Kry ShieldHow it works & interactions with other cards

What It Does

Kry Shield has an activated ability that costs two mana and tapping the artifact itself. When you activate this, you target a creature you control to receive two specific effects: all damage that creature would deal this turn is prevented, and it receives a toughness bonus equal to its mana value until the end of the turn.

How It Resolves Step by Step

First, you pay two mana and tap Kry Shield, choosing a target creature you control. Upon resolution, the game checks the mana value of that target creature. A continuous effect is then applied that prevents all damage that creature would deal for the rest of the turn. Simultaneously, the creature gains +0/+X, where X is the mana value determined at the moment the ability resolves.

Common Mistakes

A frequent error is assuming Kry Shield protects the creature from taking damage; however, it actually prevents the damage the creature would deal to others. Additionally, players often forget that mana value is determined by the mana symbols in the upper right corner of the card, not the amount of mana spent to cast it if there were cost reductions or additions.

When to Play It

This artifact is best used on creatures with high mana values that you want to use as 'walls' to block powerful attackers without trading in combat. Since it prevents the damage your creature deals, it is strictly defensive, making it ideal for protecting your board state while you stabilize your mana pool with other artifacts.

Interaction examples

Basic Defense Setup

Sol Ring

If you have Sol Ring on the battlefield, you can tap it to add two colorless mana, which exactly covers the activation cost of Kry Shield. This allows you to activate Kry Shield early in the game without tapping your lands, ensuring your high-cost creatures are ready to block.

Boosting Toughness

Arcane Signet

While Arcane Signet is a mana source with a mana value of 2, if you were to somehow turn it into a creature and target it with Kry Shield, the Signet would get +0/+2 until end of turn. The shield looks at the mana value on the card to determine the bonus, regardless of how much mana the creature can produce.