Kenrith's Transformation MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityUncommon
TypeEnchantment — Aura
Abilities Enchant

Key Takeaways

  1. Kenrith’s Transformation delivers both creature control and a card draw, making it a valuable two-for-one spell.
  2. Its ability to neutralize powerful creatures alters the battlefield dynamics to your favor, disrupting the opponent.
  3. Having enchantment removal or bounce strategies is crucial to countering the effects of Kenrith’s Transformation.

Text of card

Enchant creature When Kenrith's Transformation enters the battlefield, draw a card. Enchanted creature loses all abilities and is a green Elk creature with base power and toughness 3/3. (It loses all other card types and creature types.)


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Kenrith’s Transformation is an excellent tool for drawing cards. When it enters the battlefield, it allows the player to draw a card, immediately evening out the resources spent on the enchantment and sometimes propelling the player ahead if the enchanted creature was providing card advantage to the opponent.

Resource Acceleration: While Kenrith’s Transformation doesn’t directly accelerate resources in terms of mana production, it can effectively slow down an opponent’s strategy. By turning a powerful creature into a 3/3 Elk, it diminishes the utility of that creature, which can indirectly speed up your game plan by hampering theirs.

Instant Speed: The charm of Kenrith’s Transformation doesn’t come from being an instant itself but from being able to be cast at any point during your main phases. This allows players the flexibility to respond to dynamic board states, strategically deploying it to negate an opponent’s threat or to disable an ability-based creature at the most opportune moment.:


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Although Kenrith’s Transformation allows you to neutralize a significant threat by turning it into a harmless Elk, it does require a card to be discarded as part of its enchantment ability which can deplete your hand, making it less appealing when you’re holding onto key cards.

Specific Mana Cost: Kenrith’s Transformation has a mana cost that requires green mana, making it less flexible for decks that are not green-centric or those that might struggle with mana fixing.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The enchantment comes with a somewhat weighty mana cost for its effect. While the ability to draw a card somewhat offsets this, there are instances where the cost might be too steep, especially when other lower-cost removal options are available that could more efficiently deal with threats.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Kenrith’s Transformation offers a unique solution to deal with problematic creatures by nullifying their abilities and reducing their threat level while also providing card draw in green, which is always useful no matter the deck’s strategy.

Combo Potential: This enchantment works particularly well in decks that revolve around commanders with triggered abilities or in any strategy looking to exploit enchantment synergies or Polymorph effects, helping you manipulate the battlefield to your advantage.

Meta-Relevance: In a landscape where powerful creatures can dominate the board, Kenrith’s Transformation acts as an equalizer. It’s highly relevant in a meta full of high-impact creatures and commanders, providing an efficient disruption tool that’s always good to have at the ready.


How to beat

Kenrith’s Transformation is a unique card, standing out in the realm of creature enchantments within Magic: The Gathering. It’s an Aura with the power to neutralize formidable creatures by not only turning them into harmless Elks with no abilities but also drawing you a card upon entry. This single move can severely cripple your opponent’s strategy, especially if they rely heavily on a creature’s powerful abilities.

But how do you overcome such a transformation? The answer lies in removal spells or enchantment destruction abilities that can target either the enchantment or your own creature. In some cases, you might even benefit from bouncing your transformed creature to hand and replaying it. It’s essential to be ready with cards like Naturalize or Krosan Grip, which can directly destroy the enchantment, releasing your creature from its elk form.

To summarize, while Kenrith’s Transformation can be a seemingly insurmountable obstacle, a well-timed enchantment removal or bounce effect can easily turn the tides. Keep these cards as a part of your strategy, and you’ll be ready to restore your creatures to their original glory, reclaiming control of the game.


BurnMana Recommendations

If you’re looking to enhance your MTG deck’s capabilities, Kenrith’s Transformation is a card worth considering. This enchantment’s potential to neutralize threats and offer card draw can be a game-changer. Whether you’re countering formidable creatures or just seeking to advance your deck’s strategy, this card brings versatility and element of surprise to the table. For those looking to deepen their knowledge and harness the full potential of Kenrith’s Transformation, our resources are here to guide you. Dig into our expert insights and refine your deck for an edge in your upcoming duels. Explore with us and maximize your MTG prowess.


Cards like Kenrith's Transformation

Kenrith’s Transformation leads an intriguing group of aura spells in Magic: The Gathering that neutralize threats by altering creature abilities. Similar to Darksteel Mutation, both cards transform problematic creatures into less harmful entities, with Kenrith’s Transformation also rewarding the caster with an extra card for their troubles. However, Darksteel Mutation provides indestructibility, making it a mixed blessing at times.

