Pygmy Kavu MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Kavu
Released	2001-02-05
Set symbol
Set name	Planeshift
Set code	PLS
Power	1
Toughness	2
Number	88
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Greg Staples

Key Takeaways

Pygmy Kavu offers card advantage, making it a compelling pick for maintaining hand size.
The card’s specific mana requirements could limit its use to certain deck types.
In the right deck, Pygmy Kavu’s ETB draw effect can be a game-changer.

Text of card

When Pygmy Kavu comes into play, draw a card for each black creature your opponents control.

"We could learn a lot by watching the little ones," said Agnate. "Define 'little,'" replied Grizzlegom.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Pygmy Kavu adds value by letting you draw a card when it enters the battlefield if you meet its condition. This feature can help replenish your hand and sustain momentum during a match.

Resource Acceleration: With its modest casting cost and the potential to retrieve a specific land card from your deck, this Kavu can assist in smoothing out your mana base, which is crucial for deploying more impactful spells sooner.

Instant Speed: While Pygmy Kavu is not an instant itself, it pairs well with instant-speed spells. This creature’s ability to potentially draw you a card can indirectly provide you with more instant-speed interaction options, keeping opponents on their toes and giving you an edge.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: A major drawback of the Pygmy Kavu is the necessity to discard another card from your hand. This cost can be rather steep, especially in situations where maintaining card advantage is crucial to your strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: The casting cost for Pygmy Kavu requires both green and red mana, making it specific to only certain types of decks and possibly restricting its inclusivity. Having a dual mana cost might constrain the card’s versatility in a variety of deck builds.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a four mana cost to play Pygmy Kavu, the card could be considered costly for the stats and benefits it provides. In instances where mana efficiency is key to outpacing opponents, the Pygmy Kavu might not be the optimal creature for rapid gameplay progressions.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Pygmy Kavu shines in various deck types, asserting its flexibility as a utility creature. Whether you’re running a Kavu-themed deck or need an efficient blocker and card filter, it’s a handy addition.

Combo Potential: Pygmy Kavu can be a gear in the combo machine, synergizing with cards that care about creature etb (enter the battlefield) or death. Its ability to peek at the top card of your deck primes further strategic plays.

Meta-Relevance: Though not a staple in every format, Pygmy Kavu finds its stride in environments where small, value-oriented creatures can tip the scales in your favor, making it a meta-dependent, yet rewarding pick.

How to beat

Pygmy Kavu is an intriguing creature card that can throw a wrench into your strategies in the right setup. With its potential to gain card advantage through its enter-the-battlefield ability, it can present a challenge. However, there are effective ways to handle this seemingly modest beast. First, since it’s not particularly tough, direct removal spells will dispatch it instantly. Cards like Fatal Push or Shatter are straightforward solutions.

Utilize cards with exile effects. Since Pygmy Kavu’s strength lies in its ability rather than its combat prowess, exiling it prevents any graveyard-based shenanigans. Cards like Path to Exile or Swords to Plowshares are excellent here. Another strategy is to outpace the Pygmy Kavu. Play aggressively and force your opponent to use their Kavu defensively. Overwhelm them with creatures or high-powered threats that make Pygmy Kavu’s presence almost negligible.

Lastly, restrict your opponent’s Kavu-related advantages. Cards that inhibit or counter creature abilities, or those that limit the number of cards an opponent can draw, will dampen Pygmy Kavu’s impact. With these strategies at your disposal, you’ll transform what could be a thorny encounter with Pygmy Kavu into just another step towards victory.

Cards like Pygmy Kavu

Pygmy Kavu presents an interesting entry into the Kavu tribe’s lineup in Magic: The Gathering. It carries a resemblance to other creature cards like Flametongue Kavu. Both cards belong to the Kavu family and offer more than just creature presence; they impact the board upon arrival. While Flametongue Kavu is known for its ability to deal damage to a target creature, Pygmy Kavu sets itself apart with its card draw capability, drawing a card for each black creature your opponents control when it enters the battlefield.

Exploring further, Raging Kavu is worth mentioning. Despite being from the same tribe, its flash ability allows for surprise tactics, unlike the direct utility offered by Pygmy Kavu’s draw effect. Lastly, one can’t overlook Kavu Chameleon. This creature provides versatility with its color-shifting ability, ensuring protection from color-targeting spells, differentiating it from Pygmy Kavu’s static abilities.

Assessing creature functionality and added game mechanics, Pygmy Kavu stands its ground among MTG Kavu creatures, offering a unique blend of presence and potential card advantage against certain decks, making it a card to consider in the Kavu-synergy strategy.

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

Ulvenwald Oddity // Ulvenwald Behemoth - MTG Card versions

Monkey Monkey Monkey - MTG Card versions

Matsu-Tribe Birdstalker - MTG Card versions

Order of the Sacred Bell - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Pygmy Kavu MTG card by a specific set like Planeshift, 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 Pygmy Kavu and other MTG cards: