Kros, Defense Contractor MTG Card
2022-04-29 - Number 105
2022-04-29 - Number 7
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Mythic |
| Type | Legendary Creature — Cat Advisor |
| Abilities | Goad |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 4 |
Key Takeaways
- Kros excels in card advantage, enabling consistent deck performance and resource accessibility.
- The card’s instant speed and artifact synergy accelerate resource generation and adaptability.
- While demanding in mana cost, Kros’s defensive capabilities make it a worthy collection addition.
Text of card
At the beginning of your upkeep, put a shield counter on target creature an opponent controls. Whenever you put one or more counters on a creature you don't control, tap that creature and goad it. It gains trample until your next turn. (Until your next turn, that creature attacks each combat if able and attacks a player other than you if able.)
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Kros, Defense Contractor shines in providing card advantage, effectively facilitating deck consistency and increasing your hand options. With its built-in mechanism to generate clues or investigate, players can easily keep their hands stocked with resources, ensuring they’re well-prepared for any situation that unfolds during a match.
Resource Acceleration: This card isn’t just about the clues; its ability to tap and untap artifacts can lead to significant mana ramping when paired with the right board state. By leveraging artifacts that can be tapped for mana, Kros, Defense Contractor becomes a powerhouse in propelling your gameplay forward at a faster pace.
Instant Speed: Kros brings versatility to the battlefield with abilities that operate at instant speed, allowing strategic players to adapt to the fluid dynamics of the game. This advantage gives savvy players the opportunity to make pivotal decisions on the fly, reactively deploying Kros’s abilities in response to opponents’ moves, thereby keeping them one step ahead.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Kros, Defense Contractor necessitates a card discard to trigger its ability. This can be particularly taxing for players already struggling with maintaining a sizeable hand, especially if the game has extended into later turns where every card counts.
Specific Mana Cost: The mana investment for Kros is demanding, requiring not just generic mana but also a precise combination which could be restrictive. It makes it less flexible, anchoring it firmly within two-color decks that can meet the blue and red mana requirement.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The activation cost for obtaining an artifact token is steep when compared to alternatives. In the competitive landscape where efficiency is key, decks might opt for lower-cost alternatives for artifact generation or utility creatures, potentially overlooking Kros in favor of a more streamlined mana curve.
Reasons to Include Kros, Defense Contractor in Your Collection
Versatility: Kros, Defense Contractor is a flexible addition to any deck that looks to mix sturdy defense with offensive capabilities. Its ability to grant hexproof and indestructible to key creatures can adapt to various board states and strategies.
Combo Potential: With Kros, Defense Contractor, you open doors to numerous combinations. It pairs well with cards that respond to creature targeting or require reliable, persistent board presence to execute long-term strategies.
Meta-Relevance: Given its protective nature, Kros, Defense Contractor proves to be quite formidable in a combat-focused meta. It can safeguard your valuable creatures from removal spells, tipping the balance in your favor during closely contested matches.
How to Beat Kros, Defense Contractor
Kros, Defense Contractor, is a notable presence in the arena of MTG due to its ability to provide protection to other creatures you control. To tactically counter this card, players must prioritize removal spells that don’t target creatures, such as board wipes. Cards like Doomskar or Shatter the Sky can bypass Kros’ protective ability by not singling out creatures directly but rather clearing the board as a whole.
Additionally, utilizing strategies that force your opponent to sacrifice creatures can be effective, as these don’t target individual creatures either. Look to leverage cards like Liliana’s Triumph or Plaguecrafter that pose a threat to Kros and its counterparts without having to target them, circumventing Kros’ defense mechanism. It’s also strategic to employ spells that alter the rules of engagement, such as Crippling Fear, allowing you to call out a creature type that Kros doesn’t share, thereby dodging his protective effect.
Direct tactics may not always work against a card like Kros, Defense Contractor, which necessitates a broader strategic approach. Efficiently dealing with Kros requires a blend of cunning and the right suite of spells to ensure your victory on the battlefield.
Cards like Kros, Defense Contractor
Kros, Defense Contractor adds strategic depth to creature-based tactics in MTG, mirroring other cards that offer protection and buffs. For instance, Mother of Runes grants a targeted creature protection from a color of your choice until the end of turn. While Mother of Runes focuses on single-target protection, Kros expands upon this by potentially shielding multiple creatures with counter placements, augmenting their survival on the battlefield.
Comparatively, there’s Bastion Protector which confers indestructible to your Commander as well as a power boost, emphasizing the crucial role of a key creature. Kros differs here by distributing its protective measure across any number of creatures, not just limiting it to a singular entity. This provides versatility and keeps opponents guessing. Similarly, Selfless Savior is devoted to guarding your valuable creatures by sacrificing itself, a one-time use but absolute in ensuring a creature’s survival. However, Kros stands out by repeatedly fortifying creatures through your turns without requiring self-sacrifice.
In evaluating these cards, Kros, Defense Contractor certainly carves a niche for itself within the realm of creature defense in MTG, bringing a unique dynamic to the table that can consistently influence the board’s resilience.
Cards similar to Kros, Defense Contractor by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Kros, Defense Contractor MTG card by a specific set like New Capenna Commander and New Capenna Commander, 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 Kros, Defense Contractor and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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 Kros, Defense Contractor Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2022-04-29 and 2022-04-29. Illustrated by Katerina Ladon.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2022-04-29 | New Capenna Commander | NCC | 105 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Katerina Ladon | |
| 2 | 2022-04-29 | New Capenna Commander | NCC | 7 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Katerina Ladon |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Kros, Defense Contractor has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Kros, Defense Contractor card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2022-04-29 | A creature with a shield counter on it may still be destroyed by state-based actions if it has damage marked on it equal to its toughness or has been dealt unpreventable damage by a source with deathtouch. |
| 2022-04-29 | If a permanent that would be dealt damage has more than one shield counter on it, that damage is prevented and only one shield counter is removed. |
| 2022-04-29 | If a permanent with a shield counter is dealt unpreventable damage, that damage will be dealt and a shield counter will still be removed. |
| 2022-04-29 | Removing a shield counter in this way isn't the same as regenerating a creature. |
| 2022-04-29 | Shield counters don't prevent players from sacrificing creatures. |
| 2022-04-29 | “Shield” is not an ability that creatures have and shield counters are not keyword counters. If a creature with a shield counter loses its abilities, the shield counter will still protect it as normal. |