Cheapest of the Titans, with higher p/t then ulamog, and uncountourable card draw. brilliant.
AngelxLegna
★★☆☆☆ (2.5/5.0)(12 votes)
"We worshiped him as Cosi, the trickster god, but he isn't Cosi. He's the butcher. The butcher of our faith, our hope, and our truth." -Terrified Players Everywhere
wolfbear2
★★★☆☆ (3.9/5.0)(4 votes)
@thrallallmighy: shame on you, A) for brighing up the "it dies to everything" bull crap that we all know doesn't matter, and B) for ignoring all the ramp in the set that lets you wipe this out at reasonable speed and effort.
not only that but always draw 4 cards and they discard a removale, I'ld throw some mana for that.
SleetFox
★★★☆☆ (3.6/5.0)(5 votes)
If he is destroyed, your opponent is down one card and you're up three. He's at worst an uncounterable card draw spell. And that's even assuming he gets killed. No reason not to protect him. Heck, Hyena Umbra would do a good job if they don't kill him in response to his coming into play.
ratchet1215
★★★★☆ (4.4/5.0)(4 votes)
You get a free, uncounterable Tidings off of him. Yeah, no evasion and he's pretty easily killed, but his cost-to-P/T ratio is great and if he doesn't die, your opponent's in for a world of hurt (or more specifically, a world of game-loss). And 5 of the 10 mana you used already went to giving you one of the best ETB abilities ever. Probably the most playable of the Titans. 4.5/5
TheTraitorKing
★★★☆☆ (3.2/5.0)(7 votes)
"Where is your trickster god now, pathetic mortals? ME."
-Kozilek, Butcher of Truth Kozilek is seemingly the middlest of the Eldrazi triad, but in fact he may just be the weakest. Think about it: Kozilek may grant you automatic card advantage, wipe the board clean, and lay waste to the enemy blockers, but take a look at his seemingly weaker brother, Ulamog, the Infinite Gyre: Akroma-slayer, hardier than Kozilek due to being much closer to a certain Colossus than his bro, and has a bigger and better Brood Lineage to boot. While Kozilek is better at the head of a generic Eldrazi or Colorless deck, Ulamog can have his own deidcated decks. Kozilek may have It That Betrays, but Ulamog controls many more eminent Eldrazi.
Johnald
★★★☆☆ (3.8/5.0)(8 votes)
bad bad bad bad. Too cheap to play for what it does. No risk involved to play something so strong. Annihilator is easily one of the most unfair keywords.
getz19
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
12/12 for ten colorless is great. With 4 free cards and Annihilator 4, he's probably the better of the three legendary eldrazi because he's easier to play. He'll be down on the board very easy in casual with some Urza lands.
iantewks
★★☆☆☆ (2.8/5.0)(8 votes)
nothing makes sense on this card: the cost its stats its 3 insanely overpowered abilities hmm. well, the artwork makes sense. OR NOT butcher of mtg?
HippyRei
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
I was playing with this guy at the prerelease, and my opponent countered him, but I still drew 4 cards and ended up winning just because of that.
ScissorsLizard
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
There's sort of split opinions here. Some people say he's really powerful, some say he's too expensive. I think it really depends on the format. In a draft, Kozilek is god. You just can't lose if you draw a Kozilek in an Eldrazi draft; the slow format means you'll get the 10 mana.
On the other hand, in Type 2, Extended, or 1.5, you'll never see Kozilek get hard-cast. 10 mana is just too much; when's the last time anyone got 10 mana in constructed?
So in draft, Kozilek is really fun and powerful, but in constructed (barring some decks built around sneaking him into play, like Goryo's Vengeance or Sneak Attack) he'll never see play.
kkylee90
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
this was a beast in prerelease. dropped this guy and the opponent scooped.
ClockworkSwordfish
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
This guy is probably the best of the three Eldrazi, although I have a personal soft spot for the over-the-top Timmyness of Emrakul. Coming up with 10 mana isn't really that difficult in RotE, and he IS a better value than the other two. All this aside, though, the thing I like most about him is that Artisan of Kozilek can't bring him back.
mlanier131
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.5/5.0)(1 vote)
Amazing, the most easily castable of the three.
Donovan_Fabian
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
I actually prefer ulamog to kozilek, but with annihaltor 4 and the built in card advantage kozilek is a serious contender.
Personally feel emrakul is getting to much hype, and people will realize its better to end the game a turn or two earlier with a giant annihalator creature, than try to go all out for emrakul.
HairlessThoctar
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Probably the least, I dunno, 'flashy' of the Eldrazi gods.
But by the same token, the lowest casting cost makes him the most playable.
GooberSnotpants
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
i say wait for an extra 1 mana to play vines of vastwood or that new white protection spell whose name is escaping me.
K's position in the alphabet: 11/26 I's position in the alphabet 9/26
I thought collector numbers were supposed to be alphabetical.
DonRoyale
★★★★☆ (4.4/5.0)(7 votes)
WHOA THE EYE IS GLOWING WTF IS THIS OMG GIANT TENTACLE MONSTER OF-
wait 10 mana 12/12 wait draw 4 wait, dances around counters wait, anihilator wait, mill hate
wait.
holy...
Uril
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
best Eldrazi, heres why. half his cost goes to an colorless uncounterable Tidings, since its when u cast him. Then, ur left with a 12/12 annihilator 4 for...5 While tidings isnt the greatest card draw spell, it isnt that bad, and the fact that its tacked on is even more card advantage. Sure it costs a lot, but i dont think that destroying a permenant is better, and emarkul is just too hard to cast, at least hardcast. (zing!)
thornraven
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Out of the three, Kozilek is the best.
He is the only competitive-worthy Eldrazi lord. This is because he gives you card advantage, which is something that is always sorely underestimated. Also, he is the farthest under the curve between the three. Again, overlooked. Not the flashiest, but the most efficient. Spike.
Then again, are the three legendary Eldrazi actually competitive in the standard environment?...
Good luck.
Spider-Sense
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.8/5.0)(2 votes)
Not only are his power and toughness well set for the mana cost, but his three abilities are incredible. You have the 4 card draw, and then the Annihilator 4. What really sells me is the effect all three legendary Eldrazi have, to shuffle the entire graveyard into the library - which is a life saver in so many ways, and on him you are more likely to collect upon this than the other two (which are both near indestructible).
I am rating this a 5/5, because it is definitely worth it.
spectermonger
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
I flip-flopped on this guy--he's the easiest to cast through conventional means, but otherwise, it might be worth it to fork over the extra for pro-colored or indestructible. I know all these people are saying the 4 cards make it worth it, but I don't know what world one might live in where 4 cards (with a net gain of 3) is good for 10 mana, in the likely even that he'll be hit by removal. If you're not running him in blue, fork over the extra mana for the shields.
RafiqTheMiststalker
★★★★☆ (4.2/5.0)(16 votes)
Oooooh, more P/T than Ulamog!1 Ulamog is Indestructible, ya stupids. Who cares about his toughness? Plus, we all know a colorless, uncounterable Vindicate is a million times better than some silly uncounterable card draw. The Mind Sculptor got you pinned down? Ulamog's got your back! That pesky 1BB godslayer over there threatening your other non-indestructible Eldrazi? Ulamog's got your back! Don't like the smug look on your opponent's face when he taps his Mountain over there for mana? ...Ulamog will *** that Mountain up!
Gilder_Bairn
★☆☆☆☆ (1.8/5.0)(6 votes)
The Eldrazi are certainly very powerful. Just remember, "powerful" is not the same thing as "good."
Let's compare Kozilek to our go-to powerhouse card, Baneslayer Angel. Kozilek seems better, right? Because for 10 mana, your getting 12/12; better than 5 for 5/5, right? Well, not really.
Let me tell you a little story about a little thing called Tempo. Back in the old days of Alpha, Timmy Players ran rampant through the game. It was basically:
T1: land, go
T2: land, go
...
T6: force of nature.
But then some genius thought, "Hey! What if I use cheap creatures to kill my opponent before he gets to 6 mana?" And thus, tempo was born.
Yes, kozilek is powerful. But seriously, between a turn 5 drop that basically wins for you (baneslayer angel) and a turn 10 drop that basically wins for you (kozilek) which would you prefer?
and yes, you can ramp your mana. You can ramp your mana to obscene proportions to play Kozilek. But that's still about turn 7, and while that's better than turn 10, he doesn't attack untill turn 8. Wheras baneslayer has already done 15 damage... yeah.
psyklone
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.5/5.0)(2 votes)
What the hell is the point of drawing 4? Srsly. What could you possibly draw, or need, more than annihilator 4?
kyo987
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
@Gilder_Bairn - Another problem inherent with Baneslayer... it dies to doom blade or other cheap removals where 2 out of the three eldrazi leaders can protect from that.
