Kavu Predator is one of those cards players keep asking about. Here is, in plain words, what its official text says, the rulings published by Wizards of the Coast, and the combos players actually run.
Official card text
Trample Whenever an opponent gains life, put that many +1/+1 counters on this creature.
Complete guide
Kavu Predator is a classic threat that turns your opponent's healing into your own offensive power. By punishing life gain with permanent +1/+1 counters, this creature can quickly grow out of control if left unchecked.
Understanding the Growth
Kavu Predator features a triggered ability that watches for any instance of an opponent gaining life. Whenever an opponent's life total increases, you place a number of +1/+1 counters on Kavu Predator equal to the amount of life they gained. Because it also has trample, the extra power ensures that even blocked attacks can push damage through to your opponent.
The Timing of Life Gain
The ability triggers once per life-gaining event. If an opponent gains life from multiple sources simultaneously, such as two different creatures with lifelink dealing combat damage, the ability triggers once for each creature. However, if a single effect or creature causes life gain from multiple targets at once (like a trampling lifelinker), it counts as one event, and Kavu Predator receives all the counters in one go.
Common Misconceptions
It is important to remember that Kavu Predator only cares about your opponents gaining life, not you. Additionally, the ability is not optional; you must put the counters on Kavu Predator when the trigger resolves. If an opponent uses an effect that says they gain life 'for each' creature on the battlefield, this is processed as a single event, resulting in one trigger that grants a large number of counters.
When to Deploy
This creature is most effective in the early game or against decks that rely on lifelink and stabilization. Since it costs only two mana, you can cast it early using mana acceleration and begin pressuring the opponent before they can set up their defenses.
Interaction examples
Llanowar ElvesOn turn one, you play Llanowar Elves. On turn two, you tap the Elf for green mana and play a land to cast Kavu Predator. This allows you to have a potential threat on the board as early as possible, ready to grow the moment your opponent attempts to gain life.
Birds of ParadiseIf you are playing a multi-color deck, Birds of Paradise can provide the specific green mana needed for Kavu Predator while also fixing your other colors. While the Birds fly over blockers, the Predator stays on the ground to benefit from any lifegain spells your opponent might cast to stay alive.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Kavu Predator
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
Kavu Predator's last ability triggers just once for each life-gaining event, whether it's 1 life from Kor Firewalker or 6 life from Renewed Faith.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #2· Wizards of the Coast
Each creature with lifelink dealing combat damage is a single life-gaining event. For example, if two creatures an opponent controls with lifelink deal combat damage at the same time, Kavu Predator's ability will trigger twice. However, if a single creature an opponent controls with lifelink deals combat damage to multiple creatures, players, and/or planeswalkers at the same time (perhaps because it has trample or was blocked by more than one creature), the ability will trigger only once.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #3· Wizards of the Coast
If an opponent gains an amount of life "for each" of something (such as from Congregate), that life is gained as one event and Kavu Predator's ability triggers only once.
No other card is named in this ruling.
Legal formats
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