Kraum, Ludevic's Opus MTG Card


Kraum provides card advantage by rewarding you with extra draws during long games. Its Jeskai identity may require mana base adjustments, yet offers deck versatility. With instant speed abilities, Kraum adds flexible response opportunities to your strategy.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityRare
TypeLegendary Creature — Zombie Horror
Abilities Flying,Haste,Partner
Power 4
Toughness 4

Text of card

Flying, haste Whenever an opponent casts his or her second spell each turn, draw a card. Partner (You can have two commanders if both have partner.)

"It lives . . . IT LIVES!" —Ludevic, necro-alchemist


Cards like Kraum, Ludevic's Opus

Kraum, Ludevic’s Opus is a distinguished entity in the vast library of Magic: The Gathering commander options. This formidable flying card draws a parallel with other commanders like The Locust God, which also excels in leveraging card draw to create creature tokens. However, Kraum, Ludevic’s Opus boasts the added advantage of haste, allowing for immediate impact on the game board unlike The Locust God which may necessitate a turn to exert its influence.

Another card reminiscent of Kraum’s abilities is Niv-Mizzet, Parun. Both characters entwine card draw with damage output, but Niv-Mizzet, Parun necessitates a heavier mana commitment with a strict color requirement. This makes Kraum, with its more flexible casting cost, a versatile alternative for multicolor decks seeking a blend of speed and strategic depth.

Addressing these characteristics head-on, Kraum finds its place in the pantheon of MTG commander cards. It offers a unique agility and a tactical edge in commander games, presenting diverse avenues for players to exploit the dynamics of drawing and playing numerous cards in a single turn.

The Locust God - MTG Card versions
Niv-Mizzet, Parun - MTG Card versions
The Locust God - MTG Card versions
Niv-Mizzet, Parun - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Kraum, Ludevic's Opus by color, type and mana cost

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Gale, Storm Conduit - MTG Card versions
Najal, the Storm Runner - MTG Card versions
Minotaur Illusionist - MTG Card versions
Hypersonic Dragon - MTG Card versions
Uvilda, Dean of Perfection // Nassari, Dean of Expression - MTG Card versions
Zara, Renegade Recruiter - MTG Card versions
Ogre Savant - MTG Card versions
Izzet Chronarch - MTG Card versions
Stormcloud Djinn - MTG Card versions
Dominus of Fealty - MTG Card versions
Talonrend - MTG Card versions
Spellbound Dragon - MTG Card versions
Mercurial Chemister - MTG Card versions
Maverick Thopterist - MTG Card versions
Thundering Djinn - MTG Card versions
Oggyar Battle-Seer - MTG Card versions
Storm Skreelix - MTG Card versions
Lozhan, Dragons' Legacy - MTG Card versions
Firkraag, Cunning Instigator - MTG Card versions
Alora, Cheerful Swashbuckler - MTG Card versions
Gale, Storm Conduit - MTG Card versions
Najal, the Storm Runner - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Kraum, Ludevic’s Opus enables you to draw a card at the end of any turn in which an opponent cast two or more spells, contributing significantly to hand sustainability and outpacing opponents in longer matches.

Resource Acceleration: While Kraum itself doesn’t produce mana or tokens, pairing this powerful card with the right deck components can ensure you’re consistently ahead on resources and applying pressure through a powerful flyer.

Instant Speed: With the ability to immediately impact the board as soon as your opponent’s turn concludes, Kraum offers invaluable flexibility and the power to adapt swiftly to an evolving game state, keeping you one step ahead of your competitors.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Kraum, Ludevic’s Opus necessitates the discard of another card to utilize certain abilities. This can put players at a disadvantage, especially in tight situations where each card in hand is crucial for maintaining strategic momentum.

Specific Mana Cost: This legendary creature comes with a Jeskai color identity (blue, red, and white), which requires a specific mana base to cast. Players running decks outside of these colors may find it challenging to seamlessly integrate Kraum without altering their manabase significantly.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that includes five mana in total, including three of any color plus one blue and one red, Kraum, Ludevic’s Opus may be considered costly. This can slow down gameplay for aggressive or fast-paced decks that rely on lower-cost creatures to establish early board presence.


Reasons to Include Kraum, Ludevic’s Opus in Your Collection

Versatility: Kraum, Ludevic’s Opus slides seamlessly into a wide variety of decks. As a flying commander, it provides consistent pressure in the air and functions well in both aggressive and control-oriented strategies. Its ability to draw a card when an opponent casts their second spell each turn offers card advantage in long games.

Combo Potential: Kraum’s inherent synergy with decks that aim to capitalize on opponents’ actions makes it a prime candidate for combos. It pairs well with cards that limit or punish opponents’ spells, transforming their attempts to establish a board presence into fuel for your own game plan.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta that promotes casting numerous spells per turn or in multiplayer settings, Kraum becomes a valuable asset due to its card draw ability. As the environment shifts toward decks that see players casting multiple spells in a single turn, having Kraum on the field means you could potentially draw into more answers or threats to maintain or shift the game in your favor.


How to beat

Kraum, Ludevic’s Opus can be a true powerhouse in a game of MTG, known for granting players an extra card each time an opponent casts their second spell in a turn. This can feed into a strategy that fuels an aggressive or control-oriented deck, providing card advantage and an imposing flying threat in the air.

To mitigate the impact Kraum has on the game, focus on controlling the number of spells you play. Stick to casting just one spell per turn to prevent your opponent from drawing extra cards. Additionally, since Kraum has flying, employing creatures with reach or spells that can deal damage to flying creatures will be crucial in keeping it in check. Cards like ‘Plummet’ or ‘Windstorm’ are efficient ways to remove such threats. Direct removal spells like ‘Murder’ or ‘Path to Exile’ can also handle Kraum efficiently, regardless of its flying capability.

Strategically playing around Kraum, Ludevic’s Opus involves a combination of disciplined spell casting and keeping removal options at the ready. Recognizing the moments to disrupt your opponent’s momentum by eliminating their key creatures is vital, ensuring that the extra draws provided by Kraum don’t tip the scales too far in their favor.


BurnMana Recommendations

Venture into the dynamic play of MTG with Kraum, Ludevic’s Opus as your airborne accomplice. Navigating the skies while leveraging his card drawing power means continuously stocking your hand with options. Remember, bypassing high mana costs and optimizing your mana base to accommodate his Jeskai identity are key considerations when integrating Kraum into your deck. Adapt your strategy to extract maximum value from his instant speed reactions and manage resource acceleration to keep pressure on your opponents. Embrace Kraum’s unique strengths and enhance your gameplay; delve into more strategic insights and broaden your MTG horizons with us.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Kraum, Ludevic's Opus MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Commander 2016, 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 Kraum, Ludevic's Opus and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Kraum, Ludevic's Opus Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2016-11-11 and 2020-11-20. Illustrated by Aaron Miller.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 861622015NormalBlackAaron Miller
22016-11-11Commander 2016C16 342015NormalBlackAaron Miller
32016-11-16Treasure ChestPZ2 462015NormalBlackAaron Miller
42020-11-20Commander LegendsCMR 5232015NormalBlackAaron Miller

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Kraum, Ludevic's Opus has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2020-11-10 An effect that checks whether you control your commander is satisfied if you control one or both of your two commanders.
2020-11-10 Both commanders start in the command zone, and the remaining 98 cards (or 58 cards in a Commander Draft game) of your deck are shuffled to become your library.
2020-11-10 If something refers to your commander while you have two commanders, it refers to one of them of your choice. If you are instructed to perform an action on your commander (e.g. put it from the command zone into your hand due to Command Beacon), you choose one of your commanders at the time the effect happens.
2020-11-10 If your Commander deck has two commanders, you can only include cards whose own color identities are also found in your commanders' combined color identities. If Falthis and Kediss are your commanders, your deck may contain cards with black and/or red in their color identity, but not cards with green, white, or blue.
2020-11-10 Kraum's ability looks at the entire turn to determine which spell is a player's second spell. It doesn't matter whether Kraum was on the battlefield when the first spell was cast.
2020-11-10 Kraum's triggered ability can trigger only once each turn for each opponent.
2020-11-10 Kraum's triggered ability will resolve regardless of whether the first or second spell that a given opponent cast that turn has resolved, was countered, or is still on the stack. Notably, the ability will always resolve before the second spell resolves.
2020-11-10 Once the game begins, your two commanders are tracked separately. If you cast one, you won't have to pay an additional the first time you cast the other. A player loses the game after having been dealt 21 damage from any one of them, not from both of them combined.
2020-11-10 One opponent must cast two spells for Kraum's triggered ability to trigger. Two spells from different opponents won't cause it to trigger.
2020-11-10 To have two commanders, both must have the partner ability as the game begins. Losing the ability during the game doesn't cause either to cease to be your commander.
2020-11-10 You can choose two commanders with partner that are the same color or colors. In Commander Draft, you can even choose two of the same commander with partner if you drafted them. If you do this, make sure you keep the number of times you've cast each from the command zone clear for "commander tax" purposes.