@BlackAlbino: Believe me, I sympathize with your anger about things being overpowered. I used to play back during Ice Age and Homelands, and I came back during Alara foaming at the mouth to see things like Cliffrunner Behemoth and Wooly Thoctar. I was pretty sure that what they were doing should be illegal. But this doesn't rankle me that much compared to some of the other stuff that's out there. The thing is, like it or not, the way the game currently is, a lot of cards over 7 CMC or so are basically game-winners. Think about the Ultimatums, or Nicol Bolas, or Iona, Shield of Emeria - what's worse, a huge unfair creature that can still be removed, or one that locks down the entire game? Yes, I would've preferred that the curve didn't completely go out the window at high mana costs, but they've basically decided that if you can't gain control of the game by turn 6, you deserve to lose.
I play a red/green Eldrazi deck with Hand of Emrakul and Eldrazi Con***ion, a bunch of token producers, and Broodwarden as the alternate win condition. Even though my deck has a ton of mana ramp with Eldrazi Temples, Overgrown Battlements, and Joraga Treespeakers, I don't run this guy, because I have a hard enough time getting the con***ion out. As for "requiring no strategy", I had to completely build my deck around those first two cards I mentioned, and it took a lot of fine tuning. I still barely lose (or tie at best) to my friend's Jund deck, and I do a little better against my other friend's RDW. But it's not unfair by any means. Definitely not as much as getting hit with a Blightning on turn 3.
Duskdale_Wurm
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
AWESOME!!!!!
Laguz
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
While extremely powerful, Emrakul and Ulamog are both twice as good as Kozilek. Why doesn't he get any protection?
Eldrazi Legends?
Tsabo Tavoc can block Ulamog, the Infinite Gyre all day long without taking a single point of damage; she can straight kill Kozilek here (although, Phthisis is much more fun); and not even Emrakul, the Aeons Torn can get past her as long as you have the 2 mana Phyrexian Splicer in play to strip away his flying (and its an artifact so his protection is worthless).
Annihilator mechanic got you down? Start up the Phyrexian Processor. Didn't get to it in time? Yawgmoth's Agenda means those lost permanents are never too far away.
Phyrexia laughs at your "aether born" abominations.
On a more serious note conerning the "over powered" nature of the Eldrazi. That's a true statement when you consider them in isolation. Annihilator may be an awesomely powerful mechanic, but you can stop it cold just by paying 1 G for a Tajuru Preserver. Path to Exile costs exactly W and can get rid of two of the titans relatively painlessly (which is why Emrakul has protection from colored spells). But with Tajuru Preserver on the field you could chump block Emrakul with the (almighty) Storm Crow.
Will the Eldrazi ever end up in a core set? Probably not; for exactly the reasons they seem so completely overpowering. But the fact of the matter is, they are supposed to be. Personally, I believe the claims that they take away from the strategy of M:TG are completely wrong. They add to it. But the strategy isn't in how to use them; a massive beat stick that eats your opponents board is pretty self explainitory. The challenge for us as players, as it is for the planeswalkers in the stories, is how to beat them.
SocialExperiment
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Worth playing even if he never gets to swing. Drawing four cards is always preferable to not drawing four cards, and he creates a major threat that has to be dealt with immediately.
TheMoustacheCame
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.5/5.0)(5 votes)
from the same idiots that bringed u colored artifacts -trtrtrtrtrtr (drums) - colorles non-artifacts creatures -clap,clap-
Mnemonic_Jabberssac
★☆☆☆☆ (1.2/5.0)(6 votes)
Seriously, Kozilek is obviously the worst of the Titans. Sure, he helps you draw cards, but then if you want to keep him you'll have to put totem armors on him, keep mana back for Cancels and stuff, and he'll STILL probably get killed. Ulamog and Emrakul are way better.
Raznaak
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
haha... one day, i was playing with my friend against his control-mill deck. i was left with 10 cards in my library. i casted kozilek, and i had the wall to give it haste (forgot the name). now my opponent was left with a difficult choice: try to resist against him, or let me shuffle my entire graveyard in my library, while he used half his deck mill spells. he counterspelled him. i won.
thrallallmighty
★☆☆☆☆ (1.1/5.0)(6 votes)
ahh this card isnt good 1 remover = fail only good ability isthat u draw 4 cards i think this one is one of worst eldrazi legende/rares its expensive+ is garanteed to die 3/5
GengilOrbios
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
hmm i think it is better than emrakul. why? it is much cheaper! and 12/12 for 10 colorless (!) is already overpowered... probably the strongest creature card ever...
palmspark
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
this is by far the best of the trio of legendary eldrazi. Sure, it dies to shivian meteor, but very few cards won't die to that card. It doesn't have any unblockable abilits sure, but with the 4 cards you drew you might have a plague wind, a few kill spells, wispersill cloak, or even damnation to shuffle your entire graveyard into your library. That alone will screw all mill decks, unless you are unlucky and you have it in your hand when you lose. It has the best casting cost of the eldrazi, for a 12/12. The best eldrazi in this set also has the lowest casting cost?! With my pure black deck, I can pay for this on turn 1! eldrazi temple and four of the best black card ever, dark ritual
5/5
LarsBek
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
With so many ways of getting him into play... it seems like an overpowered card. Elvish Piper, Sneak Attack etc... But nice!
shocker300
★★★☆☆ (3.8/5.0)(2 votes)
I think you haters are missing the point, these cards are meant to be played with ramp, and when done right this is amazing! 5/5
Turn 1. Forest
Turn 2. Eldrazi Temple, Overgrown battlement
Turn 3. Eldrazi Temple, Overgrown battlement, Tap OG put another OG down or Wall of Omens
Turn 4. Tap both ED's and 2 OG's. Cast Kozilek.
I run full playsets of the cards I mentioned expet for Koz, only run 3 of him, 1 of his counterparts. I get this or similar opening hand 85% of the time. I cant wait for FNM this week.
divine_exodus
★★★☆☆ (3.5/5.0)(3 votes)
Why do the comments either say he is absolutely terrible or the best creature ever? He's in the middle, people.
Mattmedia
★★★★☆ (4.6/5.0)(6 votes)
Best Eldrazi to cast -
1. sure he dies to removal (only doom blade really at the moment though) 2. 10 mana is hard to get to, and 11 might not be just another turn (and 15 is ridiculous, although possible) 3. Annihilate is so friggin' sick, one swing should pretty much wreak them. 4. If drawing 4 cards from YOUR deck, cannot give you enough gas to win...... then you're probably too far behind, or relying way to much on one or two cards to pull you out of the shit.
now don't get me wrong, Ulamog and Emrakul are sick, but:
Uncounterable Colourless vindicate is only worth 11 mana when attached to a giant creature - check Uncounterable Colourless Time walk again, not worth 15 mana unless stappled to a massive creature Uncounterable Colourless draw 4 is worth 10 mana.
anyway, they all are ridiculous, and are worth building around, even though eldrazi spawn are best used for raid bombardment......
Motion2Dismiss
★★★☆☆ (3.9/5.0)(7 votes)
Funny how so few people thought that the Eldrazi were competitive when this was released...
Seriously, Kozilek is easily my favorite Eldrazi (and the best one to have in my opening hand). At a mere 10 mana, he regularly comes out on turn 4-5 with a decent Standard ramp deck. But it's the uncounterable draw-four that makes him truly insane.
I don't care that he dies to removal after I cast him. Hell, I don't even care if he resolves. At worst, he's a 5-for-1 who refills my hand and draws out my opponent's answer. (And if my opponnent doesn't have an answer for him, Kozilek just wins.)
Kindulas
★☆☆☆☆ (1.2/5.0)(2 votes)
wow, compared to the other two this guys a yawn. He's great and all, but as far as flavor, It That Betrays is the most fun eldrazi ever, so really, i'd see an It That Betrays draw 4 cards and Kozilek take stuff. I mean, that even fits kozilek's flavor some
Japicx
★★★★☆ (4.3/5.0)(8 votes)
@ Black Albino:
While I understand that some people would feel angry about gigantic, super-strong creatures, it's inaccurate to describe the Eldrazi as having no strategy. Building decks around fat creatures is one of the oldest strategies in Magic, and who's to say there's anything wrong with it? I personally find cards like this to be more exhilarating than disgusting, because their costs put them out of range for any deck that isn't tailored specifically for them, and they provide an ample reward for your deck-building efforts. Even with Eldrazi Spawn, the task of getting enough mana to cast a legendary Eldrazi is a sizable challenge in itself for the average player.
TheHandyman
★★★☆☆ (3.3/5.0)(3 votes)
This card and Progenitus are how I knew WotC R&D had finally gone mental and power-mad.
Lord_of_Tresserhorn
★★★★☆ (4.9/5.0)(5 votes)
for a 12/12 with several bonus abilities and (almost, can't use graveyard dumping to cheat it into play) NO drawbacks is utterly ridiculous.
But it seems they made him so efficient because he dies easiest of the titans. Emrakul, The Aeons Torn is counterproof, direct removal-proof and almost damage-proof, Ulamog, The Infinite Gyre can be countered and exiled, but is immune to damage and most boardwipe - only Kozilek is big but nothing else.
His hardcast bonus makes him the strongest of the titans for a good deck builder, I would say. Drawing four cards (uncounterable!) can make or break a game even if Kozilek does not resolve, but in the wrong hands, it's not TOO strong.
mastadonkilla6
★★★☆☆ (3.0/5.0)(1 vote)
ermakul cant be countered cant be targeted by colred spells is flying 15/15 annihalator 6 extra turn as soon as you plat him so next card you pick up is being played shuffled back into deck if you have to discard it thing is lethal
Of course it's powerful. That's why I don't like Eldrazi. They are TOO powerful.
BlackAlbino
★★★☆☆ (3.5/5.0)(3 votes)
Can't believe I thought this was broken Basic rules of magic say it IS stupid though
@ motion2Dismiss Eldrazi ramp says hi
@ japicx Very well put sir, of all ironies eldrazi ramp is now my favorite T2 deck
For the record, this was a long rant
DarthParallax
★★★☆☆ (3.7/5.0)(5 votes)
So, Ive been trying to figure out the best card to put this comment on.
If Kozilek was a Pokemon, it would say:
DOCTOR OCTO-MTHR-FRKIN-GONAPUS, BRAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Fictionarious
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
But is he butchering Truth or butchering in the name of Truth? Flavor would suggest one, but his draw mechanic would suggest the other.
GracefulAssassin14
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
hes my favorite eldrazi. all my friends say ulamog is better but i disagree. this guys one less mana for in my opinion a better uncounterabke abilty, whcih is a lifesaver mid-late game. kozilek has won me more games than ulamog.
GFrogbottom
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
I think that this is better than Ulamog, but not as good as Emrakul
Asmodi0000
★★★★☆ (4.6/5.0)(12 votes)
I remember when this card was first revealed.
I thought it was a joke, something some little kid came up with.
I mean, Annihilator? Forces you to sacrifice 4 permanents every time he attacks? That's definitely something a small child came up with when they asked him what's the scariest magic ability he could think of.
And draw four cards? And the whole can't be milled ability? And being a 12/12? It had to be a joke.
Turns out, not only was Kozilek real, it proved to be fairly designed and played a central part in defining the set. Rise of the Eldrazi was one of the best limited environments, and these Eldrazi lurking around made for some exciting games.
HeavyEcho
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
after the first time i was against this card i gave it a new name Kozilek, butcher of all my green beasts.
if it wasnt for Thrun, the last troll and his posse i would have been screwd
I just realized something... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dva1UUxt7i8&feature=related and in this, you can see the eyeball underarms, too.
adrian.malacoda
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
@PhyrexianLobbiest
Actually Emrakul's protection only applies to spells. The Splicer's ability isn't a spell, so Emrakul's protection won't protect her from it regardless of color. This means, coincidentally, that Tsabo's ability can target Emrakul
talcumpowder0046
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
As awesome as he is, 3.5 for not being indestructible or having hexproof. GAWWDAM DOOM BLADE!
Charles_Prefect
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
We need: Duel decks: Kozilek vs Ulamog
Dr.NoFace
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.5/5.0)(1 vote)
Opponent: I pay 10 and cast Kozilek, and draw 4 cards.
larger costed creatures have the penalty of costing a lot. That may seem like stating the obvious, but it's like if you were to consider the difference between a 1-cost 1/1 and an 8-cost 8/8. You won't always get the land drop, you'd have to wait until turn 8 at least, and it can be removed with singular removal. Not only that, all your opponent needs is one Mana Leak or Counterspell, and tables are going to be flipped. Which would you choose: a vanilla army of eight 1/1s, or one 8/8?
