Kris Mage MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Human Spellshaper |
| Released | 1999-10-04 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Mercadian Masques |
| Set code | MMQ |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
| Number | 195 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Matthew D. Wilson |
Text of card
o R, oc T, Discard a card from your hand: Kris Mage deals 1 damage to target creature or player.
Her blade draws blood without ever touching its target.
Similar Cards to Kris Mage
Kris Mage stands out in Magic: The Gathering as a versatile tool for dealing with small threats on the battlefield. Its ability to ping creatures or players for one damage sets it apart from mere creature cards. When we consider Prodigal Pyromancer, a similarity is immediately noticeable with its tap ability for one damage. Yet, Kris Mage demands both red and white mana for activation, adding strategic depth, especially in multicolor decks.
Comparably, Cunning Sparkmage offers a similar tap ability but comes with the benefit of haste, allowing it to activate its ability right away. Despite this, Kris Mage still finds its place with a lower casting cost, enabling quicker deployment. Goblin Fireslinger is another card within this niche, exclusively costing red mana to activate its ping ability, though it doesn’t offer the dual-color flexibility that Kris Mage has.
Ultimately, these cards each serve a role within their respective strategies. With its efficient cost and hybrid activation ability, Kris Mage is a valuable asset in decks that can afford its color requirements, offering precise control over the board state round after round.
Cards similar to Kris Mage by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Kris Mage offers strategic benefits to MTG players looking to maintain an upper hand. It’s particularly effective when you have the ability to repeatedly deal small amounts of damage, helping whittle down your opponent’s board presence and secure a more favorable position through incremental card advantage.
Resource Acceleration: Although Kris Mage does not directly contribute to resource acceleration, its low casting cost facilitates an efficient use of mana. This capability allows players to deploy other resource-accelerating cards or strategies alongside it, maximizing the potential for a powerful board state early in the game.
Instant Speed: The ability of Kris Mage to act at instant speed gives players an edge, allowing for reactive play. This adaptability is crucial in MTG, as it lets the player retain mana until it is clear whether it is needed for Kris Mage’s ability or another urgent action, thereby keeping opponents on their toes and preserving the element of surprise.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Kris Mage requires you to discard a card to unleash its abilities, which might strain your hand, especially if you’re already struggling to maintain card advantage against opponents.
Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a precise mana assembly to cast. If your deck doesn’t consistently produce the necessary mana types, it could sit idle, a dead draw at a critical juncture in your game.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: When you weigh the utility of Kris Mage against its mana cost, it’s often viewed as expensive. Decks that aim for early game pressure or quick combos might find the cost burdensome, making it a difficult fit outside of specific strategies.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Kris Mage offers a flexible role in various deck builds and can be an asset whether you’re aiming to control the board or push for the final points of damage. Its ability to both deal damage and draw cards allows for strategic plays in multiple game scenarios.
Combo Potential: This card can synergize well with decks that capitalize on instant and sorcery spells or those that use damage-based triggers to activate abilities. By having Kris Mage, you create opportunities to weave together combos that can turn the tide of the game.
Meta-Relevance: As the gameplay environment evolves, having a card like Kris Mage can prepare you for shifts in popular deck types. Its capability to affect both creature-based and non-creature strategies makes it a versatile tool in an ever-changing meta.
How to beat
The Kris Mage card poses an interesting challenge for players who come up against it in Magic: The Gathering. This creature has the ability to ping opponents or their creatures, potentially altering the board state with its direct damage capability. To effectively neutralize this threat, smart removal spells are key. Consider using instant speed removal spells that can target and destroy Kris Mage before its ability can be activated, or in response to its activation.
Behind the scenes, keeping the necessary mana open to cast these removal spells when Kris Mage enters the battlefield or when your opponent is tapped out can make all the difference. Additionally, including creatures in your deck that have abilities or static effects which prevent the activation of abilities, like Hushbringer or Pithing Needle, can serve as preemptive measures against Kris Mage’s damaging potential. Ensuring you have answers that can either pre-empt or react to Kris Mage’s abilities will greatly increase your chance of maintaining control over the game.
In essence, a blend of strategic planning and proactive deckbuilding can help you effectively counter the threat of Kris Mage, allowing you to maintain the upper hand in your games of Magic: The Gathering.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Kris Mage MTG card by a specific set like Mercadian Masques, 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 Kris Mage 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
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Kris Mage has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |