Kraul WarriorHow it works & interactions with other cards

What Kraul Warrior Does

Kraul Warrior features an activated ability that costs six mana (five generic and one green). When you pay this cost, the creature receives a +3/+3 power and toughness boost until the end of the current turn. Because this is an activated ability, you can use it as many times as you can afford the mana cost.

How it Resolves Step by Step

First, you announce the activation of the ability and pay the total cost of {5}{G}. The ability then goes onto the stack as an object. If both players pass priority, the ability resolves, and Kraul Warrior's power and toughness are increased immediately. This does not use counters, so the bonus disappears during the cleanup step.

Common Mistakes

A common error is forgetting that this ability can be activated at instant speed, including during the combat phase after blockers have been declared. Also, remember that if Kraul Warrior leaves the battlefield and returns, it is considered a new object and will not retain any previously activated bonuses.

When to Play It

Kraul Warrior is best utilized in decks that can generate large amounts of mana. It serves as an early defensive body that transitions into a late-game mana sink, forcing your opponent to respect its potential to become a 5/5 or larger during combat.

Interaction examples

Accelerating the Buff

Llanowar Elves

With Kraul Warrior and Llanowar Elves on the battlefield, you can tap Llanowar Elves for {G} to help pay for the {5}{G} activation cost. This allows you to reach the six-mana threshold one turn earlier than relying solely on land drops.

Multi-Color Mana Fixing

Birds of Paradise

If you are playing a multi-color deck, Birds of Paradise can provide the specific {G} required for Kraul Warrior's ability. By tapping Birds of Paradise for green mana, you ensure you can activate the buff even if your lands only produce other colors.

Stacking the Bonus

If you have twelve mana available, you can activate Kraul Warrior's ability twice in a single turn. Each resolution adds +3/+3, resulting in a temporary +6/+6 bonus, turning the creature into an 8/8 until the turn ends.