Another comparable enchantment is Kasmina’s Transmutation, which, like Kenrith’s Transformation, nullifies creature abilities and power. Kenrith’s Transformation, though, stands out with its cantrip effect, potentially providing a tactical advantage through additional card draw. Lignify also shares the theme of rendering opposing creatures impotent but lacks the card draw that makes Kenrith’s Transformation a strong contender in utility.

Comparing these enchantments, Kenrith’s Transformation not only excels at neutralizing key threats but also furthers game strategy by drawing a card. Its unique blend of disruption and advantage slots it comfortably among the top choices for deck builders seeking versatile control options within Magic: The Gathering’s rich arsenal of spells.

Darksteel Mutation - MTG Card versions
Kasmina's Transmutation - MTG Card versions
Lignify - MTG Card versions
Darksteel Mutation - Commander 2013 (C13)
Kasmina's Transmutation - War of the Spark (WAR)
Lignify - Lorwyn (LRW)

Cards similar to Kenrith's Transformation by color, type and mana cost

Aspect of Wolf - MTG Card versions
Regeneration - MTG Card versions
Lifeforce - MTG Card versions
Gaea's Touch - MTG Card versions
Night Soil - MTG Card versions
Sylvan Library - MTG Card versions
Primal Rage - MTG Card versions
Survival of the Fittest - MTG Card versions
Crosswinds - MTG Card versions
Fortitude - MTG Card versions
Tranquil Grove - MTG Card versions
Treetop Bracers - MTG Card versions
Root Cage - MTG Card versions
Elfhame Sanctuary - MTG Card versions
Compost - MTG Card versions
Thoughtleech - MTG Card versions
Weaver of Harmony - MTG Card versions
Shigeki, Jukai Visionary - MTG Card versions
Fertile Ground - MTG Card versions
Quiet Disrepair - MTG Card versions
Aspect of Wolf - Treasure Chest (PZ2)
Regeneration - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Lifeforce - Summer Magic / Edgar (SUM)
Gaea's Touch - The Dark (DRK)
Night Soil - Commander 2013 (C13)
Sylvan Library - Dominaria Remastered (DMR)
Primal Rage - Stronghold (STH)
Survival of the Fittest - Vintage Masters (VMA)
Crosswinds - Urza's Saga (USG)
Fortitude - Urza's Saga (USG)
Tranquil Grove - Classic Sixth Edition (6ED)
Treetop Bracers - Tenth Edition (10E)
Root Cage - Prophecy (PCY)
Elfhame Sanctuary - Invasion (INV)
Compost - Seventh Edition (7ED)
Thoughtleech - Seventh Edition (7ED)
Weaver of Harmony - Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty Promos (PNEO)
Shigeki, Jukai Visionary - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Fertile Ground - Wilds of Eldraine Commander (WOC)
Quiet Disrepair - Future Sight (FUT)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Kenrith's Transformation MTG card by a specific set like Throne of Eldraine and Throne of Eldraine, 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 Kenrith's Transformation and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Kenrith's Transformation Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2019-10-04 and 2023-09-08. Illustrated by Kimonas Theodossiou.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12019-10-04Throne of EldraineELD 3952015normalblackKimonas Theodossiou
22019-10-04Throne of EldraineELD 1642015normalblackKimonas Theodossiou
32021-07-23Forgotten Realms CommanderAFC 1622015normalblackKimonas Theodossiou
42023-09-08Wilds of Eldraine CommanderWOC 1282015normalblackKimonas Theodossiou

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Kenrith's Transformation has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
CommanderLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Kenrith's Transformation card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

DateText
2019-10-04 Because damage remains marked on a creature until the damage is removed as the turn ends, nonlethal damage dealt to a creature may become lethal if Kenrith's Transformation becomes attached to it during that turn.
2019-10-04 Effects that modify a creature's power and/or toughness, such as the effect of Festive Funeral, will apply to the creature no matter when they started to take effect. The same is true for any counters that change its power and/or toughness.
2019-10-04 If the affected creature gains an ability after Kenrith's Transformation becomes attached to it, it will keep that ability.
2019-10-04 If the creature Kenrith's Transformation would enchant is an illegal target by the time the Aura spell resolves, the entire spell doesn't resolve. It won't enter the battlefield, so its ability won't trigger.
2019-10-04 Kenrith's Transformation may enchant a permanent that is only temporarily a creature, such as Enchanted Carriage. If this happens, the Aura's effect causes the enchanted permanent to remain a green Elk creature even after the temporary effect expires.
2019-10-04 Kenrith's Transformation overwrites all colors and creature types the enchanted creature has. It's just a green Elk. The creature keeps any supertypes (such as legendary) it has, but loses any other card types it has (such as artifact).
2019-10-04 Kenrith's Transformation overwrites all previous effects that set the creature's base power and toughness to specific values. Any power- or toughness-setting effects that start to apply after Kenrith's Transformation becomes attached to a creature will overwrite this effect.

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