Korlash, Heir to Blackblade

Korlash, Heir to Blackblade

Future Sight Rare
Mana Cost: {2}{B}{B}
Type: Legendary Creature — Zombie Warrior
P/T: */*
Korlash, Heir to Blackblade Text:
Korlash's power and toughness are each equal to the number of Swamps you control. {1}{B}: Regenerate Korlash. Grandeur — Discard another card named Korlash, Heir to Blackblade: Search your library for up to two Swamp cards, put them onto the battlefield tapped, then shuffle.
Artist: Daarken
Collector Number: 87
Release Date: 2007-05-04
Art crop

Full Analysis

Generated on 2025-06-29T20:11:43.771665 • Legacy Format

The Power and Versatility of Korlash, Heir to Blackblade

Introduction

Korlash, Heir to Blackblade is a Legendary Zombie Warrior that has been making waves in the Magic: The Gathering community with its unique ability to tie its power and toughness to the number of Swamps controlled by the player. This ability, combined with its regenerating ability and Grandeur trigger, makes it an excellent addition to many decks.

TL;DR Summary

Korlash is a powerful Legendary Zombie Warrior that can become an extremely formidable threat when paired with multiple Swamps on the board. Its regenerating ability and Grandeur trigger make it an excellent choice for decks that want to generate board advantage over time, while its synergy with cards like Swamp and Regeneration effects can lead to explosive plays.

Detailed Card Mechanics and Interactions

Korlash's power and toughness are both equal to the number of Swamps controlled by the player. This means that if a player controls no Swamps, Korlash will have 0/0, making it nearly unplayable in most situations. However, if a player has multiple Swamps on the board, Korlash can become an extremely formidable threat.

One key interaction to consider is how Korlash's power and toughness interact with its regenerating ability. When Korlash's power and toughness are equal to the number of Swamps controlled by the player, it means that Korlash's regeneration ability will also activate whenever there is a gain or loss of life on the battlefield. This can lead to a significant increase in Korlash's strength over time.

Another important consideration is how Korlash's Grandeur trigger interacts with other cards. When a card named Korlash, Heir to Blackblade is discarded, the player gets to search their library for up to two Swamp cards and put them onto the battlefield tapped. This can be a game-changer in certain situations, especially when paired with a Swamp deck.

Strategic Uses, Combos, and Synergies

Korlash's abilities make it an excellent addition to many decks, including those that focus on Swamp control, Regeneration, and Zombie armies. One key combo to consider is pairing Korlash with a card like Vraska's Contempt. This can lead to a significant increase in Korlash's strength over time, making it an excellent choice for decks that want to snowball into a win.

Another strategic use of Korlash is to create a "Swamp engine" deck that can generate infinite Swamp effects. By combining Korlash with cards like Conclave Tribunal and Sylvan Library, players can create a nearly unbeatable board presence that makes it difficult for opponents to deal damage.

Deckbuilding Roles and Archetypes

Korlash is often considered an "endgame" card, meaning that it's best suited for decks that want to generate board advantage over time. This makes it an excellent addition to decks that focus on Swamp control, Regeneration, and Zombie armies.

However, Korlash can also be used in more aggressive decks that want to quickly swarm the board with Zombies. By combining Korlash with cards like Griselbrand and Maelstrom Pulse, players can create a formidable board presence that makes it difficult for opponents to deal damage.

Format Viability and Competitive Context

Korlash is currently banned in many formats, including Standard and Modern, due to its sheer power level. However, this doesn't mean that Korlash can't be used effectively in these formats - with careful deckbuilding and tuning, players can still make the most of Korlash's abilities.

In Commander, Korlash is generally considered a staple card for decks that want to generate board advantage over time. Its regenerating ability and Grandeur trigger make it an excellent addition to many decks, while its synergy with cards like Swamp and Regeneration effects can lead to explosive plays.

Rules Interactions and Technical Notes

One key interaction to consider is how Korlash's power and toughness interact with other creatures on the battlefield. When Korlash's power and toughness are equal to the number of Swamps controlled by the player, it means that Korlash will always go before any other creature on the battlefield in terms of priority.

Another technical note worth considering is how Korlash's regenerating ability interacts with other effects like Regeneration and Lifelink. When Korlash's power and toughness are equal to the number of Swamps controlled by the player, it means that Korlash will regenerate whenever there is a gain or loss of life on the battlefield.

Art, Flavor, and Historical Context

Korlash, Heir to Blackblade is part of a larger narrative in Magic: The Gathering that explores the darker aspects of the game's universe. Its art depicts a hulking Zombie Warrior with a twisted, nightmarish appearance that reflects its status as a fearsome creature.

In terms of flavor, Korlash is often described as a "Swamp king" due to its ability to tie its power and toughness to the number of Swamps controlled by the player. This makes it an excellent addition to decks that focus on Swamp control and Zombie armies.

Conclusion Summary

In conclusion, Korlash, Heir to Blackblade is a powerful and versatile Legendary Zombie Warrior with unique abilities that make it an excellent addition to many decks. Its regenerating ability and Grandeur trigger make it an excellent choice for decks that want to generate board advantage over time, while its synergy with cards like Swamp and Regeneration effects can lead to explosive plays.

By carefully deckbuilding around Korlash's abilities and using synergies like those with Vraska's Contempt or Conclave Tribunal, players can create a formidable board presence that makes it difficult for opponents to deal damage. Whether in Standard, Modern, or Commander, Korlash is an excellent choice for decks that want to snowball into a win.

However, due to its power level, Korlash requires careful tuning and deckbuilding to make the most of its abilities. Players must be willing to take risks and experiment with different deck archetypes and combinations in order to harness the full potential of Korlash's Grandeur trigger.

Overall, Korlash is an excellent addition to any Magic: The Gathering collection, and its unique abilities make it a staple card for decks that want to generate board advantage over time. With careful planning and deckbuilding, players can unlock Korlash's true potential and dominate their opponents.

Deckbuilding Considerations

  • Swamp control: Korlash's ability to tie its power and toughness to the number of Swamps controlled by the player makes it an excellent addition to Swamp decks.
  • Regeneration: Korlash's regenerating ability can be used in conjunction with other Regeneration effects to create a nearly unbeatable board presence.
  • Zombie armies: Korlash's Zombie nature makes it an excellent addition to decks that focus on swarming the board with Zombies.

Card Interactions and Synergies

  • Vraska's Contempt: Pairing Korlash with Vraska's Contempt can lead to a significant increase in Korlash's strength over time.
  • Conclave Tribunal: Combining Korlash with Conclave Tribunal can create an explosive play that generates infinite Swamp effects.
  • Griselbrand and Maelstrom Pulse: Using Korlash with Griselbrand and Maelstrom Pulse can create a formidable board presence that makes it difficult for opponents to deal damage.

Format Viability

  • Standard: Due to its sheer power level, Korlash is currently banned in Standard.
  • Modern: Korlash is also banned in Modern due to its dominance on the format.
  • Commander: Korlash is generally considered a staple card for decks that want to generate board advantage over time.

Conclusion

Korlash, Heir to Blackblade is a powerful and versatile Legendary Zombie Warrior that can be used effectively in many formats. With careful deckbuilding and tuning, players can unlock its true potential and dominate their opponents.