Kratos, God of War 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

Double strike All creatures have haste. At the beginning of each player's end step, Kratos deals damage to that player equal to the number of creatures that player controls that didn't attack this turn.

Complete guide

Kratos, God of War is a powerhouse that demands constant aggression from everyone at the table. By granting all creatures haste and punishing those who stay behind, he turns every turn into a bloody skirmish. Mastering this card requires understanding how to manage your board state during the end step to avoid his divine wrath.

Unpacking the God of War

Kratos has three distinct components: Double strike makes him a lethal combatant, a global Haste aura ensures every new creature is ready to fight immediately, and his final ability acts as a punisher for pacifism. This last ability triggers at the start of every player's end step, checking how many creatures that player currently controls did not declare an attack during their most recent turn.

The End Step Resolution

When a player's end step begins, Kratos's triggered ability goes on the stack. Upon resolution, it checks the status of every creature that player controls. If a creature was eligible to attack but stayed back, or even if it entered the battlefield after the combat phase, it counts as 'not having attacked.' Kratos then deals damage directly to that player equal to the total count of those creatures.

Strategic Considerations and Haste

Because Kratos gives all creatures haste, you must be careful when casting utility creatures in your second main phase. Since they now have haste, they could have attacked if they were on the battlefield; however, even if they just entered, they will still be counted as creatures that 'didn't attack this turn.' To minimize damage, you want to ensure as many creatures as possible were declared as attackers during the combat phase.

Common Pitfalls

A common mistake is forgetting that Kratos affects the active player every single turn, including yours. If you play a creature and don't attack with it (perhaps because you played it after combat), Kratos will damage you for it. Additionally, remember that 'Double strike' only applies to Kratos's combat damage, not the non-combat damage dealt by his end-step trigger.

Interaction examples

Aggressive Value with Solemn Simulacrum

Solemn Simulacrum

You cast Solemn Simulacrum during your first main phase. Because Kratos, God of War grants it haste, you can attack with the Golem immediately. By doing so, the Simulacrum is not counted by Kratos during your end step, allowing you to ramp and draw cards later without taking 1 damage from the God of War's ability.

Doubling the Divine Punishment

Roaming Throne

If you control Roaming Throne and chose 'God' or 'Warrior' as it entered, Kratos's end-step ability will trigger twice. If an opponent ends their turn with two creatures that didn't attack, Kratos's ability triggers once, then Roaming Throne causes it to trigger a second time. Each trigger deals 2 damage, resulting in a total of 4 damage to that player.

Post-Combat Risks

Solemn Simulacrum

If you cast Solemn Simulacrum during your second main phase (after combat), it was not on the battlefield to be declared as an attacker. Even though it has haste from Kratos, it 'didn't attack this turn.' When your end step begins, Kratos will see the Golem and deal 1 damage to you.

Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.