Kozilek, the Great Distortion MTG Card


Drawing up to seven cards upon casting Kozilek can dramatically shift game momentum in your favor. Countering spells with its ability requires strategic hand management to maximize effectiveness. Its colorless mana casting cost promotes synergy but can challenge deck building flexibility.
Card setsReleased in 9 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost10
RarityMythic
TypeLegendary Creature — Eldrazi
Abilities Menace
Power 12
Toughness 12

Text of card

When you cast Kozilek, the Great Distortion, if you have fewer than seven cards in hand, draw cards equal to the difference. Menace Discard a card with converted mana cost X: Counter target spell with converted mana cost X.

A void as cryptic as reality itself.


Cards like Kozilek, the Great Distortion

Kozilek, the Great Distortion stands tall among the roster of powerful Eldrazi titans within Magic: The Gathering. This legendary creature commands attention with its impressive stats and unique ability to control the flow of the game. In terms of power level and impact, Ulamog, the Ceaseless Hunger is often discussed in the same breath. While both are cast for 10 mana, Kozilek offers the advantage of refilling your hand, potentially altering the tide in your favor. Conversely, Ulamog’s ability to exile two target permanents can be game-ending on its own, making it a formidable threat on any battlefield.

Another noteworthy card in this comparison is Emrakul, the Promised End. Although Kozilek does not allow you to take control of an opponent’s turn like Emrakul does, the card draw and counter spell-like ability bring a different strategic angle to the table. Emrakul’s higher casting cost is offset by its potential cost reduction mechanism, but Kozilek’s instant hand replenishment and proactive defense mechanism can often be just as impactful.

While evaluating these mighty Eldrazi, it’s evident that Kozilek, the Great Distortion offers a blend of aggression and control, a potent combination for players looking to influence the game with a balance of raw power and subtle manipulation.

Ulamog, the Ceaseless Hunger - MTG Card versions
Emrakul, the Promised End - MTG Card versions
Ulamog, the Ceaseless Hunger - MTG Card versions
Emrakul, the Promised End - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Mono-Green TronMono-Green Tron ModernMono-Green TronModern Challenge 32 2024-04-20
Gruul RampGruul Ramp PioneerGruul RampPioneer Challenge 32 2024-04-15
Four-color PlaneswalkersFour-color Planeswalkers GladiatorSword and Sandals Showdown: AM Week 12 2024
Mono-Blue TronMono-Blue Tron ModernMono-Blue Tron$10K RCQ - Modern - SCG CON Philadelphia - Saturday - 9:00 am
DecklistDecklist Free form0()
Selesnya TronSelesnya Tron ModernMono-Green Tron$20K RCQ (Top 4) - Modern - SCG CON Cincinnati - Saturday - 10:00 am
Colorless 12-PostColorless 12-Post LegacyColorless Cloudpost2023 Asia Legacy Championship
Mono-Black CoffersMono-Black Coffers ModernMono-Black Midrange$5K RCQ - Modern - SCG CON Pittsburgh - Sunday - 9:00 am

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Kozilek, the Great Distortion offers a substantial boost in hand presence by allowing you to draw cards until you have seven in your hand upon casting. This refill mechanism can often turn the tide of a game, especially if you’ve been running low on resources.

Resource Acceleration: With its unique casting cost which includes colorless mana, this card synergizes well with decks that accelerate mana production through lands like Eldrazi Temple or artifacts that tap for colorless mana. The ability to play a high-impact creature earlier than usual can give you a significant advantage.

Instant Speed: The menace ability may not operate at instant speed, but Kozilek’s capability to counter spells at instant speed by discarding a card with the same converted mana cost is what gives it a reactive edge. This can disrupt your opponent’s strategy and protect your game plan, while maintaining the flow of your own turns.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Kozilek, the Great Distortion brings a unique counter ability to the table, requiring players to have a card with the exact converted mana cost of the spell they’re attempting to counter. In situations where your hand doesn’t match the threats being cast by opponents, Kozilek’s potential to shield you from harm can be significantly diminished.

Specific Mana Cost: While the colorless mana requirement for casting Kozilek provides flexibility for deckbuilding, it imposes a strict condition on the types of lands or mana sources you need. Ensuring you have enough sources of colorless mana can strain your manabase, especially in multicolored decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of ten mana, Kozilek is considered one of the more mana-intensive creatures you could cast. For the same investment, players might find options that could potentially impact the board more immediately or provide advantage even if the creature were to be removed swiftly after hitting the battlefield.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Kozilek, the Great Distortion offers an adaptable presence in any deck capable of ramping up to its casting cost. Its ability to counter spells by discarding a card with the same converted mana cost gives players a unique control element in the late game.

