Ornery Kudu MTG Card

Ornery Kudu can indirectly create card advantage by deterring attacks with its solid stats. It can trigger synergistic effects with -1/-1 counters, enhancing your board presence. Despite a potential for weakening allies, Kudu’s strategic use can outweigh its cons.

Amonkhet (AKH)
2017-04-28 - Number 178

Amonkhet Remastered (AKR)
2020-08-13 - Number 206

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Antelope
Power	3
Toughness	4

Text of card

When Ornery Kudu enters the battlefield, put a -1/-1 counter on target creature you control.

Debate rages among the viziers whether comparing the kudu's horns to the God-Pharaoh's is blasphemy or reverence.

Cards like Ornery Kudu

Ornery Kudu might not be the most famous creature card in Magic: The Gathering, but it has its place among those that come with built-in disadvantages to trigger various strategies. It brings to mind the creature Thraben Inspector, which offers a clue token when it enters the battlefield. Thraben Inspector doesn’t have the power bump that Ornery Kudu provides but instead offers card advantage without a negative counter.

Another card worth mentioning is the Ironshell Beetle. Both share the same mana cost and the ability to place a +1/+1 counter when they come into play. However, Ironshell Beetle isn’t limited to targeting itself, offering a bit more flexibility in bolstering your board presence. Where Ornery Kudu stands out is in its base strength, starting as a 3/4, which can be quite formidable early in the game.

Ultimately, Ornery Kudu may not be the first pick for some players, but those deck-builders looking to exploit or mitigate its entering-the-battlefield effect have a sturdy and cost-effective creature to consider. Its synergy with -1/-1 counter strategies and potential for quick battlefield impact give it a niche use that can be creatively harnessed in the right deck.

Cards similar to Ornery Kudu by color, type and mana cost

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Reki, the History of Kamigawa - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Ornery Kudu itself may not directly allow you to draw cards, its presence can indirectly lead to card advantage by deterring opponents from attacking. This creature’s sturdy stats for its cost can make it a substantial part of your battlefield, which in turn helps you maintain control and your hand by not having to replace creatures lost in combat as frequently.

Resource Acceleration: Ornery Kudu offers a unique kind of resource acceleration in games. When it enters the battlefield, you may put a -1/-1 counter on target creature you control. If utilized cleverly with creatures that have counters synergies, such as those with undying or persist mechanics, it can actually accelerate your board presence and create advantageous interactions.

Instant Speed: Although Ornery Kudu is not an instant itself, its impact can be felt during the instant-speed phase of the game. Imagine having creatures that can benefit from -1/-1 counters at instant speed, or cards in your deck that can take advantage of counters being placed on creatures. Kudu can then set off these synergies at the time when these creatures enter the battlefield alongside it, preparing your strategy for immediate or upcoming turns.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Players are forced to put a -1/-1 counter on another creature they control, which can potentially weaken their board presence.

Specific Mana Cost: Ornery Kudu demands a green mana, restricting it to decks that can produce green mana or are green-centric.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For its base stats and effect, a three mana investment might be steep, considering other creatures in the same mana range may provide more immediate board impact without drawbacks.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Ornery Kudu’s ability to place a -1/-1 counter on another creature when it enters the battlefield makes it a flexible option for decks that exploit counters for various benefits, enhancing overall gameplay impact.

Combo Potential: This card pairs well with creatures that have a positive interaction with -1/-1 counters, such as those that get stronger or unlock additional abilities when counters are placed on them, opening up unique synergies.

Meta-Relevance: As the game’s environment evolves, Ornery Kudu can be increasingly relevant, particularly in metas where weakening opponents’ creatures can turn the tide, making it a compelling choice for adaptive strategies.

How to beat

The Ornery Kudu might seem like a stumbling block with its solid 3/4 body for three mana in Green’s creature lineup in Magic: The Gathering. Key to its drawback is placing a -1/-1 counter on another creature you control when it enters the battlefield. This is both a challenge and an opening for opponents.

Capitalizing on this, strategies to beat Ornery Kudu include targeting the weakened creature with spells that deal damage or lower toughness even further. The likes of Shock or Grasp of Darkness become more potent. Countering the Kudu’s placement in the battlefield with bounce or exile effects can further the disadvantage bestowed by the -1/-1 counter, turning Green’s asset into a liability. It’s also wise to manage the board, preventing the Kudu from leveraging Green’s typical creature buffs that could overshadow its initial downside.

Overall, the Kudu’s presence on the board demands a tactical response. With these techniques, players can transform the Ornery Kudu’s entrance consequence from a slight inconvenience into a strategic pitfall for your opponent, tipping the scales in your favor in the creature-heavy battles that define many MTG matches.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Ornery Kudu MTG card by a specific set like Amonkhet and Amonkhet Remastered, 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 Ornery Kudu and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Ornery Kudu Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2017-04-28 and 2020-08-13. Illustrated by Deruchenko Alexander.

#	Released	Name	Code	Symbol	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2017-04-28	Amonkhet	AKH		178	2015	Normal	Black	Deruchenko Alexander
2	2020-08-13	Amonkhet Remastered	AKR		206	2015	Normal	Black	Deruchenko Alexander

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Ornery Kudu has restrictions

Format	Legality
Historicbrawl	Legal
Historic	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Gladiator	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Commander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Explorer	Legal
Penny	Legal
Timeless	Legal