Kazarov, Sengir Pureblood MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost7
RarityRare
TypeLegendary Creature — Vampire
Abilities Flying
Power 4
Toughness 4

Key Takeaways

  1. Kazarov can dominate the board by growing stronger when opponents’ creatures take damage.
  2. It requires tailored decks and may deplete resources for its ability activation.
  3. Kazarov suits control decks, making opponent’s creature plays riskier.

Text of card

Flying Whenever a creature an opponent controls is dealt damage, put a +1/+1 counter on Kazarov, Sengir Pureblood. : Kazarov deals 2 damage to target creature.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Kazarov, Sengir Pureblood provides an ongoing benefit that can potentially overwhelm your opponents by incrementally increasing its power whenever a creature an opponent controls is dealt damage. This ability to grow without expending additional cards from your hand is a subtle form of card advantage, as it potentially allows Kazarov to deal with multiple threats over time.

Resource Acceleration: While Kazarov itself does not directly provide resource acceleration, its presence incentivizes strategies that include damage-dealing effects which can often lead to indirect resource advantages. Board control thanks to damage- based removal spells can leave an opponent’s resources depleted while you maintain a strong board presence.

Instant Speed: While Kazarov operates at sorcery speed, it synergizes well with instant-speed damage sources. This means you can interact with your opponents on their turn, potentially growing Kazarov by dealing damage to creatures your opponents are committing to the board during their own phases. The intrinsic synergy with instant speed removal can occasionally give it pseudo-instant speed functionality in the right deck.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One downside to Kazarov, Sengir Pureblood is that activating its abilities often requires sacrificing or discarding other cards. This can hamper your hand size and deplete valuable resources, making it a tough sell in formats where card advantage is key.

Specific Mana Cost: Being a card with a specific mana cost profile, Kazarov demands a dedicated slot in your mana base. Requiring black and red mana, Kazarov needs a deck tailored to these colors, potentially limiting the range of decks in which it can be effectively played.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For a creature that offers incremental advantage through damage accumulation, the seven-mana investment can be steep. In an MTG metagame where speed and efficiency are critical, Kazarov’s high cost makes it a sometimes cumbersome addition, especially when compared to other options in the same mana range that could provide immediate board impact or value.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Kazarov, Sengir Pureblood offers adaptability for decks looking to exploit damage-based triggers. As a flying creature, it fits well into strategies that aim to control the skies and benefit from pinging opponents or creatures.

Combo Potential: This card holds potential to form deadly combos in decks that can consistently deal damage. Each time you ping an opponent or their creatures, Kazarov gets stronger, setting the stage for a game-ending swing.

Meta-Relevance: In a game where creature-based strategies are prevalent, Kazarov can become a keystone in a deck that discourages opponents from deploying creatures or punishes them for doing so.


How to beat Kazarov, Sengir Pureblood

Confronting Kazarov, Sengir Pureblood on the battlefield can be a daunting challenge; this notorious vampire is known for growing in power with each injury your creatures endure. To gain the upper hand against Kazarov, consider strategies that limit or prevent damage rather than dealing it in small increments. Cards like Shielded by Faith can provide your creatures with the necessary invulnerability to thwart Kazarov’s power-boosting ability.

Additionally, countering Kazarov before it hits the field is a sound strategy. Save your counter spells for this creature, ensuring it doesn’t get a chance to alter the game in your opponent’s favor. Should Kazarov slip through the cracks and enter the fray, turning to exile effects, such as those found on Settle the Wreckage, can permanently remove the threat without triggering its ability. Alternatively, employ removal spells after Kazarov has reached the field; use spells like Murder at the end of your opponent’s turn, so that Kazarov is sidelined without having influenced the board state.

Rallying your game plan around these defensive and strategic measures can turn the tide against Kazarov, Sengir Pureblood, helping you maintain control of the game’s rhythm and lead you to victory.


Cards like Kazarov, Sengir Pureblood

Exploring the vampire lore in MTG brings up Kazarov, Sengir Pureblood, a card with potency in the right circumstances. Kazarov is akin to other creatures that grow stronger with the game’s progression, such as Sunscorch Regent. While Sunscorch Regent gains life and +1/+1 counters whenever an opponent casts a spell, Kazarov capitalizes on damage dealt to creatures to bulk up.

Another card with a related concept is Managorger Hydra, which also swells in strength with each spell cast, but lacks the specialized focus on damage to creatures. Unlike Kazarov, the Hydra’s triggers are more passive, yet potentially more frequent, as they’re not tied to combat damage. However, it’s important to note that Kazarov’s ability to gain counters is not limited to just your turn, making him a versatile threat during any combat.

Ultimately, Kazarov, Sengir Pureblood delivers value in MTG decks revolving around control and incremental advantage. While Managorger Hydra and Sunscorch Regent are both strong in their rights, the strategic depth Kazarov adds by leveraging battlefield events can tip the scales in a protracted game.

Sunscorch Regent - MTG Card versions
Managorger Hydra - MTG Card versions
Sunscorch Regent - MTG Card versions
Managorger Hydra - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Kazarov, Sengir Pureblood MTG card by a specific set like Dominaria Promos and Dominaria, 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 Kazarov, Sengir Pureblood and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Kazarov, Sengir Pureblood Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2018-04-27 and 2018-04-27. Illustrated by Igor Kieryluk.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12018-04-27Dominaria PromosPDOM 96s2015NormalBlackIgor Kieryluk
22018-04-27DominariaDOM 962015NormalBlackIgor Kieryluk

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Kazarov, Sengir Pureblood has restrictions

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

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2018-04-27 If Kazarov is dealt damage at the same time that a creature an opponent controls is dealt damage, Kazarov must survive the damage to get a +1/+1 counter.
2018-04-27 If a creature is dealt an amount of damage “for each” of something, that damage is dealt as one event and Kazarov’s triggered ability triggers only once.
2018-04-27 Kazarov’s triggered ability triggers once for each creature dealt damage at one time.

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