Combo Potential: This card’s ability to refill your hand up to seven cards when cast can set the stage for various powerful plays, bolstering strategies that thrive on card advantage. It also synergizes well with discard and reanimation tactics.

Meta-Relevance: With the ever-shifting landscape of competitive play, Kozilek serves as a formidable answer to many prevalent threats. Its Menace keyword ensures it’s seldom blocked, and the capacity to disrupt opponent plays makes it a force in numerous matchups.


How to beat Kozilek the Great Distortion

Kozilek the Great Distortion is a formidable presence in games of Magic: The Gathering, offering both an immediate impact on the field and a lasting threat. This Eldrazi titan commands attention through its formidable power and toughness, combined with a counter ability that targets spells with the same converted mana cost as the cards in a player’s hand. Overcoming this creature requires strategic planning and precise execution. One effective strategy is to deploy spells without giving the Kozilek controller a chance to establish a varied hand, limiting their ability to counter your moves. You can also turn to removal spells that do not target, such as board wipes, which circumvent Kozilek’s counterspell ability.

Another angle of attack is to pressure the mana base, given that Kozilek demands significant resources to play. Land destruction or taxing effects can hinder your opponent’s ability to cast the titan or limit their responses once it’s on the battlefield. Finally, taking advantage of Kozilek’s requirement for colorless mana, you can introduce color-specific threats that might stretch your opponent’s mana filtering capabilities. These tactics, when used cleverly, can dismantle the distortion and tip the scales back in your favor.


BurnMana Recommendations

Delving into the world of MTG, particularly with powerhouse cards like Kozilek, the Great Distortion, can vastly enhance your gameplay. If you’re seeking to reinforce your deck with a mix of defensive prowess and sheer force, this card is a trove of potential. Kozilek’s dual ability to instantly replenish your hand and counter threats creates dynamic encounters. As you assemble your next game-winning strategy, consider the tactical flexibility that Kozilek can offer. Dive deeper with us and discover how to integrate this Eldrazi titan’s strengths into your deck, refining your matchups, and seizing victory with cunning and power.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Kozilek, the Great Distortion MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Oath of the Gatewatch, 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 Kozilek, the Great Distortion and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Kozilek, the Great Distortion Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 2016-01-22 and 2023-08-04. Illustrated by 4 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 624932015NormalBlackJaime Jones
22016-01-22Oath of the GatewatchOGW 42015NormalBlackAleksi Briclot
32016-01-22Oath of the Gatewatch PromosPOGW 4s2015NormalBlackAleksi Briclot
42019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 4932015NormalBlackChris Rahn
52022-12-13Explorer Anthology 2EA2 12015NormalBlackAleksi Briclot
62023-08-04Commander MastersCMM 6682015NormalBorderlessGrant Griffin
72023-08-04Commander MastersCMM 10572015NormalBorderlessGrant Griffin
82023-08-04Commander MastersCMM 22015NormalBlackAleksi Briclot
92023-08-04Commander MastersCMM 4522015NormalBlackAleksi Briclot

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Kozilek, the Great Distortion 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 Kozilek, the Great Distortion card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2016-01-22 If there’s an in the mana cost of the card you discard, that X is 0. Any in the mana cost of the target spell will have whatever value was determined for it as the spell was cast.
2016-01-22 Kozilek’s triggered ability checks to see if you have fewer than seven cards in hand when you cast it. Kozilek is on the stack at this time and not in your hand. If you don’t, the ability won’t trigger at all. If the ability does trigger, it will check again as it tries to resolve. If you have seven or more cards in hand at that time, the ability won’t do anything.
2016-01-22 The converted mana cost of a spell doesn’t change, even if it’s been cast using an alternative cost (such as an awaken cost). For example, the converted mana cost of a Sheer Drop (a spell with mana cost ) that’s been cast for its awaken cost of is 3.
2016-01-22 To activate the last ability, there must be a legal target: a spell on the stack. That target will determine the value of X and the converted mana cost of the card you discard. You can’t activate the ability unless you can match the converted mana cost of a spell on the stack to that of a card in your hand.