Kaervek, the Spiteful MTG Card


Enhances board control with passive debuff, indirectly increasing card advantage through opponent trades. Demands a black-centric mana base, which can limit deck diversity and stability in mana flow. In the right meta, Kaervek becomes essential, excelling against creature-heavy strategies and tokens.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityRare
TypeLegendary Creature — Human Warlock
Power 3
Toughness 2

Text of card

Other creatures get -1/-1.


Cards like Kaervek, the Spiteful

Kaervek, the Spiteful stands out among creatures that passively debuff opponents’ creatures in MTG. His ability to give opposing creatures -1/-1 may remind seasoned players of Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite, though Elesh Norn’s effect is significantly stronger, affecting both power and toughness to a greater degree. However, Elesh Norn’s higher mana cost and placement in white’s slice of the color pie contrast sharply with Kaervek’s more accessible black mana cost and broader deck compatibility.

Another card worth mentioning in the same breath as Kaervek is Night of Souls’ Betrayal. This enchantment delivers an identical effect, applying a continuous -1/-1 to all creatures your opponents control. Unlike Kaervek, Night of Souls’ Betrayal isn’t tied to a creature body, making it less susceptible to removal. The enchantment’s higher mana cost, and lack of offensive presence Kaervek provides, balance these aspects out.

Considering these comparisons, Kaervek, the Spiteful holds its ground as a valuable card for players aiming to stifle their opponents’ boards. While other cards offer similar abilities, Kaervek’s blend of offensive and defensive capabilities at a moderate cost ensures his place in the pantheon of creature debuffs.

Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite - MTG Card versions
Night of Souls' Betrayal - MTG Card versions
Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite - MTG Card versions
Night of Souls' Betrayal - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Kaervek, the Spiteful by color, type and mana cost

Hell's Caretaker - MTG Card versions
Rag Man - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Debaser - MTG Card versions
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Slinking Skirge - MTG Card versions
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Scandalmonger - MTG Card versions
Urborg Shambler - MTG Card versions
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Cabal Surgeon - MTG Card versions
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Demon of Catastrophes - MTG Card versions
Bold Plagiarist - MTG Card versions
Dirge Bat - MTG Card versions
Gixian Puppeteer - MTG Card versions
Toxin Sliver - MTG Card versions
Vampiric Spirit - MTG Card versions
Nim Shambler - MTG Card versions
Bad Ass - MTG Card versions
Scourge of Numai - MTG Card versions
Hell's Caretaker - MTG Card versions
Rag Man - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Debaser - MTG Card versions
Xiahou Dun, the One-Eyed - MTG Card versions
Slinking Skirge - MTG Card versions
Gravedigger - MTG Card versions
Scandalmonger - MTG Card versions
Urborg Shambler - MTG Card versions
Whispering Shade - MTG Card versions
Cabal Surgeon - MTG Card versions
Filth - MTG Card versions
Demon of Catastrophes - MTG Card versions
Bold Plagiarist - MTG Card versions
Dirge Bat - MTG Card versions
Gixian Puppeteer - MTG Card versions
Toxin Sliver - MTG Card versions
Vampiric Spirit - MTG Card versions
Nim Shambler - MTG Card versions
Bad Ass - MTG Card versions
Scourge of Numai - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Kaervek, the Spiteful. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
DecklistDecklist Free formMO89#CS

Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Kaervek, the Spiteful doesn’t directly allow you to draw cards, his ability to weaken all other creatures can lead to beneficial trades or the survival of your creatures, indirectly contributing to card advantage through board presence.

Resource Acceleration: Kaervek’s low casting cost facilitates early play, helping to establish and accelerate your board state faster than your opponent can establish theirs. This early deployment can be pivotal in certain strategies that seek to maintain tempo and pressure.

Instant Speed: Though not played at instant speed, Kaervek’s static ability impacts the game immediately upon hitting the field. This constant effect can serve as a form of disruption against your opponent’s creatures, tying up resources as they attempt to deal with a decreased toughness across their board.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Kaervek, the Spiteful does not specifically require discarding cards, his abilities can inadvertently lead to a diminished hand size. His effect weakens your creatures, which could result in them being more easily removed by opponents, thereby depleting the cards you have in play and indirectly influencing your hand and board state.

Specific Mana Cost: Sporting both black and generic mana in his casting cost, this legendary creature demands a dedicated mana base. Players may find it challenging to maintain a stable mana flow, especially in multicolored decks that strain to support a consistent black mana supply for his deployment.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: At four mana, two of which are specifically black, Kaervek’s effectiveness is debatable. For a card that primarily offers a static ability to weaken opponent creatures, players may seek alternatives that provide more immediate and impactful board presence or utility for a similar or lower investment.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Kaervek, the Spiteful stands out in a variety of deck builds, offering a universal debuff that weakens creatures across the board. This effect can be instrumental when combating opponents’ strategies that rely heavily on creature-based tactics.

Combo Potential: This card’s ability to reduce the power of all other creatures opens up synergies with cards that benefit from decreased combat strength, such as enabling favorable trades or activating death-triggered abilities.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta filled with token strategies or decks that muster numerous creatures, Kaervek, the Spiteful acts as a powerful deterrent, passively diminishing their board presence and potential for aggression.


How to beat

Kaervek, the Spiteful is a unique creature card that challenges players with its ability to weaken opposing creatures. Its passive ability reduces the power of all other creatures, affecting the overall board state significantly. To navigate around Kaervek’s influence, focusing on creature abilities instead of strength can provide an advantage. Cards with impactful enter-the-battlefield effects or abilities that trigger from other game actions can still be effective under Kaervek’s oppressive presence.

Non-creature strategies are also a viable countermeasure. Spells that don’t rely on creature combat, such as direct damage or control elements, can bypass Kaervek’s power reduction. Utilizing removal spells that target Kaervek directly can quickly restore your creatures’ power levels, so keeping an answer in hand is crucial when facing this spiteful adversary.

Overall, the key to beating Kaervek, the Spiteful lies in crafting a versatile deck that doesn’t fold to a single point of failure. Building around multiple axes of attack will ensure your deck remains resilient in the face of such debilitating static abilities and preserves your path to victory.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Kaervek, the Spiteful MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Core Set 2021, 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 Kaervek, the Spiteful and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Kaervek, the Spiteful Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2020-07-03 and 2020-07-03. Illustrated by Daarken.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 820142015NormalBlackDaarken
22020-07-03Core Set 2021M21 3582015NormalBlackDaarken
32020-07-03Core Set 2021M21 1062015NormalBlackDaarken

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Kaervek, the Spiteful has restrictions

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

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2020-06-23 Because damage remains marked on a creature until the damage is removed as the turn ends, nonlethal damage dealt to creatures may become lethal if Kaervek enters the battlefield during that turn.
2020-06-23 If you control more than one Kaervek, each will give each other creature -1/-1. If these effects cause a creature's toughness to become less than or equal to 0 or the amount of damage marked on it, those creatures die at the same time that the “legend rule” remove your excess Kaerveks.