach will help you regain equilibrium and leave your opponent relying on the whims of chance, which is far less reliable without their instrumental artifact in play.


BurnMana Recommendations

If Krark’s Thumb piqued your interest, then you’re exactly where you need to be to push your MTG gameplay to exciting new heights. This artifact is a game-changer in coin-flip-centered decks, offering unprecedented control over the odds. Imagine the thrill of turning a loss into a victory with a simple flip of a coin—Krark’s Thumb makes it possible. It’s not just about owning the card; it’s about mastering its potential. Dive deeper into the world of MTG strategy with us, and discover how to make Krark’s Thumb the lynchpin of a winning strategy. Your journey towards mastery and ultimate domination of the playing field starts here.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Krark's Thumb MTG card by a specific set like Mirrodin and The List, 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 Krark's Thumb and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Krark's Thumb Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2003-10-02 and 2003-10-02. Illustrated by Ron Spencer.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12003-10-02MirrodinMRD 1902003NormalBlackRon Spencer
22020-09-26The ListPLST MRD-1902003NormalBlackRon Spencer

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Krark's Thumb has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2004-10-04 If you and your opponent both flip at the same time, you can see your opponent’s result before choosing which result to keep.
2013-04-15 If an effect tells you to flip more than one coin at once, this replace each individual coin flip. For example, if an effect tells you to flip two coins, you’ll first flip two coins and ignore one, then flip two more coins and ignore one of those. You don’t flip four coins and ignore two.