Standard and Modern are too fast of a format for large creatures to be able to be hard-casted, so they have to compensate this with large effects onto large creatures. Although the Eldrazi look like childish wet-dreams of the biggest and most powerful creatures in existence, they're highly volatile to removal, a huge portion of competitive formats.
Obviously, there are cards that cheat creatures in, which makes the Eldrazi valuable in EDH. Cards like Pattern of Rebirth aren't exactly uncommon to see in an EDH deck, because you can choose ANY creature in your deck. That's why there'll always be a direct correlation between EDH's popularity and the Eldrazi's.
GrayWizard
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
"Target player discards removal spell".
Hashbeth
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Like all the Eldrazi Titans, it's ridiculous. And has awesome art.
I miss the Zendikar block...I love the Eldrazi
Lifegainwithbite
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
In most cases, you're only going to get the four cards before it gets removed.
ViashinoWizard
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
If you're going to play something for 10 mana, it had better single-handedly win the game if not dealt with.
Does Emrakul, the Aeons TornReally have to be the only Eldrazi creature spell that isn't suseptible to exile spells and steal spells? Do the rampaging destroyers of planes have to be balanced by ham-handed neglect?
Beisman01
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Kozilek is just a really good card. Period. I don't care what it dies to or gets exiled by.
Comments (85)
-Terrified Players Everywhere
not only that but always draw 4 cards and they discard a removale, I'ld throw some mana for that.
-Kozilek, Butcher of Truth
Kozilek is seemingly the middlest of the Eldrazi triad, but in fact he may just be the weakest. Think about it: Kozilek may grant you automatic card advantage, wipe the board clean, and lay waste to the enemy blockers, but take a look at his seemingly weaker brother, Ulamog, the Infinite Gyre: Akroma-slayer, hardier than Kozilek due to being much closer to a certain Colossus than his bro, and has a bigger and better Brood Lineage to boot. While Kozilek is better at the head of a generic Eldrazi or Colorless deck, Ulamog can have his own deidcated decks. Kozilek may have It That Betrays, but Ulamog controls many more eminent Eldrazi.
He'll be down on the board very easy in casual with some Urza lands.
the cost
its stats
its 3 insanely overpowered abilities
hmm. well, the artwork makes sense.
OR NOT
butcher of mtg?
On the other hand, in Type 2, Extended, or 1.5, you'll never see Kozilek get hard-cast. 10 mana is just too much; when's the last time anyone got 10 mana in constructed?
So in draft, Kozilek is really fun and powerful, but in constructed (barring some decks built around sneaking him into play, like Goryo's Vengeance or Sneak Attack) he'll never see play.
Personally feel emrakul is getting to much hype, and people will realize its better to end the game a turn or two earlier with a giant annihalator creature, than try to go all out for emrakul.
But by the same token, the lowest casting cost makes him the most playable.
It That Betrays' collector number: 7/248
K's position in the alphabet: 11/26
I's position in the alphabet 9/26
I thought collector numbers were supposed to be alphabetical.
wait 10 mana 12/12
wait draw 4
wait, dances around counters
wait, anihilator
wait, mill hate
wait.
holy...
While tidings isnt the greatest card draw spell, it isnt that bad, and the fact that its tacked on is even more card advantage. Sure it costs a lot, but i dont think that destroying a permenant is better, and emarkul is just too hard to cast, at least hardcast. (zing!)
He is the only competitive-worthy Eldrazi lord. This is because he gives you card advantage, which is something that is always sorely underestimated. Also, he is the farthest under the curve between the three. Again, overlooked. Not the flashiest, but the most efficient. Spike.
Then again, are the three legendary Eldrazi actually competitive in the standard environment?...
Good luck.
I am rating this a 5/5, because it is definitely worth it.
Ulamog is Indestructible, ya stupids. Who cares about his toughness? Plus, we all know a colorless, uncounterable Vindicate is a million times better than some silly uncounterable card draw. The Mind Sculptor got you pinned down? Ulamog's got your back! That pesky 1BB godslayer over there threatening your other non-indestructible Eldrazi? Ulamog's got your back! Don't like the smug look on your opponent's face when he taps his Mountain over there for mana? ...Ulamog will *** that Mountain up!
Let's compare Kozilek to our go-to powerhouse card, Baneslayer Angel. Kozilek seems better, right? Because for 10 mana, your getting 12/12; better than 5 for 5/5, right? Well, not really.
