Radiant Kavu MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Kavu |
| Released | 2001-02-05 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Planeshift |
| Set code | PLS |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 3 |
| Number | 120 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Ron Spencer |
Key Takeaways
- Radiant Kavu provides disruptive board control and a form of card advantage through creature bouncing.
- Its mana requirements can restrict deck compatibility, demanding a specific and often multicolored mana base.
- The card’s versatility and combo potential make it a strong meta-relevant addition to any MTG collection.
Text of card
o Ro Go W: Prevent all combat damage blue creatures and black creatures would deal this turn.
When angered or frightened, it protects itself with a burst of blinding light.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: With its ability to bounce a creature back to its owner’s hand, Radiant Kavu offers the potential to disrupt opponent strategies while setting up favorable board states for yourself, effectively giving you a form of card advantage in the struggle for board control.
Resource Acceleration: Although Radiant Kavu doesn’t provide direct mana acceleration, its multicolored nature can synergize with lands and other cards that care about color combinations, subtly accelerating your resources by fulfilling multiple color requirements with ease.
Instant Speed: The flexibility of Radiant Kavu extends to its activated ability, which can be used at instant speed. This allows savvy players to wait until the most opportune moment—perhaps in response to an opponent’s actions—thereby maximizing its potential impact on the game.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Radiant Kavu requires players to discard another card to activate its secondary ability, which could potentially lead to a depletion of your hand, negatively impacting your game strategy, especially if you’re already behind.
Specific Mana Cost: Featuring a multi-colored mana cost that includes green, red, and white, this card demands a specific mana base, which can restrict its inclusion to only certain types of decks, potentially reducing its versatility in a broader range of strategies.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value that is on the higher end for its effects, Radiant Kavu might not be the most efficient choice compared to other creatures in the same cost range, potentially slowing down your gameplay and putting you at a disadvantage against faster, more streamlined decks.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Radiant Kavu is a card that shines in various deck archetypes. Its ability to control the board by targeting creatures of specific power can be extremely beneficial in both offensive and defensive scenarios.
Combo Potential: Its color identity allows for inclusion in multicolor decks, synergizing with bounce effects or cards that capitalize on creature control mechanics. The flexibility of this card to manipulate the battlefield opens doors for numerous combo interactions.
Meta-Relevance: In a game where creature-based strategies are prevalent, the Radiant Kavu can serve as a valuable tool for maintaining board presence. It is especially useful against decks that rely on creatures with even power, affording you an edge in the evolving meta landscape.
How to Beat Radiant Kavu
The Radiant Kavu card adds a dynamic element to the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering. This creature is recognized for its prowess, especially when facing multicolored creatures, as it can be a relentless force that controls the tempo of the game. Its unique flanking ability makes it a threat to opponents’ creatures during combat, as they suffer a debuff if they don’t share a color with Radiant Kavu.
To counter the advantages Radiant Kavu brings to the table, players should consider strategies that revolve around single-color creatures or alternate methods of removal that do not rely on combat. Cards that can exile Radiant Kavu without triggering its flanking ability, such as Path to Exile or Swords to Plowshares, are effective ways to remove it from the game. Additionally, utilizing instant speed spells that can catch your opponent off-guard during their turn can mitigate the impact of Radiant Kavu. It’s essential to adapt your strategy to include these types of control elements if Radiant Kavu consistently poses a challenge in your matches.
Ultimately, understanding the mechanics at play and including cards in your deck that can handle problematic creatures like Radiant Kavu without engaging them in combat can be key to maintaining dominance in a game.
Cards like Radiant Kavu
Radiant Kavu is a unique multicolored creature that has made its mark in Magic the Gathering due to its functionality and versatility. One card that comes close to Radiant Kavu in design is Flametongue Kavu. Both creatures share the ability to impact the board immediately with their enter the battlefield trigger, which helps control the enemy’s creatures. However, Radiant Kavu takes a more defensive stance, providing its controller with a repeated option to prevent all damage that would be dealt to it by a creature of the color of its choice. This can repeatedly thwart attacks from mono-colored adversaries.
Another card worth mentioning is Knight of Autumn. While not a Kavu, this card presents a similar flexibility in dealing with various situations on the battlefield. Knight of Autumn doesn’t prevent damage, but offers either a boost in life points, a power increase, or the destruction of artifacts or enchantments, allowing for dynamic responses based on the game state. The variety provided by these creatures enhances strategies and offers adaptability mid-game.
Ultimately, while each of these cards offers something distinct, Radiant Kavu holds its own with its color-specific damage prevention and stands as a reliable choice for players seeking protective measures alongside creature control.
Cards similar to Radiant Kavu by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Radiant 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 Radiant Kavu and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Radiant Kavu has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |