Krenko, Tin Street Kingpin MTG Card


Krenko excels at multiplying battlefield goblins, maximizing board presence and card advantage with each attack. Generates tokens for resourcefulness, enabling quicker plays or advancements in your game strategy. Instant token creation post-attack offers surprising offense, transforming the game state swiftly.
Card setsReleased in 8 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeLegendary Creature — Goblin
Power 1
Toughness 2

Text of card

Whenever Krenko, Tin Street Kingpin attacks, put a +1/+1 counter on it, then create a number of 1/1 red Goblin creature tokens equal to Krenko's power.

"After the people flee, but before the enemy arrives—that's grabbin' time."


Cards like Krenko, Tin Street Kingpin

Krenko, Tin Street Kingpin is a red creature card that makes a name for itself in the creature-focused decks of Magic: The Gathering. When comparing Krenko to other goblin cards such as Legion Loyalist or Goblin Chieftain, we see clear differences in roles. Legion Loyalist provides early aggression and helpful battalion effects, while Goblin Chieftain offers a static buff to your goblin army.

Krenko stands out with his ability to generate token creatures every time he attacks, which can quickly snowball into an overwhelming goblin horde. This attribute bears resemblance to Siege-Gang Commander, yet another prolific goblin card, which also creates multiple goblin tokens. However, Siege-Gang Commander does this upon entering the battlefield and includes an ability to sacrifice goblins for direct damage, lacking the repeatable token generation of Krenko.

Pondering the unique aspects of these cards, Krenko, Tin Street Kingpin excels in decks that take advantage of repeated combat phases and synergizes beautifully with ways to increase power, demonstrating his capability to be a game-changer through sheer numbers.

Legion Loyalist - MTG Card versions
Goblin Chieftain - MTG Card versions
Siege-Gang Commander - MTG Card versions
Legion Loyalist - MTG Card versions
Goblin Chieftain - MTG Card versions
Siege-Gang Commander - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Krenko, Tin Street Kingpin by color, type and mana cost

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Dwarven Warriors - MTG Card versions
Raging Bull - MTG Card versions
Wall of Lava - MTG Card versions
Brassclaw Orcs - MTG Card versions
Imperial Recruiter - MTG Card versions
Uthden Troll - MTG Card versions
Hobgoblin Bandit Lord - MTG Card versions
Goblin Rabblemaster - MTG Card versions
Nosy Goblin - MTG Card versions
Goblin Sky Raider - MTG Card versions
Cosmic Larva - MTG Card versions
Mannichi, the Fevered Dream - MTG Card versions
Ghost-Lit Raider - MTG Card versions
Goblin Chariot - MTG Card versions
Balduvian Barbarians - MTG Card versions
Basalt Gargoyle - MTG Card versions
Orcish Artillery - MTG Card versions
Stinkdrinker Daredevil - MTG Card versions
Blind-Spot Giant - MTG Card versions
Mudbutton Torchrunner - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Krenko, Tin Street Kingpin. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Boros AggroBoros Aggro GladiatorGladiator Proving Grounds: Week 12 2024
Raging Goblins Q1 2024Raging Goblins Q1 2024 Free formCanadian Highlander for Duals - Underground Sea Guaranteed - Proxies Allowed
Mono-red GoblinsMono-red Goblins PioneerMono-Red GoblinsSat. 9:30 AM U.S. Regional Championship - Dreamhack Atlanta 2023
Four-color ZooFour-color Zoo GladiatorSword and Sandals Showdown: AM Week 08 2024
Gruul MidrangeGruul Midrange GladiatorGladiator Games: We're Back
Gruul AggroGruul Aggro PioneerGruul GoblinsPeasant Pioneer Showdown - A Josh and Pat's MTG Bazaar Sponsored Event
Gruul StompyGruul Stompy GladiatorGladiator Team Unified League

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Krenko, Tin Street Kingpin is adept at multiplying your board presence each time it attacks, creating several 1/1 red Goblin creature tokens. This feature not only builds your army but effectively increases your card advantage as you’re effectively generating multiple potential threats from a single source.

Resource Acceleration: The tokens generated by Krenko can be crucial for resource acceleration. With a deck built around token synergies, these Goblins could be converted into additional mana, allowing for larger plays or quicker deployment of your hand, propelling you ahead of your opponents on the resource curve.

Instant Speed: While Krenko himself does not function at instant speed, the swiftness with which he can expand your board state is comparable. After declaring an attack, Krenko’s ability triggers, instantly creating tokens and boosting your offensive capabilities. Moreover, in decks that can grant haste to newly created tokens, the sudden swarm of Goblins becomes an immediate concern for your opponents, forcing them to deal with a ripple effect that had formed in the blink of an eye.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Krenko, Tin Street Kingpin doesn’t specifically demand a discard, building a deck around him often means including cards that synergize with his ability, which can lead to hand depletion if you’re not careful with your resources.

