Kavu Runner MTG Card


Kavu Runner - Invasion
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Kavu
Released2000-10-02
Set symbol
Set nameInvasion
Set codeINV
Power 3
Toughness 3
Number150
Frame1997
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byDouglas Shuler

Key Takeaways

  1. Kavu Runner can filter your deck, offering card advantage and better gameplay decisions.
  2. It may enhance your tempo, but requires a careful deck build to truly shine.
  3. Works well with instant-speed spells, adding unexpected turns and strategic depth.

Text of card

Kavu Runner has haste as long as no opponent controls a white or blue creature. (It may attack and oc T the turn it comes under your control.)


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Kavu Runner has the potential to give you a leg up in card economy by allowing you to filter through your deck. This ability can be invaluable in drawing into more action or finding the right answers at the right time.

Resource Acceleration: If Kavu Runner is in a deck well-suited to enable its abilities, it can significantly increase your tempo over your opponents. It may not directly generate mana or treasure, but its presence on the board can pressure your opponent into making unfavorable plays or consuming resources to handle it.

Instant Speed: The power of Kavu Runner might not be tied to instant speed directly, but it synergizes well with instant-speed spells that can trigger its abilities during unexpected times. This flexibility could provide a significant advantage during crucial turns in the game.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One downside of Kavu Runner is that some versions require you to discard a card in order to unleash its potential. This can be a hefty price to pay, especially when you’re trying not to deplete your hand faster than your opponent.

Specific Mana Cost: Kavu Runner has a specific mana requirement that can cause a bit of a hiccup in decks not heavily invested in those colors. This can restrict its versatility and make it a less preferable option for multi-color decks that may struggle with mana consistency.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that is on the high side for its stats and abilities, Kavu Runner could be overshadowed by other creatures in the same cost bracket. Players might opt for creatures that either provide more value or have a greater impact on the board for the same, or less, investment.


Reasons to Include Kavu Runner in Your Collection

Versatility: Kavu Runner is a dynamic card that can easily adapt to various game scenarios. Its ability to switch from defense to offense depending on your land count makes it a strong contender in decks that modulate between aggressive and control strategies.

Combo Potential: This creature’s landfall trigger offers synergies with decks designed to put multiple lands into play. This can lead to explosive turns where Kavu Runner becomes a sizeable threat in no time, meshing well with land-centric combo builds.

Meta-Relevance: In a game state where aggressive strategies are prominent, Kavu Runner holds its ground by being a cost-effective creature that can grow with the game and apply pressure. It fits snugly into the current environment by adapting to the pacing of the match.


How to beat Kavu Runner

Kavu Runner is an interesting creature card that can pose a substantial threat on the battlefield. As a creature that becomes more powerful as the game progresses, it requires strategic planning to overcome. One effective measure to defeat Kavu Runner is to remove it early on. Utilizing low-cost removal spells can efficiently handle this growing threat before it becomes unblockable.

Another tactic is to limit its scaling potential by controlling the graveyard. Cards like Rest in Peace or Grafdigger’s Cage can hinder its ability to gain counters, thereby keeping it manageable. Moreover, employing deathtouch creatures as blockers can serve as a deterrent, making your opponent think twice before attacking with their Kavu Runner. Finally, traditional control strategies work well, using counterspells and board clears to ensure this Kavu doesn’t overtake the game. By keeping these strategies in mind, you can neutralize Kavu Runner and maintain a strong position in your match.


Cards like Kavu Runner

Exploring the diverse landscape of creature cards in MTG, Kavu Runner finds itself nestled in an interesting niche. Comparable creatures include the likes of Pouncing Kavu, with both cards celebrating the Kavu subtype’s inherent aggression and adaptability. However, Kavu Runner is distinctive in potentially becoming unblockable if a player controls two or more basic lands of the same type, offering an intriguing advantage in specific deck builds that focus on land type synergy.

Comparatively, Ember Beast also holds a 3/4 power toughness at a similar mana cost, yet lacks the tactical edge of becoming unblockable, which can edge out opponents in the late game. On another note, the classic Shivan Dragon, although more mana-intensive, shares the characteristic of manipulating power with land control and can provide an explosive impact in the right circumstances.

Upon an in-depth look, Kavu Runner proves its mettle within its subset, uniquely combining the flexibility of an unblockable trait with acceptable mana cost efficiency, potentially pressing opponents into tough defensive decisions in the strategical playfields of MTG.

Pouncing Kavu - MTG Card versions
Ember Beast - MTG Card versions
Shivan Dragon - MTG Card versions
Pouncing Kavu - MTG Card versions
Ember Beast - MTG Card versions
Shivan Dragon - MTG Card versions

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

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Crimson Manticore - MTG Card versions
Márton Stromgald - MTG Card versions
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Wildfire Emissary - MTG Card versions
Flowstone Giant - MTG Card versions
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Ogre Taskmaster - MTG Card versions
Dragon Whelp - MTG Card versions
Keldon Warlord - MTG Card versions
Crimson Manticore - MTG Card versions
Márton Stromgald - MTG Card versions
Reckless Embermage - MTG Card versions
Wildfire Emissary - MTG Card versions
Flowstone Giant - MTG Card versions
Rathi Dragon - MTG Card versions
Mogg Bombers - MTG Card versions
Warmonger - MTG Card versions
Bloodfire Kavu - MTG Card versions
Whipkeeper - MTG Card versions
Anger - MTG Card versions
Nalathni Dragon - MTG Card versions
Everquill Phoenix - MTG Card versions
Goblin Goon - MTG Card versions
Lesser Gargadon - MTG Card versions
Krark-Clan Engineers - MTG Card versions
Shimatsu the Bloodcloaked - MTG Card versions
Ogre Taskmaster - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

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

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Kavu Runner has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

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