Kalonian Behemoth MTG Card


Kalonian Behemoth - Magic 2010
Mana cost
Converted mana cost7
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Beast
Abilities Shroud
Released2009-07-17
Set symbol
Set nameMagic 2010
Set codeM10
Power 9
Toughness 9
Number188
Frame2003
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byDaarken

Key Takeaways

  1. Necessitates big mana, enabling massive battlefield impact when used in ramp strategies.
  2. Shroud ability makes it resilient, a formidable addition to green-centric decks.
  3. Non-targeting removals like board wipes are key to overcoming the Behemoth’s defenses.

Text of card

Shroud (This creature can't be the target of spells or abilities.)

"Do not fire upon it—it is bad luck. And a waste of arrows." —Alera Benath, Kalonian ranger


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Kalonian Behemoth, with its sheer presence on the battlefield, often demands an answer from opponents. Due to its heft, removing the Behemoth usually requires more than one card from your opponent’s hand, effectively serving as a card advantage for you even if the Behemoth is eventually dealt with.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly providing resource acceleration, the Behemoth’s substantial power and toughness make it an ideal target for “ramp” strategies. Decks that focus on quickly accumulating mana can put Kalonian Behemoth into play early, turning it into a powerful resource that pressures opponents immensely.

Instant Speed: Although Kalonian Behemoth does not possess any abilities that it can activate at instant speed, its massive 9/9 stats mean that once it is on the battlefield, it has to be treated with urgency. Opponents must factor it into their combat and spell casting decisions immediately, often altering their game plan at a pace they’re not comfortable with.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Kalonian Behemoth, as part of a beastly green lineup, thankfully sidesteps this particular downside, making it an intriguing choice for decks that favor creature permanence over potential card loss.

Specific Mana Cost: This towering creature commands an exclusive green mana cost allocation, necessitating a significant green mana base. This specificity can hinder the card’s inclusion in multicolored decks that may struggle to consistently meet the green mana threshold.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a summoning cost that soars to eight mana, the Kalonian Behemoth’s strength comes at a steep price. The substantial mana investment needed to bring this titanic beast to the battlefield means players must wait longer to unleash its potential, while other cards at lower mana costs could be providing immediate benefits.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Kalonian Behemoth is a formidable card that can seamlessly integrate into green heavy decks, especially those that rely on creature strength and stompy tactics. Its sheer size makes it an impactful presence on any battlefield.

Combo Potential: With its massive 9/9 structure, the behemoth works wonders in decks that synergize with high power creatures. It’s ideal for combinations with cards that grant trample or other evasion abilities, ensuring that its strength translates into direct player damage.

Meta-Relevance: Given its resilience against most removal spells due to its “Shroud” ability, the behemoth can be a game-changer in a meta that heavily leans on targeted removal, securing your board presence while opponents struggle to find an answer.


How to beat

Kalonian Behemoth is one of those formidable cards that can be a real challenge to tackle on the battlefield. With its massive 9/9 stats and shroud, it means it can’t be the target of spells or abilities your opponents control, it often seems like an indestructible force once it hits the table. The key to overcoming this green juggernaut is to plan ahead and focus on non-targeting strategies. Board wipe spells that don’t target individual creatures, like Day of Judgment or Wrath of God, can clear the behemoth off the board despite its shroud. Cards that change the rules of engagement, such as Meekstone, which taps creatures with power 3 or greater, can neutralize the behemoth without having to target it directly.

Another effective method is using cards that force your opponent to sacrifice creatures. Since these don’t target specific creatures, they circumvent the shroud mechanic entirely. Effects like Diabolic Edict or Liliana of the Veil can prove invaluable in these scenarios. If you’re playing a green deck yourself, harness the power of fight cards like Prey Upon, which allow your creatures to battle Kalonian Behemoth without having to target it. Building a versatile deck and knowing when to hold onto your key spells until the perfect moment is crucial when facing a beast of this caliber.


Cards like Kalonian Behemoth

The Kalonian Behemoth is a towering force in the world of MTG, boasting an imposing presence on the battlefield with its massive power and toughness. When looking at creatures of similar stature, the Terra Stomper is a card that often comes to mind. It too is an enormous creature, but the Terra Stomper has the added advantage of being uncounterable and possessing trample, making it a more offensive threat.

Comparatively, Ghalta, Primal Hunger aligns with the Behemoth’s colossal theme but with a dynamic cost reduction feature based on the total power of creatures you control. This might make Ghalta more versatile in decks that can rapidly deploy a suite of creatures. Meanwhile, the Behemoth’s simplicity offers it an untarnished place in decks focusing on sheer might and protecting valued non-token creatures from being the target of spells or abilities.

Ultimately, each large creature card, including the Kalonian Behemoth, caters to different strategies and playstyles in MTG. The Behemoth stands out in scenarios where resilience and size are paramount, specifically in decks that aim to capitalize on its ability to skirt enemy spells and effects.

Terra Stomper - MTG Card versions
Ghalta, Primal Hunger - MTG Card versions
Terra Stomper - Resale Promos (PRES)
Ghalta, Primal Hunger - Rivals of Ixalan Promos (PRIX)

Cards similar to Kalonian Behemoth by color, type and mana cost

Thorn Elemental - MTG Card versions
Penumbra Wurm - MTG Card versions
Stone-Tongue Basilisk - MTG Card versions
Thriss, Nantuko Primus - MTG Card versions
Beanstalk Giant // Fertile Footsteps - MTG Card versions
Somberwald Beastmaster - MTG Card versions
Cultivator Colossus - MTG Card versions
Garruk's Horde - MTG Card versions
Krosan Tusker - MTG Card versions
Avenger of Zendikar - MTG Card versions
Hundroog - MTG Card versions
Enormous Baloth - MTG Card versions
Ancient Ooze - MTG Card versions
Cytospawn Shambler - MTG Card versions
Panglacial Wurm - MTG Card versions
Molimo, Maro-Sorcerer - MTG Card versions
Duskdale Wurm - MTG Card versions
Pelakka Wurm - MTG Card versions
Engulfing Slagwurm - MTG Card versions
Maul Splicer - MTG Card versions
Thorn Elemental - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Penumbra Wurm - Ultimate Masters (UMA)
Stone-Tongue Basilisk - Odyssey Promos (PODY)
Thriss, Nantuko Primus - Judgment (JUD)
Beanstalk Giant // Fertile Footsteps - Throne of Eldraine (ELD)
Somberwald Beastmaster - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Cultivator Colossus - Innistrad: Crimson Vow (VOW)
Garruk's Horde - Welcome Deck 2017 (W17)
Krosan Tusker - The List (PLST)
Avenger of Zendikar - Jumpstart 2022 (J22)
Hundroog - Legions (LGN)
Enormous Baloth - Tenth Edition (10E)
Ancient Ooze - Scourge (SCG)
Cytospawn Shambler - Dissension (DIS)
Panglacial Wurm - The List (PLST)
Molimo, Maro-Sorcerer - Tenth Edition (10E)
Duskdale Wurm - Iconic Masters (IMA)
Pelakka Wurm - Rise of the Eldrazi (ROE)
Engulfing Slagwurm - Scars of Mirrodin (SOM)
Maul Splicer - New Phyrexia (NPH)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Kalonian Behemoth MTG card by a specific set like Magic 2010, 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 Kalonian Behemoth and other MTG cards:

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See Magic products

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Kalonian Behemoth has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Recent MTG decks

Continue exploring other format decks
More decks