Specific Mana Cost: Krenko’s casting cost requires two generic and one red mana. This means you need a commitment to red mana sources in your land base, which might not always align with multi-colored deck strategies that want to make use of his abilities.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Though Krenko’s abilities can spiral into significant board presence advantage, his three-mana cost is a critical point in the mana curve where players must choose to deploy threats or hold up answers. In fast-paced metagames, the opportunity cost of playing Krenko can sometimes outweigh the potential benefits.


Reasons to Include Krenko, Tin Street Kingpin in Your Collection

Versatility: Krenko, Tin Street Kingpin doesn’t just slot into one type of deck. This goblin warlord is a powerful addition to any red deck seeking to generate a wide board quickly. His ability to create numerous goblin tokens can scale with the game, making him useful at multiple stages during play.

Combo Potential: With the right synergies and enablers, Krenko can become an engine for explosive turns. Cards that increase his power or grant additional combat phases can turn a modest board into an overwhelming army in a blink, showcasing his potential for creating thrilling combinations.

Meta-Relevance: As the MTG landscape often sees creature-heavy decks in the meta, Krenko’s ability to produce multiple blockers or aggressive hordes can be a game-changer. He adapts well to various metas, particularly where his capability to go wide at an alarming rate can outpace opponents’ removal resources.


How to beat

Krenko, Tin Street Kingpin is a formidable card in MTG known for its ability to quickly overrun opponents with an army of Goblin tokens. When Krenko attacks and isn’t blocked, it is able to create numerous token creatures equal to its power, which can escalate the pace of the game dramatically in favor of the Krenko player.

Overcoming this threat requires a strategy focused on removal or control elements to prevent the swarm from overwhelming you. Effective tactics include using spot removal spells as soon as Krenko hits the board, which limits its token generation capability. Additionally, employing board wipes can reset the field if the number of Goblin tokens becomes unmanageable. Counter magic also plays a pivotal role – negating Krenko’s deployment prevents the initial problem altogether. Lastly, keeping creatures with reach or those that can block multiple creatures each combat can deter Krenko from attacking, stifling the primary engine behind its token generation.

Remember, the key to beating Krenko is to disrupt the combo pieces and token engines before they amass a large presence. Stay proactive in controlling the board state and Krenko, Tin Street Kingpin will be much less of a threat to your game plan.


BurnMana Recommendations

The intricate mechanics of Krenko, Tin Street Kingpin encourage strategic deck building and offer a dynamic play experience in MTG. Whether it’s maximizing token production or wisely navigating the mana curve, Krenko has proven to be a versatile powerhouse. The ability to overwhelm your opponents with a sudden army or to capitalize on token synergies presents a thrilling challenge for any player. If you’re keen to enhance your arsenal with a card that promises a robust board state and the excitement of combo possibilities, Krenko is an essential addition. Expand your MTG knowledge and explore new strategies with us as you harness the true power of this formidable goblin warlord.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Krenko, Tin Street Kingpin MTG card by a specific set like War of the Spark and War of the Spark Promos, 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 Krenko, Tin Street Kingpin and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Krenko, Tin Street Kingpin Magic the Gathering card was released in 7 different sets between 2019-05-03 and 2023-04-21. Illustrated by 3 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12019-05-03War of the SparkWAR 1372015NormalBlackMark Behm
22019-05-04War of the Spark PromosPWAR 137s2015NormalBlackMark Behm
32019-05-04War of the Spark PromosPWAR 137p2015NormalBlackMark Behm
42019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 10272015NormalBorderlessPaolo Parente
52020-09-26The ListPLST WAR-1372015NormalBlackMark Behm
62022-02-18Neon Dynasty CommanderNEC 1072015NormalBlackMark Behm
72022-09-09Dominaria United CommanderDMC 1242015NormalBlackMark Behm
82023-04-21March of the Machine CommanderMOC 2872015NormalBlackViko Menezes

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Krenko, Tin Street Kingpin 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 Krenko, Tin Street Kingpin card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2019-05-03 If Krenko leaves the battlefield after its ability has triggered but before it resolves, you don't put a +1/+1 counter on it, but you do use its power as it last existed before it left the battlefield to determine how many Goblin tokens to create.
2019-05-03 The tokens created by Krenko's triggered ability aren't attacking. Because all attackers are chosen at once, a token created this way can't attack, even if it gains haste.