Kraul Warrior MTG Card


Kraul Warrior’s adaptability can lead to card advantage by reducing the need for card expenditure. The level-up potential demands strategic play, adding depth to combat scenarios. While versatile, it requires a discard and specific green mana, limiting deck inclusion.
Card setsReleased in 6 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Insect Warrior
Power 2
Toughness 2

Text of card

: Kraul Warrior gets +3/+3 until end of turn.

The insectile kraul lurk in the tunnels below street level. Many are loyal to the Golgari Swarm, but others follow their own esoteric caste system.


Cards like Kraul Warrior

Kraul Warrior is an intriguing creature card in MTG, sharing similarities with a host of other creature cards commonly used for utility in various decks. Much like the famed Giant Growth, Kraul Warrior has the latent ability to increase its power, although it utilizes its mana investment to transform from a mere 2/2 to a formidable 5/5 beater. While Giant Growth offers a temporary boost, Kraul Warrior’s investment is permanent, giving it an edge in sustained board presence.

Comparatively, Looming Altisaur stands as a testament to toughness, bringing a solid 1/7 body to the field for the same mana cost. However, it lacks the potential for power increase, positioning Kraul Warrior as the more aggressive pick. Then there’s Grizzly Bears, a classic vanilla 2/2 for two mana that is akin to Kraul Warrior’s base stats, but without the upside of growth.

Assessing the options, Kraul Warrior embodies the balance between an unassuming early game presence and the latent threat of becoming a significant creature later on. Its inherent versatility makes it a valuable asset in MTG decks favoring adaptability and the element of surprise.

Giant Growth - MTG Card versions
Looming Altisaur - MTG Card versions
Grizzly Bears - MTG Card versions
Giant Growth - MTG Card versions
Looming Altisaur - MTG Card versions
Grizzly Bears - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Kraul Warrior by color, type and mana cost

Wyluli Wolf - MTG Card versions
Whirling Dervish - MTG Card versions
Grizzly Bears - MTG Card versions
River Boa - MTG Card versions
Eladamri, Lord of Leaves - MTG Card versions
Albino Troll - MTG Card versions
Silverglade Pathfinder - MTG Card versions
Priest of Titania - MTG Card versions
Quirion Elves - MTG Card versions
Blurred Mongoose - MTG Card versions
Llanowar Loamspeaker - MTG Card versions
Genesis Hydra - MTG Card versions
Jolrael, Mwonvuli Recluse - MTG Card versions
Scavenging Ooze - MTG Card versions
Heir of the Wilds - MTG Card versions
Mayor of Avabruck // Howlpack Alpha - MTG Card versions
Wren's Run Vanquisher - MTG Card versions
Muscle Sliver - MTG Card versions
Utopia Tree - MTG Card versions
Bloodline Shaman - MTG Card versions
Wyluli Wolf - MTG Card versions
Whirling Dervish - MTG Card versions
Grizzly Bears - MTG Card versions
River Boa - MTG Card versions
Eladamri, Lord of Leaves - MTG Card versions
Albino Troll - MTG Card versions
Silverglade Pathfinder - MTG Card versions
Priest of Titania - MTG Card versions
Quirion Elves - MTG Card versions
Blurred Mongoose - MTG Card versions
Llanowar Loamspeaker - MTG Card versions
Genesis Hydra - MTG Card versions
Jolrael, Mwonvuli Recluse - MTG Card versions
Scavenging Ooze - MTG Card versions
Heir of the Wilds - MTG Card versions
Mayor of Avabruck // Howlpack Alpha - MTG Card versions
Wren's Run Vanquisher - MTG Card versions
Muscle Sliver - MTG Card versions
Utopia Tree - MTG Card versions
Bloodline Shaman - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Though the Kraul Warrior card by itself doesn’t generate card advantage, its adaptability in the later stages of the game allows it to become a more potent threat without the need to expend additional cards from your hand. This can indirectly translate to maintaining card advantage as you’re spending less on your threats over time.

Resource Acceleration: Kraul Warrior doesn’t directly accelerate resources in terms of mana generation, but it offers a scalable threat, meaning investment early in the game can lead to a larger creature later on without the need for extra mana expenditure. This efficiency can leave your resources free to allocate elsewhere, indirectly supporting resource acceleration strategies.

Instant Speed: Despite not being an instant itself, the Kraul Warrior’s level-up ability requiring instant-speed interaction demands respect from opponents. Players who are aware of the potential for the card to grow during combat or at the end of a turn must play conservatively or risk being overpowered by the transformed creature.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Kraul Warrior demands a specific action or condition to maximize its potential, such as requiring a card to be discarded to trigger an effect, which can be a setback when your hand is already depleted.

Specific Mana Cost: Kraul Warrior comes with a mana cost that includes green mana, potentially restricting its seamless inclusion in decks that aren’t centered around green mana or multicolored strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although Kraul Warrior’s cost is moderate, when considering its basic stats, other cards at a similar mana cost may provide greater value or versatility, making it a less optimal choice in some situations.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: The Kraul Warrior card serves as a reliable creature in any MTG deck that focuses on building a strong board presence. Its ability to adapt to different stages of the game, functioning as both an early blocker or a powered-up attacker, makes it exceptionally flexible.

Combo Potential: As a creature with the adaptability to grow stronger, Kraul Warrior can synergize well with mechanics that amplify creature abilities. Its variable power level works well with both tribal buffs and general green growth spells, setting the stage for powerful combos.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where the battlefield is frequently contested, a card that can serve multiple roles like Kraul Warrior is invaluable. Whether you need early defense or a late-game threat, its scaling ability ensures relevance throughout the entirety of a match.


How to beat

The Kraul Warrior card presents itself as a formidable creature on the battlefield within the Magic: The Gathering realm. It brings a level of versatility to green decks, affording players the chance to employ it either as an early blocker or a sizable force in the later stages of the game. Its innate ability to become more substantial through its mana-driven self-pump feature makes it a threat to be reckoned with, especially in games that stretch out and accumulate abundant mana resources.

Yet, just like any other creature in MTG, a well-devised strategy can overcome the challenge it represents. Employing removal spells that can handle creatures irrespective of size is a solid approach. Cards such as Doom Blade or Murder can dispatch it with ease, ensuring it does not get an opportunity to grow. Utility spells that prevent abilities from activating, such as Pithing Needle, can also neutralize its threat without having to remove it from the field. Additionally, including creatures that can consistently outclass it in terms of power and toughness will render the self-pump advantage moot. Thus, maintaining control of the board and being prepared with answers to versatile threats are key to triumphing over a card like Kraul Warrior.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Kraul Warrior MTG card by a specific set like Dragon's Maze and Battlebond, 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 Kraul Warrior and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Kraul Warrior Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 2013-05-03 and 2024-02-23. Illustrated by David Rapoza.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12013-05-03Dragon's MazeDGM 422003NormalBlackDavid Rapoza
22018-06-08BattlebondBBD 2042015NormalBlackDavid Rapoza
32019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 12532015NormalBlackDavid Rapoza
42020-09-26The ListPLST BBD-2042015NormalBlackDavid Rapoza
52022-12-02Jumpstart 2022J22 6842015NormalBlackDavid Rapoza
62024-02-23Ravnica: Clue EditionCLU 1682015NormalBlackDavid Rapoza

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Kraul Warrior has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal