Krovikan ElementalistHow it works & interactions with other cards

Dual-Element Mastery

Krovikan Elementalist features two distinct activated abilities. The first, costing two generic and one red mana, provides a simple power buff. The second, costing two blue mana, grants flying to a creature you control but marks that creature for death, requiring you to sacrifice it when the next end step begins.

Step-by-Step Resolution

When you activate the blue ability, you choose a target creature you control. Upon resolution, that creature gains flying. This creates a delayed triggered ability. At the beginning of the very next end step—whether it is your turn or an opponent's—that delayed trigger goes on the stack, and when it resolves, you must sacrifice the creature.

Navigating the Sacrifice

A common mistake is forgetting that the sacrifice happens at the beginning of the *next* end step. If you activate the ability during an opponent's turn, the creature will be sacrificed at the start of that opponent's end step. If you activate it during your own post-combat main phase, it still triggers at the start of your own end step.

Tactical Timing

Use the red ability to push through extra damage or help a creature survive combat by trading up. The blue ability is best reserved for a final lethal strike or to trigger 'death' effects intentionally, as the evasion is powerful but the loss of the creature is guaranteed.

Interaction examples

Turning Death into Value

Blood Artist

You control both Krovikan Elementalist and Blood Artist. You activate the Elementalist's blue ability targeting itself. At the beginning of the next end step, the Elementalist is sacrificed. This triggers Blood Artist, allowing you to drain 1 life from an opponent and gain 1 life.

Aerial Treasure Hunting

Professional Face-Breaker

To ensure your Professional Face-Breaker deals combat damage to a player who has blockers, you spend two blue mana on Krovikan Elementalist's ability to give the Face-Breaker flying. After it deals damage and creates a Treasure token, the Face-Breaker will be sacrificed during the end step.

The Ultimate Firebreathing

If you have six mana available (four generic and two red), you can activate Krovikan Elementalist's first ability twice targeting itself. It will become a 4/2 creature until the end of the turn, allowing it to hit harder if it remains unblocked.