Krovikan Horror MTG Card
1996-06-10 - Number 53
2008-09-22 - Number 101
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Horror Spirit |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
At the end of any turn, if Krovikan Horror is in your graveyard with a summon card directly above it, you may put Krovikan Horror into your hand. o1: Sacrifice a creature to have Krovikan Horror deal 1 damage to target creature or player.
Cards like Krovikan Horror
Exploring the depths of unique creature designs in MTG reveals the Krovikan Horror as a versatile and strategic choice for graveyard-centric decks. It shares some mechanical spaces with other notable graveyard interacting cards like Nether Shadow, which also has the ability to resurrect itself under specific conditions. Both are exceptional in decks that benefit from recurring threats.
Nether Traitor stands in parallel, offering recurrence from the graveyard but with haste and shadow, making it slightly more elusive than the Horror. However, Krovikan Horror’s sacrifice ability to deal damage provides additional board control, setting it apart as more than just a persistent threat. Furthermore, Bloodghast offers strong competition with its land-based resurrection but lacks the direct damage aspect inherent to the Horror.
In essence, while Krovikan Horror might not return to the battlefield as easily as some of its counterparts, its added value in sacrificing other creatures to deliver direct damage gives it a unique leverage in games, especially within strategies capitalizing on creature deaths and graveyard play.
Cards similar to Krovikan Horror by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Krovikan Horror. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Madness | Premodern | $1K - Pre-Modern - SCG CON Atlanta - Saturday - 9:30 am | |
| Zombie Infestation | Premodern | Eternal Weekend Europe 2023 Premodern Mainevent |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Krovikan Horror provides sustained card advantage through its graveyard ability, letting you sacrifice another creature to return it to your hand. This recycling effect can be a crucial way to maintain your grip on the game, especially in longer, grindier matches where resources are key.
Resource Acceleration: While not a direct source of mana acceleration, Krovikan Horror’s ability to return to your hand when you sacrifice another creature effectively reduces the need for additional card draw. This, in turn, lets you use your mana more efficiently for other spells and actions, streamlining your path to victory.
Instant Speed: Krovikan Horror’s activated ability can be used at instant speed, giving you the flexibility to respond to your opponent’s moves on their turn. This can disrupt their strategy and provide unexpected blockers or sacrifices as you dictate the pace of interaction.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Krovikan Horror demands that a card be discarded to reanimate it from your graveyard. This can strain your hand, especially when your card resources are dwindling and every card in hand counts towards your strategy.
Specific Mana Cost: To cast Krovikan Horror, you need not just three mana but also a combination of one black and two colorless. This specific mana requirement means it may not seamlessly fit into multicolored decks that do not have a strong base in black mana sources.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Sitting at a total of four mana – one black and three others – to get Krovikan Horror onto the battlefield initially, it’s more expensive than some other creatures in its class. Considering today’s MTG environment, players might find other creatures or spells that offer more value, versatility, or lower-cost alternatives for a four-mana investment.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Krovikan Horror offers adaptability for a broad range of strategies, serving as both a recurring threat and a sacrifice outlet. Its ability to be used from the graveyard can fit into various decks, especially those that have a theme around graveyard interaction and recursion.
Combo Potential: This card’s synergy with decks that capitalize on creatures dying makes it a valuable combo piece. It can effortlessly integrate into loops that require sacrificing a creature, enabling intricate combinations that can potentially lead to game-winning scenarios.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where graveyard play is prevalent, Krovikan Horror stands out as a significant asset. It not only can recur itself but can also disrupt opponents’ graveyard strategies by continually returning to the battlefield, making it a resilient choice against removal-heavy decks.
How to beat
Krovikan Horror is a creature that can be a real challenge to overcome in MTG, particularly due to its ability to resurrect itself from the graveyard. This tenacity makes it a formidable opponent on the battlefield. To counter this menacing card, it’s crucial to use graveyard disruption strategies that can permanently remove it or negate its abilities. Cards like Rest in Peace or Leyline of the Void can effectively incapacitate Krovikan Horror by exiling it upon death, preventing its return to play.
Targeted exile effects such as Path to Exile or Silencing can also be pivotal in handling Krovikan Horror. These ensure that instead of hitting the graveyard, it is removed from the game entirely. Additionally, strategic planning against Krovikan Horror involves timing. Dispose of it when the opponent lacks the necessary card in hand to activate its recurrence, or when their mana resources are insufficient, thereby preventing immediate resummoning. Carefully monitoring both the graveyard and mana availability can turn the tide against Krovikan Horror, transforming a potential liability into a tactical advantage.
Ultimately, understanding Krovikan Horror’s mechanics and having the right response cards at the ready are keys to claiming victory in the face of this undying threat.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Krovikan Horror MTG card by a specific set like Alliances and Masters Edition II, 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 Krovikan Horror 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 Krovikan Horror Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1996-06-10 and 2008-09-22. Illustrated by Christopher Rush.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1996-06-10 | Alliances | ALL | 53 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Christopher Rush | |
| 2 | 2008-09-22 | Masters Edition II | ME2 | 101 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Christopher Rush |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Krovikan Horror has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |