Tolarian Kraken MTG Card


Card advantage is key, with Tolarian Kraken’s ability to tap islands for a potential draw. Its synergy with instant speed spells can pivot crucial moments, enhancing both offense and defense. Despite a high mana cost, it’s a tactically flexible asset for blue-based archetypes.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost6
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Kraken
Power 4
Toughness 6

Text of card

Whenever you draw a card, you may pay . When you do, you may tap or untap target creature.

"It's contemplative, resourceful, and original. Everything else aside, it's the perfect student." —Naban, dean of iteration


Cards like Tolarian Kraken

Tolarian Kraken stands as a unique creature within the vast seas of MTG. When drawn alongside other sea monsters like Aethersquall Ancient, it provides an interesting comparison. Both cards command a formidable presence on the battlefield, but Tolarian Kraken offers a controlled way to tap potential threats each time you draw a card. While Aethersquall Ancient has a sweeping effect, returning all other creatures to their owners’ hands, the Kraken’s ability can be more selective and consistent with card draws.

Examining Whelming Wave seems appropriate as well, for it represents another approach to dominating the game’s flow with a massive wave that sends most creatures back to the hand except for Krakens, Leviathans, Octopuses, and Serpents. Tolarian Kraken, though, remains on the board ready to manipulate combat with its targeted tapping ability. Then there’s Lorthos, the Tidemaker, another leviathan of the deep. Lorthos’s eight tentacles tap down eight permanents, a one-off effect yet exceptional in larger clearing. Tolarian Kraken requires setup to unleash its potential, but can consistently influence battle over many turns.

Considering the nuances of control and power, Tolarian Kraken holds its own in the realm of sea monsters, showcasing versatility and control that can become a tide-turning force in-game strategies.

Aethersquall Ancient - MTG Card versions
Whelming Wave - MTG Card versions
Lorthos, the Tidemaker - MTG Card versions
Aethersquall Ancient - MTG Card versions
Whelming Wave - MTG Card versions
Lorthos, the Tidemaker - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Tolarian Kraken by color, type and mana cost

Sea Serpent - MTG Card versions
Sibilant Spirit - MTG Card versions
Drifting Djinn - MTG Card versions
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Vedalken Dismisser - MTG Card versions
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Storm Elemental - MTG Card versions
Draining Whelk - MTG Card versions
Brine Elemental - MTG Card versions
Arcanis the Omnipotent - MTG Card versions
Quicksilver Dragon - MTG Card versions
Sea Serpent - MTG Card versions
Sibilant Spirit - MTG Card versions
Drifting Djinn - MTG Card versions
King Crab - MTG Card versions
Sea Monster - MTG Card versions
Sun Quan, Lord of Wu - MTG Card versions
Sliptide Serpent - MTG Card versions
Zanam Djinn - MTG Card versions
Mahamoti Djinn - MTG Card versions
Deepfathom Skulker - MTG Card versions
Sakashima's Protege - MTG Card versions
Zahid, Djinn of the Lamp - MTG Card versions
Shoreline Ranger - MTG Card versions
Vedalken Dismisser - MTG Card versions
Novijen Sages - MTG Card versions
Storm Elemental - MTG Card versions
Draining Whelk - MTG Card versions
Brine Elemental - MTG Card versions
Arcanis the Omnipotent - MTG Card versions
Quicksilver Dragon - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: When you untap an island, Tolarian Kraken lets you draw a card, bolstering your hand and providing an edge over your opponent by pulling more options into your strategy.

Resource Acceleration: Its ability to tap a potential blocker on your opponent’s battleground can lead to a shift in the tide, giving you the tempo advantage and the initiative during your turns.

