Kor Scythemaster MTG Card

Kor Scythemaster - Oath of the Gatewatch

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Kor Soldier Ally
Released	2016-01-22
Set symbol
Set name	Oath of the Gatewatch
Set code	OGW
Power	3
Toughness	1
Number	23
Frame	2015
Layout	normal
Border	black
Illustred by	Ryan Pancoast

Key Takeaways

Kor Scythemaster can pressure opponents, often achieving a two-for-one card advantage.
An early board presence and potential synergy with auras and equipment enhance its appeal.
Meta relevance and first strike ability during your turn make it a substantial early game threat.

Text of card

Kor Scythemaster has first strike as long as it's attacking.

The kor of Zendikar are known for quiet determination in the face of overwhelming odds.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Kor Scythemaster may not directly offer card draw, but its potential threat on the battlefield encourages opponents to remove it, often at a two-for-one advantage for you. It heightens the pressure, tempting them to waste removal spells they would rather save for bigger threats.

Resource Acceleration: This card itself doesn’t accelerate resources, but being a low-cost creature, it paves the way for more significant plays. It allows you to establish a board presence early on, which is crucial for building momentum and leading to resource acceleration through other cards.

Instant Speed: While Kor Scythemaster operates at sorcery speed, its prowess on the field can influence how you and your opponent react at instant speed. Knowing the Scythemaster can become unblockable forces the opponent to think twice before tapping out, keeping the gameplay dynamic.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Although not a characteristic of the Kor Scythemaster itself, if your strategy requires frequent discarding for other card interactions, having Kor Scythemaster in your hand could force a tough decision. Balancing your hand efficiently becomes crucial.

Specific Mana Cost: Being a card that requires white mana, Kor Scythemaster demands a commitment to white mana-producing lands or mana-fixing resources, which can restrict deck-building flexibility and hinder its play in multi-colored decks not focused on white mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that could be considered steep for its common rarity and base stats, Kor Scythemaster may be overlooked in favor of creatures with more impactful abilities or lower mana investments. This can make it less appealing for aggressive decks aiming to deploy threats quickly.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Kor Scythemaster is a solid addition to decks that capitalize on attacking mechanics. Its first strike ability on your turn allows it to adapt to aggressive strategies while holding a strong defense against opponents’ creatures.

Combo Potential: This card flawlessly synergizes with equipment and aura spells, enhancing its first strike advantage and potentially creating powerful combinations in both limited and constructed formats.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where speed and early board presence are paramount, Kor Scythemaster’s first strike during your turn makes it a considerable threat against early-game creatures, fitting well into the current aggressive playstyles.

How to beat

Kor Scythemaster is an interesting piece in white-based aggro decks within Magic: The Gathering, primarily due to its first strike ability during your turn. While this gives it an edge in combat, thwarting the Kor Scythemaster’s influence on the game requires a strategic approach. The key lies in understanding the timing of your reactions and employing removal or blocking tactics effectively when the first strike condition does not apply.

Managing your defenses to handle this threat can involve setting up blockers that can survive the first strike damage or using instant-speed removal spells that can be cast outside of your turn to bypass its combat advantage. Spells that operate at flash speed are particularly useful here, allowing a player to wait until the end of the opponent’s turn before making a move, thus avoiding the first strike window. Furthermore, tapping abilities or enchantments that prevent the Scythemaster from attacking are also effective tools for controlling this particular adversary.

Successfully neutralizing Kor Scythemaster hinges on careful planning and opportune execution. By emphasizing the importance of timing and the selection of the right tactics, you can take this formidable aggressor out of the equation and maintain control over the battlefield.

Cards like Kor Scythemaster

Kor Scythemaster brings unique dynamics to the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering. Featuring the renowned first strike during your turn, this card echoes the abilities found in other combat-centric cards like Accorder Paladin. Both wield first strike, but Accorder Paladin provides the added advantage of boosting other creatures during battles with its battle cry ability.

Another comparable card is Aethergeode Miner. While it also activates an advantage during your turn with the energy counter generation upon attacking, it falls short of Kor Scythemaster’s steadfast first strike capability. Blade Instructor is also worth mentioning. It mentors other creatures, a perk that can increase the longevity and impact of your army on the field, yet it doesn’t hold the self-contained combat readiness of the Kor Scythemaster.

Comparing these cards, Kor Scythemaster establishes its reputation as a reliable combatant in MTG. Its first strike capacity can be a pivotal factor in battle, creating favorable trades and asserting early game dominance. It’s a card that demands an answer whenever it’s on the offensive, ranking it as a solid choice for players favoring aggressive strategies.

Accorder Paladin - Mirrodin Besieged (MBS)

Blade Instructor - Guilds of Ravnica (GRN)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Kor Scythemaster MTG card by a specific set like Oath of the Gatewatch, 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 Kor Scythemaster and other MTG cards: