Kavu Climber MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 7 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Kavu
Power 3
Toughness 3

Key Takeaways

  1. Kavu Climber provides card advantage, crucial for maintaining control and gaining an edge in matches.
  2. Though not directly a mana accelerator, it can potentially improve access to lands or mana resources.
  3. Its high mana cost and specific color requirements can limit its playability in varied decks.

Text of card

When Kavu Climber comes into play, draw a card.

The appearance of the first kavu surprised Multani. As they continued to emerge, he no longer had any doubts about Yavimaya's ability to defend herself.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: When Kavu Climber enters the battlefield, it enables you to draw a card, potentially putting you ahead in resources and giving you an edge over your opponent through increased options.

Resource Acceleration: Although not directly providing traditional mana acceleration, Kavu Climber’s ability to draw a card can indirectly accelerate your resources by helping you access more lands or mana sources in your deck.

Instant Speed: While Kavu Climber itself does not have instant speed, it can synergize with cards that do, allowing you to maximize your gameplay by responding to or complementing instant-speed actions on the board, which is a valuable asset in many MTG strategies.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Kavu Climber allows you to draw a card when it enters the battlefield, it lacks any discard mechanisms, which may not synergize well with decks that capitalize on discard benefits.

Specific Mana Cost: Kavu Climber’s casting cost demands both green and generic mana, which may not be easily accommodated in multi-colored decks that don’t prioritize green sources.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that includes five mana, Kavu Climber can be considered to have a relatively high mana cost for its body and ability, especially when compared to other creatures that offer similar or better benefits for a lower investment.


Reasons to Include Kavu Climber in Your Collection

Versatility: Kavu Climber is a card that can adapt to various deck strategies within the game. This creature shines in decks that aim to maximize draw potential while establishing a strong board presence.

Combo Potential: When Kavu Climber enters the battlefield, its ability to draw cards can facilitate combos by helping you dig deeper into your deck to find key pieces. Its creature type also syncs well with tribal synergies that rely on Kavus or general beast themes.

Meta-Relevance: Against slower, control-focused decks, Kavu Climber can be especially effective, providing both a solid creature and a replenishment of resources in hand, thus maintaining pressure on your opponent and staying ahead in the card advantage game.


How to Beat

Kavu Climber packs a punch in MTG as it allows players to draw cards when it enters the battlefield. Serving both as a sizeable creature and a card advantage engine, it can be quite the asset in a player’s deck. However, like all cards, it has vulnerabilities that can be exploited. Facing Kavu Climber means being ready to disrupt its card-drawing ability or mitigate its impact on the board.

One effective strategy is to remove it before the card drawing trigger resolves, using instant speed removals such as Path to Exile or Fatal Push. Counterspells also shine here, keeping the Kavu from ever stepping onto the battlefield in the first place. Additionally, cards that nullify enter-the-battlefield effects, like Torpor Orb, can completely negate the Climber’s card-drawing advantage, leaving the opponent with just a vanilla creature.

Understanding the timing and having the right answers at crucial moments can turn the tide against a Kavu Climber. Removing it post-entrance might still leave your opponent with extra cards, but controlling the flow of the game and keeping threats to a minimum will give you a competitive edge.


Cards like Kavu Climber

Kavu Climber serves as a robust element in MTG decks that focus on getting value from creature effects. In a similar camp, creatures like Elvish Visionary also permits players to draw a card upon entering the battlefield. Yet, the Visionary pulls ahead in terms of mana efficiency, costing significantly less than the larger Kavu Climber. In contrast, Kavu Climber offers a more substantial presence on the field with its 3/3 body, which can be instrumental in both defense and offense.

Wall of Blossoms is another creature of notice, providing the card-drawing utility, this time with the added benefit of a 0/4 defensive wall for early-game protection. While the wall doesn’t match Kavu Climber in offensive power, its lower casting cost means it can impact the game sooner. Another noteworthy parallel is Mulldrifter, which brings a flying trait to the table. While it can be costly to evoke, it potentially draws two cards, double what Kavu Climber and its kin provide. Mulldrifter’s versatility allows for early-game plays or late-game advantages.

Assessing Kavu Climber against its counterparts emphasizes the balance between cost, immediate board impact, and additional abilities. Its unique blend of card draw and physical presence often makes Kavu Climber a desirable choice for decks looking to combine resource advantage with notable battlefield influence.

Elvish Visionary - MTG Card versions
Wall of Blossoms - MTG Card versions
Mulldrifter - MTG Card versions
Elvish Visionary - Shards of Alara (ALA)
Wall of Blossoms - Stronghold (STH)
Mulldrifter - Lorwyn (LRW)

Cards similar to Kavu Climber by color, type and mana cost

Thicket Basilisk - MTG Card versions
Cockatrice - MTG Card versions
Ironroot Treefolk - MTG Card versions
Elvish Bard - MTG Card versions
Durkwood Boars - MTG Card versions
Elven Riders - MTG Card versions
Redwood Treefolk - MTG Card versions
Spined Wurm - MTG Card versions
Rabid Wolverines - MTG Card versions
Deadly Insect - MTG Card versions
Vintara Elephant - MTG Card versions
Spring-Leaf Avenger - MTG Card versions
Okina Nightwatch - MTG Card versions
Primeval Force - MTG Card versions
Spitting Spider - MTG Card versions
Copperhoof Vorrac - MTG Card versions
Tel-Jilad Lifebreather - MTG Card versions
Llanowar Behemoth - MTG Card versions
Bramble Elemental - MTG Card versions
Indrik Stomphowler - MTG Card versions
Thicket Basilisk - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
Cockatrice - Unlimited Edition (2ED)
Ironroot Treefolk - Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border (4BB)
Elvish Bard - Alliances (ALL)
Durkwood Boars - Rivals Quick Start Set (RQS)
Elven Riders - Duels of the Planeswalkers (DPA)
Redwood Treefolk - Weatherlight (WTH)
Spined Wurm - Stronghold (STH)
Rabid Wolverines - Exodus (EXO)
Deadly Insect - Mercadian Masques (MMQ)
Vintara Elephant - Prophecy (PCY)
Spring-Leaf Avenger - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Okina Nightwatch - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Primeval Force - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Spitting Spider - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Copperhoof Vorrac - Mirrodin (MRD)
Tel-Jilad Lifebreather - Fifth Dawn (5DN)
Llanowar Behemoth - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Bramble Elemental - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
Indrik Stomphowler - Commander 2015 (C15)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Kavu Climber MTG card by a specific set like Invasion and Ninth Edition, 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 Kavu Climber and other MTG cards:

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See Magic products

Printings

The Kavu Climber Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 2000-10-02 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12000-10-02InvasionINV 1921997normalblackRob Alexander
22005-07-29Ninth Edition9ED 2492003normalwhiteRob Alexander
32005-07-29Ninth Edition9ED 249★2003normalblackRob Alexander
42007-07-13Tenth Edition10E 2732003normalblackRob Alexander
52018-03-16Masters 25A25 1752015normalblackJonathan Kuo
62019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 12472015normalblackJonathan Kuo
72020-09-26The ListPLST A25-1752015normalblackJonathan Kuo

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Kavu Climber has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Recent MTG decks

Continue exploring other format decks
More decks