Kresh the Bloodbraided AvatarHow it works & interactions with other cards

The Mechanics of Devour and Oozes

This Avatar specifically triggers whenever a creature you control is 'devoured.' Devour is a keyword that allows a creature entering the battlefield to sacrifice any number of creatures to gain +1/+1 counters. Kresh the Bloodbraided Avatar sees these sacrifices and immediately generates a green Ooze creature token for each creature lost this way.

Step-by-Step Resolution

First, you cast a creature with the Devour ability. As it enters the battlefield, you choose which creatures to sacrifice. Kresh's ability triggers for every individual creature sacrificed to that specific Devour ability. Each trigger resolves separately, checking the power the creature had the last moment it was on the battlefield to determine the value of X for each Ooze token created.

Common Mistakes

A common misconception is that Kresh triggers on any sacrifice; however, it only triggers specifically when a creature is 'devoured.' Sacrificing a creature to a spell's cost or an activated ability will not generate an Ooze. Additionally, the token's power and toughness are locked in based on the creature's power at the time it died, so later changes to the original card in the graveyard won't affect the Ooze.

When to Play It

This card is best utilized in decks focused on heavy Devour counts or tokens that can be easily eaten. Since the Ooze tokens are created during the entry of the Devouring creature, they provide immediate protection against board wipes or provide fresh bodies for subsequent sacrifice effects.

Interaction examples

Starting Your Engine

Command Tower

You tap Command Tower to produce the necessary mana to cast your spells. While the Tower doesn't interact with Kresh directly, it provides the color fix needed to ensure you can cast both your Devour creatures and your support spells efficiently in a multiplayer game.

Powering Up Early

Sol Ring

By tapping Sol Ring for two colorless mana, you can accelerate into high-cost Devour creatures much earlier in the game. If you cast a creature with Devour 2 and sacrifice a 2/2 creature, Kresh the Bloodbraided Avatar will trigger, giving you a new 2/2 Ooze token while your Devour creature grows into a 6/6.