Krovikan Vampire MTG Card
1995-06-03 - Number 141
2002-07-01 - Number 3
2008-09-22 - Number 102
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Vampire |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
At the end of a turn in which any creature is damaged by Krovikan Vampire and put into any graveyard, put that creature directly into play under your control. Treat the creature as though it were just summoned. If you lose control of Krovikan Vampire or Krovikan Vampire leaves play, bury the creature.
Cards like Krovikan Vampire
Krovikan Vampire offers an intriguing dynamic in the realm of creature cards in Magic: The Gathering. It draws parallels to cards like Vampire Nighthawk, a staple in vampiric strategies. Both employ flying, allowing them to evade many common blockers. However, Krovikan Vampire uniquely gains control of creatures it destroys, setting a different strategic path than the Nighthawk’s lifelink and deathtouch.
There’s Markov Warlord to consider too, with its intimidating presence on the battlefield due to its high power and ability to tap potential blockers. Although it lacks the direct creature control that Krovikan Vampire provides, its high power makes it a formidable force. Another notable comparison lies with Drana, Liberator of Malakir. While Drana doesn’t seize enemy troops, her first-strike ability combined with boosting your attacking creatures can turn the tides quickly, representing a more direct route to victory.
Each of these cards offers distinct advantages for vampire-themed decks, yet Krovikan Vampire’s unique control effect gives it a niche role, especially in matches where taking over opponents’ creatures can dismantle their strategies. For players looking to enhance their vampiric legions with a control twist, Krovikan Vampire is a card that shouldn’t be overlooked.
Cards similar to Krovikan Vampire by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Krovikan Vampire is an asset when it comes to card economy. With its ability to potentially turn each creature it kills into a new asset for your side, you bolster your card advantage with every successful engagement.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly providing mana or tokens, Krovikan Vampire can be seen as a form of resource acceleration. By converting defeated creatures to your control, it reduces the need to draw and play additional creatures, thereby effectively accelerating your board presence and sparing your resources.
Instant Speed: This particular vampire shines with its ability to interact at instant speed. Though the card itself isn’t an instant, its ability triggers whenever it deals damage to a creature. This means during each combat phase it can potentially alter the board state, akin to the flexibility instants provide by allowing reactionary play.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: For those who wield the powers of the Krovikan Vampire, the mandatory discard upon casting can be quite taxing. It’s a notable set back, especially when a player’s hand is running low on cards, potentially leading to a disadvantageous position.
Specific Mana Cost: The Krovikan Vampire demands a particular combination of mana types to enter the battlefield. Requiring both black and generic mana, it may not seamlessly fit into multi-colored decks, thus restricting its universality across various strategies.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that might be considered steep for its abilities, there are alternative creatures that could provide more bang for your mana buck. Players often weigh the cost-effectiveness of cards, and in a game where every mana point counts, Krovikan Vampire might not always make the cut.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: The Krovikan Vampire offers a unique blend of attrition and power dynamics, making it an adaptable card for variety of black-focused decks. Its utility in both offensive and defensive strategies adds value to any collection.
Combo Potential: This creature’s ability to grow and potentially return to the battlefield supports synergies with sacrifice and graveyard manipulation mechanics, enhancing decks built around these combos.
Meta-Relevance: Given its capacity to interact with creatures on the battlefield and in graveyards, the Krovikan Vampire remains pertinent in metas where creature-based strategies prevail.
How to beat
The Krovikan Vampire offers a unique challenge on the battlefield within the Magic: The Gathering realm. This creature becomes a significant threat when it effectively picks off smaller units, turning them into minions under your opponent’s control. To navigate this, the key is to minimize the number of low-powered creatures you play or to safeguard them with hexproof or protection abilities, so they’re not easily targeted.
Similarly, instant-speed removal spells are highly effective against the Krovikan Vampire. By responding to its trigger and eliminating it before it can exert its influence, you maintain control over the board. Board wipes also prove to be a reliable countermeasure, clearing the way and preventing the vampire from accumulating an army of converted minions. Moreover, since its ability hinges on it dealing combat damage, methods to prevent combat damage, such as the abilities of Ghostly Prison or Propaganda, can also successfully neutralize this threat.
In essence, when facing down a Krovikan Vampire, the best strategies revolve around clever creature management, timely removal, and damage prevention. By doing so, you diminish its power and retain the flow of the game within your favor.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Krovikan Vampire MTG card by a specific set like Ice Age and Hobby Japan Promos, 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 Vampire 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 Vampire Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 1995-06-03 and 2008-09-22. Illustrated by Quinton Hoover.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1995-06-03 | Ice Age | ICE | 141 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Quinton Hoover | |
| 2 | 2002-07-01 | Hobby Japan Promos | PHJ | 3 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Quinton Hoover | |
| 3 | 2008-09-22 | Masters Edition II | ME2 | 102 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Quinton Hoover |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Krovikan Vampire has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Krovikan Vampire 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 | At the beginning of each end step, the game checks all creatures that died that turn to see if Krovikan Vampire had dealt damage to them during the turn. It doesn’t matter whether the damage was combat damage, and it doesn’t matter whether the damage was what caused the creatures to die. |
| 2004-10-04 | If a creature Krovikan Vampire dealt damage to dies, then leaves the graveyard by some means, the game loses track of it. Krovikan Vampire’s ability won’t be able to return it to the battlefield, even if it’s put back into the graveyard before the end step. |
| 2008-08-01 | If Krovikan Vampire isn’t on the battlefield at the beginning of the end step, its ability won’t trigger. No cards will be returned to the battlefield, even if Krovikan Vampire dealt damage to some creatures that died that turn. |
| 2008-08-01 | Whoever controls Krovikan Vampire when the ability triggers will return the applicable cards to the battlefield under their control. It doesn’t matter who controlled it at the time the damage was dealt. |
| 2008-10-01 | If a creature that Krovikan Vampire dealt damage to that turn dies in response to the triggered ability, that creature card will be put onto the battlefield. Note that an appropriate creature must have died prior to the beginning of the end step in order for the ability to trigger in the first place. |