Kozilek's Translator MTG Card


Kozilek's Translator - Oath of the Gatewatch
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Eldrazi Drone
Abilities Devoid
Released2016-01-22
Set symbol
Set nameOath of the Gatewatch
Set codeOGW
Power 3
Toughness 5
Number74
Frame2015
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byIzzy

Key Takeaways

  1. Enables casting more powerful spells by ramping without additional land drops, particularly for colorless mana decks.
  2. Requires card discard and specifically colorless mana, potentially restricting its overall deck compatibility.
  3. Combos well in most decks needing flexible mana solutions, maintaining relevance in diverse MTG metagames.

Text of card

Devoid (This card has no color.) Pay 1 life: Add to your mana pool. Activate this ability only once each turn. ( represents colorless mana.)

From nothingness, sustenance.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Kozilek’s Translator might not directly draw you cards, it plays a significant role in enabling you to cast more powerful spells or deploy multiple threats in a single turn. This indirectly creates card advantage by overwhelming opponents with superior board presence.

Resource Acceleration: Kozilek’s Translator is a key player in resource acceleration, especially in decks that utilize colorless mana. By providing a consistent source of colorless mana each turn without a land drop, it offers a steady ramp that can be pivotal for casting game-changing Eldrazi spells earlier than usual.

Instant Speed: Although the Translator itself isn’t an instant, the colorless mana it generates can be crucial for activating abilities or casting spells at instant speed. This leaves you flexible to respond to the state of the game while continuing to develop your own strategy.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Kozilek’s Translator can provide an acceleration in mana, it comes with a requirement to discard a card, which might not be advantageous when you are already behind in card advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: Kozilek’s Translator demands a specific mana investment of colorless mana, which can be restrictive for decks not focused on an Eldrazi or colorless strategy.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of five mana, Kozilek’s Translator competes with other more impactful spells in the same range, potentially making it less attractive for inclusion in finely-tuned decks.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Kozilek’s Translator can be a solid addition to any deck that seeks flexible mana solutions. As a colorless creature, it can slot into a variety of deck archetypes, supporting strategies that require a bit of extra mana ramp to cast impactful spells.

Combo Potential: The ability of Kozilek’s Translator to generate additional colorless mana each turn can be a key component in executing combos or enabling the casting of powerful Eldrazi creatures sooner than your opponents anticipate.

Meta-Relevance: Given the diverse array of strategies in the current gaming landscape, having a reliable source of colorless mana can be crucial. Kozilek’s Translator maintains its relevance by helping players adapt and react to a meta that values efficiency and adaptability.


How to beat

Kozilek’s Translator is known for its ability to bolster your mana pool in MTG by enabling the production of colorless mana, which can be pivotal for casting eldritch spells or activating formidable abilities. This characteristic can give opponents a significant advantage, especially in decks that harness the power of colorless cards.

However, overcoming the advantage that Kozilek’s Translator provides is not insurmountable. One strategy involves focusing on removing the creature before it can be used to its full potential. This could be achieved through spells that force the player to sacrifice a creature, or through direct removal cards that can bypass the Translator’s formidable toughness. Additionally, including counterspells in your deck to prevent Kozilek’s Translator from entering the battlefield is a proactive way to mitigate its impact. Another approach is to limit the usefulness of colorless mana by engaging in faster gameplay, thereby outpacing the setup that Kozilek’s Translator requires.

Ultimately, while Kozilek’s Translator can certainly shift the tide of battle in MTG, there are multiple avenues players can take to neutralize its influence and maintain control over the game’s flow.


Cards like Kozilek's Translator

Kozilek’s Translator holds a unique role in mana-fixing within the landscape of MTG. It bears resemblance to creatures like Palladium Myr, which also functions as a mana accelerator, providing two colorless mana to your pool. Nevertheless, Kozilek’s Translator is distinguished by its capacity to exploit colorless mana, specifically for Eldrazi spells and abilities, coupled with its ‘pay life to activate’ ability, a trade-off Palladium Myr doesn’t require.

Comparatively, we have Conduit of Ruin. While it also assists with casting Eldrazi, its ability is aimed towards reducing the cost of the first creature spell each turn rather than providing a steady mana supply. Moreover, Conduit of Ruin brings added value by letting you search your library for an Eldrazi card, setting it up on the top. This sort of deck manipulation is something Kozilek’s Translator can’t offer, focusing instead on immediate mana gain.

In assessing these tools for Eldrazi-focused decks, Kozilek’s Translator competes favorably. Its low energy threshold to generate mana and flexibility in use without tapping make it a practical choice for players seeking to unleash powerful creatures and effects swiftly onto the battlefield.

Palladium Myr - MTG Card versions
Conduit of Ruin - MTG Card versions
Palladium Myr - Scars of Mirrodin (SOM)
Conduit of Ruin - Battle for Zendikar (BFZ)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Kozilek's Translator MTG card by a specific set like Oath of the Gatewatch, 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 Kozilek's Translator and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Kozilek's Translator has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal

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