Instant Speed: Interactions with instant speed spells and abilities synergize well with Tolarian Kraken. The ability to tap or untap a creature at crucial moments can be a game-changer, allowing for surprise blockades or enabling sneaky attacks through an opponent’s defenses.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Tolarian Kraken demands a considerable setup. For its ability to function, a player must tap a creature, which often implies having to utilize another card or resource to get the desired effect. This not only depletes your hand but may also sideline your battle strategy, especially if you’re left with insufficient cards to make a pivotal play.

Specific Mana Cost: To leverage the Kraken’s full potential, a precise mana combination is necessary — two blue and four of any other type. This can be restrictive for players who operate multicolored decks, as it demands a stable mana base to reliably cast the Kraken on curve. Those running three or more colors might find it challenging to meet this specific mana requirement when they need it most.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a total cost of six mana, the Kraken leans towards the higher end of the spectrum, which may deter some players. Decks that aim for speed and efficiency might not find a place for the Kraken, as its cost may slow them down. Faster-paced games could be over before Tolarian Kraken even has a chance to make an impact, making it a less attractive option for aggressive or tempo-focused builds.


Reasons to Include Tolarian Kraken in Your Collection

Versatility: Tolarian Kraken brings a unique mechanism to blue-based decks. Its ability to tap or untap a permanent with every draw makes it a flexible tool for control, midrange, or tempo strategies.

Combo Potential: With an engine that untaps permanents, Tolarian Kraken can enable a variety of synergies. It works exceptionally well with cards that have tap abilities or benefit from being untapped multiple times within a turn.

Meta-Relevance: As the game evolves and new sets are released, cards like Tolarian Kraken could gain importance. It holds potential in a meta that rewards players for drawing cards, thus maintaining its relevance through various shifts.


How to beat

Tolarian Kraken is a formidable presence in the world of Magic: The Gathering, often causing a rapid shift in the tides of battle. With the ability to tap or untap a creature each time you draw a card, the Kraken can create openings and disrupt your opponent’s plans. Despite its apparent strength, overcoming this leviathan is not beyond the realms of possibility.

One strategy is to take advantage of its six mana cost, which means it comes into play relatively late in the game. This gives you time to develop a board presence or keep mana open for counterspells to prevent the Kraken from resolving. Control decks excel at this, as they have numerous ways to manage threats with counterspells like “Essence Scatter” or removal spells like “Rapid Hybridization” which can swiftly deal with the creature.

Besides counterspells and removal, combat tricks can be effective, too. Cards that grant protection from blue, such as “Miscast,” can make your creatures unblockable by the Kraken, pushing through for those last points of damage. Additionally, stay mindful of card-drawing activities since the Kraken’s controller might maximize such events; halting card drawing through cards like “Narset, Parter of Veils” can negate the Kraken’s abilities. Through careful play and strategic planning, even the might of the Tolarian Kraken can be quelled.


BurnMana Recommendations

Tolarian Kraken offers an intriguing blend of control and potential card advantage for MTG enthusiasts. Its synergy with card draw and ability to tap opponents’ creatures makes it a candidate for decks looking to manipulate the pace of the game. If you’re fascinated by strategic flexibility and enjoy dictating combat terms, then the Kraken could be a worthy addition to your blue-centric builds. Seeking to enhance your control strategies or curious about forming new synergies within your deck? Explore further and discover how Tolarian Kraken can make waves in your next MTG showdown.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Tolarian Kraken MTG card by a specific set like Core Set 2021 and Jumpstart 2022, 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 Tolarian Kraken and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Tolarian Kraken Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2020-07-03 and 2022-12-02. Illustrated by Svetlin Velinov.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12020-07-03Core Set 2021M21 802015NormalBlackSvetlin Velinov
22022-12-02Jumpstart 2022J22 3622015NormalBlackSvetlin Velinov

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Tolarian Kraken has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Tolarian Kraken card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2020-06-23 If a spell or ability causes you to put a card into your hand without specifically using the word “draw,” it's not a card drawn.
2020-06-23 While resolving Tolarian Kraken's ability, you can't pay more than to tap or untap more than one creature.