Let me tell you a little story about a little thing called Tempo. Back in the old days of Alpha, Timmy Players ran rampant through the game. It was basically:
T1: land, go
T2: land, go
...
T6: force of nature.
But then some genius thought, "Hey! What if I use cheap creatures to kill my opponent before he gets to 6 mana?" And thus, tempo was born.
Yes, kozilek is powerful. But seriously, between a turn 5 drop that basically wins for you (baneslayer angel) and a turn 10 drop that basically wins for you (kozilek) which would you prefer?
and yes, you can ramp your mana. You can ramp your mana to obscene proportions to play Kozilek. But that's still about turn 7, and while that's better than turn 10, he doesn't attack untill turn 8. Wheras baneslayer has already done 15 damage... yeah.
Srsly. What could you possibly draw, or need, more than annihilator 4?
I play a red/green Eldrazi deck with Hand of Emrakul and Eldrazi Con***ion, a bunch of token producers, and Broodwarden as the alternate win condition. Even though my deck has a ton of mana ramp with Eldrazi Temples, Overgrown Battlements, and Joraga Treespeakers, I don't run this guy, because I have a hard enough time getting the con***ion out. As for "requiring no strategy", I had to completely build my deck around those first two cards I mentioned, and it took a lot of fine tuning. I still barely lose (or tie at best) to my friend's Jund deck, and I do a little better against my other friend's RDW. But it's not unfair by any means. Definitely not as much as getting hit with a Blightning on turn 3.
Eldrazi Legends?
Tsabo Tavoc can block Ulamog, the Infinite Gyre all day long without taking a single point of damage; she can straight kill Kozilek here (although, Phthisis is much more fun); and not even Emrakul, the Aeons Torn can get past her as long as you have the 2 mana Phyrexian Splicer in play to strip away his flying (and its an artifact so his protection is worthless).
Annihilator mechanic got you down? Start up the Phyrexian Processor. Didn't get to it in time? Yawgmoth's Agenda means those lost permanents are never too far away.
Phyrexia laughs at your "aether born" abominations.
On a more serious note conerning the "over powered" nature of the Eldrazi. That's a true statement when you consider them in isolation. Annihilator may be an awesomely powerful mechanic, but you can stop it cold just by paying 1 G for a Tajuru Preserver. Path to Exile costs exactly W and can get rid of two of the titans relatively painlessly (which is why Emrakul has protection from colored spells). But with Tajuru Preserver on the field you could chump block Emrakul with the (almighty) Storm Crow.
Will the Eldrazi ever end up in a core set? Probably not; for exactly the reasons they seem so completely overpowering. But the fact of the matter is, they are supposed to be. Personally, I believe the claims that they take away from the strategy of M:TG are completely wrong. They add to it. But the strategy isn't in how to use them; a massive beat stick that eats your opponents board is pretty self explainitory. The challenge for us as players, as it is for the planeswalkers in the stories, is how to beat them.
1 remover = fail
only good ability isthat u draw 4 cards
i think this one is one of worst eldrazi legende/rares
its expensive+ is garanteed to die
3/5
5/5
Turn 1. Forest
Turn 2. Eldrazi Temple, Overgrown battlement
Turn 3. Eldrazi Temple, Overgrown battlement, Tap OG put another OG down or Wall of Omens
Turn 4. Tap both ED's and 2 OG's. Cast Kozilek.
I run full playsets of the cards I mentioned expet for Koz, only run 3 of him, 1 of his counterparts. I get this or similar opening hand 85% of the time. I cant wait for FNM this week.
1. sure he dies to removal (only doom blade really at the moment though)
2. 10 mana is hard to get to, and 11 might not be just another turn (and 15 is ridiculous, although possible)
3. Annihilate is so friggin' sick, one swing should pretty much wreak them.
4. If drawing 4 cards from YOUR deck, cannot give you enough gas to win...... then you're probably too far behind, or relying way to much on one or two cards to pull you out of the shit.
now don't get me wrong, Ulamog and Emrakul are sick, but:
Uncounterable Colourless vindicate is only worth 11 mana when attached to a giant creature - check
Uncounterable Colourless Time walk again, not worth 15 mana unless stappled to a massive creature
Uncounterable Colourless draw 4 is worth 10 mana.
anyway, they all are ridiculous, and are worth building around, even though eldrazi spawn are best used for raid bombardment......
