Kari Zev, Crew of TwoHow it works & interactions with other cards

What It Does

Kari Zev is a 4-mana 3/3 with Menace and Haste. Whenever she attacks, if you don't already control a legendary Monkey, she conjures a card named Ragavan, Nimble Pilferer directly onto the battlefield tapped and attacking. Because she conjures the card rather than creating a token, the Ragavan is a real card that will return to your hand at the end of the turn, allowing you to cast it normally in future turns.

How It Resolves Step by Step

First, you declare Kari Zev, Crew of Two as an attacker. Her triggered ability checks if you control a legendary Monkey; if you do not, the ability goes on the stack. Upon resolution, a Ragavan, Nimble Pilferer is conjured onto the battlefield tapped and attacking the same player or planeswalker Kari Zev is attacking. At the beginning of the next end step, a delayed triggered ability triggers: if Ragavan is still on the battlefield, it is returned to your hand.

Common Mistakes

A common mistake is forgetting the Legend Rule. If you already control a Ragavan, Nimble Pilferer when Kari Zev attacks, her ability will not trigger at all. Additionally, since the Ragavan is conjured and then returned to your hand, it becomes a permanent part of your deck for the rest of the game. Do not confuse this with a token; if Ragavan is destroyed, it goes to your graveyard like any other card.

When to Play It

Kari Zev is best utilized in decks that can capitalize on early aggression. Because she has Menace, she is difficult to block, and because she brings Ragavan with her, she forces the opponent to have multiple blockers ready. She is especially effective when you have ways to double your triggered abilities or when you want to build up card advantage by bouncing Ragavan back to your hand for reuse.

Interaction examples

Doubling the Crew

Roaming Throne

If you control Roaming Throne with 'Human' or 'Pirate' chosen, Kari Zev's attack ability triggers twice. The first trigger conjures Ragavan, Nimble Pilferer. However, because you now control a legendary Monkey, the second trigger will see that you control one and will not produce a second Ragavan.

Maximizing Monkey Value

Ragavan, Nimble Pilferer

Kari Zev attacks and conjures Ragavan onto the battlefield. If Ragavan deals combat damage, you create a Treasure token and exile the top card of the opponent's library to cast. At the end of the turn, Ragavan returns to your hand. On your next turn, you can use the Treasure to help pay for Ragavan's Dash cost, attacking again even if Kari Zev is no longer on the field.

Navigating Blockers

Solemn Simulacrum

When Kari Zev attacks, your opponent controls Solemn Simulacrum. Because Kari Zev has Menace, she cannot be blocked by the Golem alone. Even if the opponent blocks Ragavan with the Golem, Kari Zev will likely deal her damage unhindered, and you still get to return Ragavan to your hand at the end of the turn if he survives combat.