Darien, King of Kjeldor MTG Card


Turning damage taken into a growing army offers a unique card advantage and deck resilience. Instant speed token generation enables surprise tactics and complex battlefield strategies. Resource acceleration through token sacrifice can significantly advance your game position.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost6
RarityRare
TypeLegendary Creature — Human Soldier
Power 3
Toughness 3

Text of card

Whenever you're dealt damage, you may put that many 1/1 white Soldier creature tokens into play.

"With his dream of unification fulfilled, Darien became the last king of Kjeldor. Those who followed were known as the kings of New Argive." —*Kjeldor: Ice Civilization*


Cards like Darien, King of Kjeldor

Darien, King of Kjeldor is an intriguing character in the world of MTG. A significant part of his allure lies in his unique ability to create soldier tokens whenever you take damage, reminiscent of cards like Hero of Bladehold. While Hero of Bladehold also generates soldier tokens, it does so through attacking, instead of capitalizing on player damage. This subtle yet impactful difference aligns Darien with a defensive strategy rather than an aggressive stance.

Comparably, Captain of the Watch is another card that bolsters your army with soldier tokens. But once again, the distinction is clear; the Captain brings tokens onto the battlefield as a one-time event upon entering the battlefield, whereas Darien has a persistent effect that can trigger multiple times throughout the game. Furthermore, Trostani, Selesnya’s Voice, bears some similarity by offering a way to populate the board with tokens, yet its focus is on life gain parallel to token creation, contrasting Darien’s more resilient, reactive nature.

To put it simply, Darien offers a strategic advantage in games where you can turn potential setbacks into opportunities, consistently populating the field with soldiers, and turning the tides of battle in ways singular events from other cards might not be able to match.

Hero of Bladehold - MTG Card versions
Captain of the Watch - MTG Card versions
Trostani, Selesnya's Voice - MTG Card versions
Hero of Bladehold - MTG Card versions
Captain of the Watch - MTG Card versions
Trostani, Selesnya's Voice - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Darien, King of Kjeldor by color, type and mana cost

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Pearl Dragon - MTG Card versions
Alabaster Dragon - MTG Card versions
Elite Archers - MTG Card versions
Cho-Arrim Bruiser - MTG Card versions
Radiant Solar - MTG Card versions
Guardian Archon - MTG Card versions
Archon of Coronation - MTG Card versions
Shieldmage Elder - MTG Card versions
Gempalm Avenger - MTG Card versions
Noble Templar - MTG Card versions
Silverstorm Samurai - MTG Card versions
Auratouched Mage - MTG Card versions
Oathsworn Giant - MTG Card versions
Deathless Angel - MTG Card versions
Kjeldoran Gargoyle - MTG Card versions
Duskrider Peregrine - MTG Card versions
Crovax, Ascendant Hero - MTG Card versions
Lairwatch Giant - MTG Card versions
Spirit of the Hearth - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: With Darien, King of Kjeldor on the battlefield, every point of damage dealt to you becomes a potential opportunity to create a Soldier token. This transforms life loss into an army of creatures, effectively leveraging what would normally be a drawback into a chance for escalating card advantage on the board.

Resource Acceleration: While Darien himself does not directly provide mana, the tokens generated can be excellent fodder for other cards or abilities that sacrifice creatures for additional resources. For instance, combining Darien with cards that tap creatures for mana or sacrifice them for cost can turn each token into a valuable resource, potentially accelerating your game plan.

Instant Speed: Darien’s ability works at instant speed, meaning any damage you take, be it on your turn or your opponent’s, can instantly be converted into Soldier tokens. This opens strategic options, allowing you to wait until the last possible moment to generate tokens, potentially surprising an opponent during combat or at the end of their turn.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Darien, King of Kjeldor doesn’t necessitate discarding as a direct cost, it can sometimes indirectly prompt you to sacrifice card advantage. Summoning this creature requires a significant investment, leaving fewer cards in hand that could respond to impending threats or that could be used for strategic plays later on.

Specific Mana Cost: This legendary creature comes with a demanding White mana cost, requiring not just six mana but also at least three White sources. This heavy color commitment to White can be restrictive for multicolored decks or those that would benefit from a more flexible mana base, thus limiting where Darien can perform optimally.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Darien’s casting cost is on the higher end for creature cards, and with a cost of six mana, players may find themselves facing a tempo disadvantage. Other cards in the same mana range could potentially offer more immediate impact on the game state, which sometimes makes Darien less appealing in faster paced, competitive environments where efficient mana expenditure is key.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Darien, King of Kjeldor offers a broad utility, seamlessly integrating into any Soldier tribal or life-gain deck. His unique ability to create Soldier tokens when you take damage adds a defensive layer, transforming potential setbacks into battlefield advantages.

Combo Potential: Darien’s synergy with cards that manipulate life totals, like Soul Warden or Suture Priest, can quickly spiral into formidable combos. Utilizing his ability to amass an army while maintaining a stable life total creates powerful interactions that can overwhelm opponents.

Meta-Relevance: In metagames where strategies often revolve around dealing non-lethal increments of damage, Darien’s presence dissuades opponents from attacking and shifts the dynamic of player interactions. As a result, including Darien in a deck can offer strategic depth and tactical advantage tailored to disrupt common metagame tactics.


How to Beat

Darien, King of Kjeldor is a unique MTG card that can fortify a player’s defense by creating soldier tokens whenever damage is dealt to them. Confronting this monarchical force requires strategic offensive plays and clever use of removals. Cards like Wrath of God can reset the battlefield, wiping away the token advantage. Additionally, attacking the life total indirectly through effects that don’t deal damage, such as poison counters or mill strategies, can circumvent Darien’s ability. Another effective method includes employing cards like Stigma Lasher to ensure that the damage turns into a long-term disadvantage for the Darien-led player.

Moreover, spot removals and selective board wipes that target white creatures, or using combat tricks to overpower the tokens before they become too numerous, are pivotal to gaining control. It’s critical to dismantle the synergies around Darien as well, by focusing on key enchantments or artifacts that bolster the token strategy. Planning ahead to neutralize this powerful card without allowing an opponent to capitalize on its strengths is essential in claiming victory over a deck featuring Darien, King of Kjeldor.


BurnMana Recommendations

If you’ve found the strategic depth and synergy of Darien, King of Kjeldor intriguing, it’s only the tip of the iceberg in the realm of MTG. Exploring effective deck-building strategies, especially around unique abilities like Darien’s, can significantly enhance your gameplay. Whether you’re refining a Soldier tribal deck or assembling a life-gain combo, understanding the meta and utilizing cards that complement your playstyle are essential for victory. Upgrading your collection with versatile cards that resonate with your strategy is key. Dive deeper into MTG strategies, broaden your horizons, and enrich your deck. For more insights and recommendations, step into our realm of MTG expertise.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Darien, King of Kjeldor MTG card by a specific set like Coldsnap and Masters 25, 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 Darien, King of Kjeldor and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Darien, King of Kjeldor Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2006-07-21 and 2024-02-09. Illustrated by Michael Phillippi.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12006-07-21ColdsnapCSP 42003NormalBlackMichael Phillippi
22018-03-16Masters 25A25 92015NormalBlackMichael Phillippi
32020-09-26The ListPLST CSP-42003NormalBlackMichael Phillippi
42024-02-09Murders at Karlov Manor CommanderMKC 592015NormalBlackMichael Phillippi

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Darien, King of Kjeldor has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2018-03-16 If you’re dealt damage that causes your life total to become 0 or less, you lose the game before the tokens can be created.