Seriously, Kozilek is easily my favorite Eldrazi (and the best one to have in my opening hand). At a mere 10 mana, he regularly comes out on turn 4-5 with a decent Standard ramp deck. But it's the uncounterable draw-four that makes him truly insane.
I don't care that he dies to removal after I cast him. Hell, I don't even care if he resolves. At worst, he's a 5-for-1 who refills my hand and draws out my opponent's answer. (And if my opponnent doesn't have an answer for him, Kozilek just wins.)
While I understand that some people would feel angry about gigantic, super-strong creatures, it's inaccurate to describe the Eldrazi as having no strategy. Building decks around fat creatures is one of the oldest strategies in Magic, and who's to say there's anything wrong with it? I personally find cards like this to be more exhilarating than disgusting, because their costs put them out of range for any deck that isn't tailored specifically for them, and they provide an ample reward for your deck-building efforts. Even with Eldrazi Spawn, the task of getting enough mana to cast a legendary Eldrazi is a sizable challenge in itself for the average player.
But it seems they made him so efficient because he dies easiest of the titans. Emrakul, The Aeons Torn is counterproof, direct removal-proof and almost damage-proof, Ulamog, The Infinite Gyre can be countered and exiled, but is immune to damage and most boardwipe - only Kozilek is big but nothing else.
His hardcast bonus makes him the strongest of the titans for a good deck builder, I would say. Drawing four cards (uncounterable!) can make or break a game even if Kozilek does not resolve, but in the wrong hands, it's not TOO strong.
Basic rules of magic say it IS stupid though
@ motion2Dismiss
Eldrazi ramp says hi
@ japicx
Very well put sir, of all ironies eldrazi ramp is now my favorite T2 deck
For the record, this was a long rant
If Kozilek was a Pokemon, it would say:
DOCTOR OCTO-MTHR-FRKIN-GONAPUS, BRAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I thought it was a joke, something some little kid came up with.
I mean, Annihilator? Forces you to sacrifice 4 permanents every time he attacks? That's definitely something a small child came up with when they asked him what's the scariest magic ability he could think of.
And draw four cards? And the whole can't be milled ability? And being a 12/12? It had to be a joke.
Turns out, not only was Kozilek real, it proved to be fairly designed and played a central part in defining the set. Rise of the Eldrazi was one of the best limited environments, and these Eldrazi lurking around made for some exciting games.
if it wasnt for Thrun, the last troll and his posse i would have been screwd
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dva1UUxt7i8&feature=related
and in this, you can see the eyeball underarms, too.
Actually Emrakul's protection only applies to spells. The Splicer's ability isn't a spell, so Emrakul's protection won't protect her from it regardless of color. This means, coincidentally, that Tsabo's ability can target Emrakul
GAWWDAM DOOM BLADE!
Duel decks: Kozilek vs Ulamog
Me: I play Hideous End, and cast Amnesia
Opponent: You little-
Also, the ability from casting isn't really uncounterable, you can still use stifle, trickbind, voidslime, etc. to counter it.
larger costed creatures have the penalty of costing a lot. That may seem like stating the obvious, but it's like if you were to consider the difference between a 1-cost 1/1 and an 8-cost 8/8. You won't always get the land drop, you'd have to wait until turn 8 at least, and it can be removed with singular removal. Not only that, all your opponent needs is one Mana Leak or Counterspell, and tables are going to be flipped. Which would you choose: a vanilla army of eight 1/1s, or one 8/8?
Standard and Modern are too fast of a format for large creatures to be able to be hard-casted, so they have to compensate this with large effects onto large creatures. Although the Eldrazi look like childish wet-dreams of the biggest and most powerful creatures in existence, they're highly volatile to removal, a huge portion of competitive formats.
Obviously, there are cards that cheat creatures in, which makes the Eldrazi valuable in EDH. Cards like Pattern of Rebirth aren't exactly uncommon to see in an EDH deck, because you can choose ANY creature in your deck. That's why there'll always be a direct correlation between EDH's popularity and the Eldrazi's.
I miss the Zendikar block...I love the Eldrazi
Kozilek delivers.
-Swag_Crow
Does Emrakul, the Aeons Torn Really have to be the only Eldrazi creature spell that isn't suseptible to exile spells and steal spells? Do the rampaging destroyers of planes have to be balanced by ham-handed neglect?