Kraken MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 9 setsSee all
TypeToken Creature — Kraken
Power 9
Toughness 9
TokenTokens act as indicators during gameplay and are not included into building a deck.

Key Takeaways

  1. Krakens provide card advantage and can accelerate resources, pivotal for maintaining control of the game.
  2. They have instant speed potential for surprise plays but require careful mana and hand management.
  3. Despite high casting costs, Krakens’ game-swinging abilities merit their inclusion in certain decks.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: In the depths of the game, a Kraken card often becomes a daunting source of card advantage. By deploying tentacled behemoths onto the battlefield, players can trigger abilities that draw multiple cards, ensuring their hand remains flush with options and strategies to outmaneuver the opposition.

Resource Acceleration: The sheer presence of a Kraken can turn the tides, often providing resource acceleration through various means. Some Kraken cards may untap lands, simulating the swelling of the ocean’s waves, thus granting players additional mana to summon more creatures or cast impactful spells earlier than expected.

Instant Speed: Although not all Krakens strike at instant speed, those that do are a true testament to the unpredictability of these mythic sea monsters. Being able to flash in a gargantuan creature disrupts the opponent’s calculations, allowing for defensive maneuvers or surprise attacks that can swing the game state in your favor.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Playing a Kraken often necessitates discarding cards from your hand, which can leave you at a strategic disadvantage especially during late-game scenarios where every card counts.

Specific Mana Cost: Krakens typically require a combination of blue mana sources, which can restrict deck-building options and make it less flexible in multicolor decks that may not focus on blue mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Krakens are known for their hefty mana demands, usually costing six or more mana to cast. This can be quite prohibitive, as there are other creatures and spells in MTG with lower costs and comparable, if not superior, board impact.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Krakens are a force to be reckoned with, acting as major threats in blue-based control and midrange decks. Their immense size often translates into a substantial game impact, making them a powerhouse in commander and casual formats.

Combo Potential: Many Kraken cards synergize with sea-themed strategies, benefiting from cards that care about large creatures or various types of sea monsters. Their ability to be paired with cards that manipulate the board state or play off of their high power and toughness make them excellent combo enablers.

Meta-Relevance: As the MTG meta shifts, Krakens maintain relevance due to their potential to swing games. Their imposing presence can be a solid counter to creature-based strategies that dominate play. Additionally, their ability to evade or outclass smaller creatures could give you the upper hand in key matchups.


How to Beat

Confronting a Kraken in MTG can be an intimidating experience; these sea creatures often boast formidable power and toughness, making them a significant threat once they hit the battlefield. Successfully navigating the clash with a Kraken requires a balanced strategy to neutralize their advantage. Playing cards that force sacrifice or prevent creatures from untapping can be highly effective tactics. Cards like Pacifism or Claustrophobia help to contain these leviathans, rendering their strength irrelevant.

Counterspells are also an ally when dealing with a Kraken. By preventing their summoning altogether, you eliminate the problem before it begins. Enchantment-based removal such as Detention Sphere or Oblivion Ring can also whisk these colossal adversaries away without a fight. When facing a Kraken with the power to generate tokens, prioritize removal spells that clear multiple creatures to effectively manage the swarm.

Ultimately, overcoming a Kraken in MTG boils down to preparation and prompt response. Whether through disruption, creature containment, or direct removal, ensure your deck has the answers to tackle these deep-sea behemoths before they take control of the game.


Cards like Kraken

In the vast seas of MTG card abilities, Kraken cards represent colossal might and board presence. Take Lorthos, the Tidemaker, an iconic Kraken, renowned for bending the combat phase in your favor by selecting and tapping down a multitude of opposing permanents. In comparison, the Kraken card in discussion also demands attention with its sizable stat line and impactful board control capabilities, albeit through different mechanics.

Another comparable leviathan from the deep is Shipbreaker Kraken, which can lock down the adversaries’ assets but it requires a significant mana investment to activate its monstrous ability. While both cards echo the theme of sea giants imposing their will on the battlefield, our Kraken card does so with an innate presence rather than relying on additional mana inputs once cast.

Lastly, consider the likes of Icefall Regent, a dragon rather than a Kraken, but comparable in that it too affects the opponent’s ability to effectively utilize their creatures. Although it commands the skies rather than the seas, the Regent’s ability to freeze a threat while making it more expensive to handle is a similar control staple to that of the ocean’s titans. Thus, within the realm of large, game-shaping creatures, Kraken cards carve their niche with powerful, board-altering abilities and a capacity for turning the tide of late-game scenarios.

Lorthos, the Tidemaker - MTG Card versions
Shipbreaker Kraken - MTG Card versions
Icefall Regent - MTG Card versions
Lorthos, the Tidemaker - Zendikar (ZEN)
Shipbreaker Kraken - Commander Legends (CMR)
Icefall Regent - Dragons of Tarkir (DTK)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Kraken MTG card by a specific set like Born of the Gods and Commander 2014, 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 Kraken and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Kraken Magic the Gathering card was released in 8 different sets between 2014-02-07 and 2023-04-21. Illustrated by 4 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12014-02-07Born of the GodsBNG 52003tokenblackDan Scott
22014-11-07Commander 2014C14 92015tokenblackDan Scott
32015-02-27Duel Decks: Elspeth vs. KioraDDO 672015tokenblackDan Scott
42018-03-16Masters 25A25 62015tokenblackDan Scott
52018-03-16Masters 25A25 5★2015double_faced_tokenblackDan Scott
62020-01-24Theros Beyond DeathTHB 42015tokenblackVictor Adame Minguez
72020-04-24Ikoria: Lair of BehemothsIKO 62015tokenblackVincent Proce
82021-04-23Commander 2021C21 42015tokenblackDan Scott
92023-04-21March of the MachineMOM 42015tokenblackEdgar Sánchez Hidalgo

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