Kiora, Master of the DepthsHow it works & interactions with other cards

Harnessing the Depths

Kiora's first ability is a versatile tool for both offense and defense, allowing you to untap a creature and a land. Her second ability provides card advantage by digging four cards deep for creatures or lands, while her ultimate creates a permanent emblem that turns every new creature into a removal spell before summoning three massive Octopuses.

Step-by-Step Resolution

When you activate the +1 ability, you choose up to one target creature and up to one target land; these untap as the ability resolves. For the -2 ability, you reveal the top four cards of your library and choose which creature or land cards to move to your hand, then send the rest to the graveyard. When activating the -8, you first receive the Kiora, Master of the Depths Emblem, and then create three Octopus tokens. Because the emblem is already in play when the tokens enter, their triggered abilities will go on the stack immediately.

Common Pitfalls

A common mistake is thinking you must have targets for the +1 ability. You can actually choose zero targets just to increase Kiora's loyalty. Regarding the -2 ability, note that the cards are 'revealed' and 'put into your hand,' which is not the same as drawing a card. Effects that prevent drawing will not stop Kiora from filling your hand. Finally, remember that the fight ability on the emblem is optional ('you may'), so you aren't forced to fight if your creature would lose.

Strategic Timing

Use the +1 ability during your first main phase to untap a creature that has an activated ability or to effectively 'refund' two mana for later use. The -2 ability is best used when you need to dig for specific threats or hit your land drops. Save the -8 for a board state where your 8/8 tokens can safely fight and eliminate your opponent's key blockers.

Interaction examples

Finding Resources under Pressure

Narset, Parter of Veils

If your opponent controls Narset, Parter of Veils, you are restricted from drawing more than one card per turn. However, if you use Kiora, Master of the Depths' -2 ability, you can still add a creature and a land to your hand. This is because Kiora 'puts' the cards into your hand rather than 'drawing' them, successfully bypassing Narset's static ability.

The Kraken's Command

OctopusKiora, Master of the Depths Emblem

When you resolve Kiora's -8 ability, you gain the Kiora, Master of the Depths Emblem first. Then, three 8/8 blue Octopus tokens enter the battlefield. The emblem sees all three tokens entering, allowing you to put three separate 'fight' triggers on the stack. Each Octopus can fight a different target creature your opponent controls, potentially clearing their entire board.

Avoiding the Empty Library

Jace, Wielder of Mysteries

If you have Jace, Wielder of Mysteries on the battlefield and your library is empty, using Kiora's -2 ability will not win you the game. Kiora's ability reveals cards and puts them into your hand; it does not involve the action of drawing. Since no draw occurs, Jace's replacement effect won't trigger, and you simply fail to find any cards among the revealed set.