Kamahl's Desire MTG Card


Kamahl's Desire - Odyssey
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeEnchantment — Aura
Abilities Enchant,Threshold
Released2001-10-01
Set symbol
Set nameOdyssey
Set codeODY
Number199
Frame1997
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byDave Dorman

Key Takeaways

  1. Kamahl’s Desire enchants creatures, potentially generating card advantage when targeted.
  2. This enchantment can be cast at instant speed, maximizing in-game tactics and efficiency.
  3. Though it requires red mana, it’s a versatile card that fits various deck strategies.

Text of card

Enchanted creature has first strike. Threshold Enchanted creature gets +3/+0. (You have threshold as long as seven or more cards are in your graveyard.)


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Kamahl’s Desire enables you to enchant a creature which, when it becomes the target of a spell, allows its controller to draw a card. This can potentially generate card advantage by inviting opponents to interact with the enchanted creature, thereby refilling your hand.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly a resource accelerator, Kamahl’s Desire can speed up your game plan by making it less appealing for opponents to target the enchanted creature, effectively conserving your resources.

Instant Speed: Kamahl’s Desire can be cast at instant speed, offering flexibility and allowing you to respond to threats or developments on the battlefield without having to commit mana during your own turn. This can lead to more efficient plays and surprise advantages during complex board states.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: As with any spell that demands a card discard, Kamahl’s Desire can be taxing on your hand, especially if you’re strategizing to maintain a full grip of options.

Specific Mana Cost: The necessity for red mana implies that Kamahl’s Desire cannot easily slot into every deck, particularly those that are not base red or that tend to have a more diverse mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its mana cost leaning towards the higher side for its effects, players might find it cumbersome compared to other choices that might not hit as hard but provide more utility or flexibility for the same or lower mana investment.


Reasons to Include Kamahl’s Desire in Your Collection

Versatility: Kamahl’s Desire proves its worth in an array of decks, slotting seamlessly into strategies that capitalize on casting numerous spells or those requiring enchantment synergies. Its ability to enhance a creature repeatedly makes it a flexible option across multiple game scenarios.

Combo Potential: This card opens the door for various combos, especially in red or spell-heavy decks. When coupled with cards that untap creatures or double spell effects, Kamahl’s Desire can significantly amplify your offensive capabilities each turn. It’s an enabler for explosive plays that could turn the tide of a game.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta-game where tempo plays and board presence are crucial, Kamahl’s Desire holds its ground. It adjusts well to the pace of play, providing consistent value as games progress. Its ability to keep creatures threatening while also potentially removing blockers ensures it stays relevant in diverse match-ups.


How to beat

Kamahl’s Desire is a unique Aura in Magic: The Gathering, often sneaking into red decks that enjoy a dash of control. This enchantment attaches to a creature, granting it an ability that can spell trouble for adversaries as it deals damage to the target of its attacks. However, despite its potential, overcoming Kamah’s Desire can be achieved with clever strategy and card choices.

To navigate past Kamahl’s Desire, cards that provide hexproof or shroud to your creatures nullify its effect, as they cannot be targeted. Additionally, employing instant-speed removal can disrupt the strategy before the enchanted creature gets a chance to attack and utilize the enchantment’s capacity. Counter spells are also pivotal when dealing with Kamahl’s Desire, allowing you to prevent the enchantment from hitting the battlefield altogether. Moreover, keep in mind that board wipes can clear the path by removing all creatures, including those embellished with Auras.

Understanding the mechanics and knowing what tools in your arsenal can directly counter this enchantment is key. Knowing your deck and anticipating your opponent’s moves will help you maintain dominance on the battlefield despite the fiery will of Kamahl’s Desire.


Cards like Kamahl's Desire

The enthralling enchantment Kamahl’s Desire brings a unique dynamic to the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering. Echoing the functions of cards like Sure Strike, Kamahl’s Desire shares the ability to give a creature a significant boost in power. However, while Sure Strike is transient, bestowing its bonus for only a turn, Kamahl’s Desire remains on the battlefield, granting a potentially perpetual benefit as long as the enchantment remains in play.

Another striking comparison is Samut’s Sprint, which provides not only a power increase but also haste to a creature, allowing for immediate impact. Nevertheless, this spell’s effects are fleeting, unlike Kamahl’s Desire’s continuous buff. Furthermore, there’s the card Titan’s Strength, which similarly increases a creature’s power – offering a scry bonus to boot. Yet again, it’s a one-time burst compared to Kamahl’s Desire’s ongoing enhancement.

Ultimately, in the realm of power-boosting spells, Kamahl’s Desire distinguishes itself by providing a sustaining advantage, making it a formidable option for players seeking to maintain consistent pressure on their adversaries in Magic: The Gathering.

Sure Strike - MTG Card versions
Samut's Sprint - MTG Card versions
Titan's Strength - MTG Card versions
Sure Strike - Battle for Zendikar (BFZ)
Samut's Sprint - War of the Spark (WAR)
Titan's Strength - Theros (THS)

Cards similar to Kamahl's Desire by color, type and mana cost

Power Surge - MTG Card versions
Raging River - MTG Card versions
Smoke - MTG Card versions
Goblin Kites - MTG Card versions
The Brute - MTG Card versions
Giant Strength - MTG Card versions
Lightning Reflexes - MTG Card versions
Goblin Festival - MTG Card versions
Scald - MTG Card versions
Cave Sense - MTG Card versions
Flowstone Surge - MTG Card versions
Maniacal Rage - MTG Card versions
Battle Strain - MTG Card versions
Goblin Bombardment - MTG Card versions
Underworld Breach - MTG Card versions
Lightning Rift - MTG Card versions
Fractured Loyalty - MTG Card versions
Fire Whip - MTG Card versions
Emblem of the Warmind - MTG Card versions
Goblin War Paint - MTG Card versions
Power Surge - Fourth Edition (4ED)
Raging River - Collectors' Edition (CED)
Smoke - Masters Edition IV (ME4)
Goblin Kites - Fallen Empires (FEM)
The Brute - Renaissance (REN)
Giant Strength - Fourth Edition (4ED)
Lightning Reflexes - Mirage (MIR)
Goblin Festival - Urza's Destiny (UDS)
Scald - World Championship Decks 1999 (WC99)
Cave Sense - Mercadian Masques (MMQ)
Flowstone Surge - Nemesis (NEM)
Maniacal Rage - Conflux (CON)
Battle Strain - Odyssey (ODY)
Goblin Bombardment - Mystery Booster (MB1)
Underworld Breach - Theros Beyond Death Promos (PTHB)
Lightning Rift - Onslaught (ONS)
Fractured Loyalty - Mirrodin (MRD)
Fire Whip - Time Spiral Timeshifted (TSB)
Emblem of the Warmind - Future Sight (FUT)
Goblin War Paint - The List (PLST)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Kamahl's Desire MTG card by a specific set like Odyssey, 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 Kamahl's Desire and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Kamahl's Desire has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

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