Kithkin BrinefarerHow it works & interactions with other cards

Doubling Your Kithkin

The first ability of Kithkin Brinefarer triggers whenever a Kithkin card is put into your hand from your library. This isn't limited to just drawing; any effect that moves a Kithkin card from the library to the hand will trigger it. When the ability resolves, you conjure a duplicate of that specific card directly into your hand, effectively turning every Kithkin you find into two copies.

Perpetual Growth

Whenever you declare an attack, Kithkin Brinefarer's second ability triggers. This ability affects every Kithkin creature card currently in your hand, granting them a perpetual +1/+1 bonus. Because this is a perpetual effect, the bonus stays with those cards even if they change zones, such as being cast or discarded and then returned to your hand later.

Timing and Resolution

The attack trigger happens the moment you declare attackers during the Declare Attackers step. The +1/+1 bonus is locked in for the cards in your hand at that moment. The conjuring trigger is also mandatory; if a Kithkin card enters your hand from your library, the duplicate is created regardless of whether you want it, which is excellent for maintaining card parity.

Common Mistakes

A common mistake is thinking the +1/+1 bonus applies to Kithkin already on the battlefield; it only affects those currently in your hand. Additionally, the conjure ability only triggers if the card comes from the library. If you return a Kithkin from your graveyard to your hand, you will not receive a duplicate copy.

Interaction examples

Cycling through the Deck

Solemn Simulacrum

If Solemn Simulacrum dies while Kithkin Brinefarer is on the battlefield, you draw a card. If that card is a Kithkin, the Brinefarer triggers and conjures a second copy of that Kithkin card into your hand. You now have two copies of the creature to cast later.

Strategic Thinning

Sakura-Tribe Elder

While Sakura-Tribe Elder fetches lands from your library, it helps thin your deck so that future draws are more likely to be Kithkin cards. Once you draw a Kithkin, Kithkin Brinefarer will double it, and every time you attack with your other creatures, those doubled cards in your hand get stronger.

Stacking the Buffs

If you have two Kithkin creature cards in hand and you attack with Kithkin Brinefarer, the trigger goes on the stack. Upon resolution, both Kithkin cards in your hand receive a perpetual +1/+1. If you attack again on a subsequent turn while those cards are still in your hand, they will receive another +1/+1, becoming significantly larger before they even hit the battlefield.