Korvold, Fae-Cursed King: A Flying Dragon Noble with Versatile Synergies

TL;DR Summary

Korvold, Fae-Cursed King is a formidable flying dragon noble that can quickly become a game-changer in multiplayer or aggressive deck archetypes. Its ability to sacrifice other permanents for its own benefits and create an army of +1/+1 counters makes it an excellent choice for players looking to swarm the board with cheap threats.

Detailed Card Mechanics and Interactions

Korvold's abilities are centered around sacrificing other permanents, which can be achieved through various means such as losing life, discarding cards, or using other effects that generate discard. This allows Korvold to gain significant value by putting +1/+1 counters on itself and drawing a card.

One of the most powerful aspects of Korvold is its ability to trigger when another permanent enters or attacks. This effect can be used to create a "synergy" with other cards in your deck, allowing you to generate more value from your permanents than if they were simply sitting on the board.

For example, if you have a deck with cards that sacrifice creatures when they die (such as Grizzly Bears or Tarmogoyf), you can use Korvold's ability to put +1/+1 counters on itself and gain card advantage by discarding your creature. This creates an incredibly powerful feedback loop where more and more value is generated from each sacrificed permanent.

Interactions with Sacrifice-Based Cards

Korvold's sacrifice-based abilities mean that it can become vulnerable to cards that prevent or generate discard. This includes cards like Doom Blade or Sundering Blow, which can destroy creatures as soon as they die.

Flying Ability and Blocking Capabilities

Korvold's flying ability means that it cannot be blocked by most creatures, making it a formidable force on the battlefield. However, its inability to attack from the ground limits its effectiveness in certain situations.

Incremental Power and Toughness Gains

Korvold's +1/+1 counters increase its power and toughness in increments, rather than changing the power and toughness all at once. This means that Korvold's strength increases over time as you sacrifice more permanents for its benefits.

Strategic Uses, Combos, and Synergies

Korvold is an excellent choice for players who want to play an aggressive game plan with flying threats. Its ability to put +1/+1 counters on itself makes it extremely difficult to block or kill, allowing you to swarm the board with cheap creatures and overwhelm your opponent.

One popular strategy for Korvold involves using cards that generate discard to sacrifice other permanents for Korvold's benefits. For example, In Garruk's Wake allows you to generate discard by discarding cards in your hand, which can be used to sacrifice creatures or put +1/+1 counters on Korvold.

Another powerful strategy for Korvold involves pairing it with cards that provide lifegain when creature tokens are sacrificed. For example, Lifeforce grants life whenever a creature token is sacrificed, which can help you stay in the game longer and generate more value from your permanents.

Token Generation and Swarming

Korvold pairs well with token generation archetypes, such as the "token generator" archetype, which uses cards like Lifeforce and Soul Warden to create an army of cheap creatures that can be sacrificed for benefits. This creates a powerful feedback loop where more and more value is generated from each creature token.

Combo Potential

Korvold has combo potential with other cards that generate discard or sacrifice creatures, such as Grizzly Bears and Thought-Knot Seer. By combining these cards, you can create an aggressive deck that quickly generates value and overwhelms your opponent.

Deckbuilding Roles and Archetypes

Korvold is best suited for deck archetypes that rely on generating discard or sacrificing creatures for benefits. Its ability to put +1/+1 counters on itself makes it an excellent choice for players who want to swarm the board with cheap threats.

Discard-Generating Decks

Korvold pairs well with decks that generate discard, such as those using In Garruk's Wake or other cards that generate discard by discarding cards in your hand. This creates a powerful synergy where more and more value is generated from each sacrificed permanent.

Token Generation Decks

Korvold also pairs well with token generation decks, which use cards like Lifeforce and Soul Warden to create an army of cheap creatures that can be sacrificed for benefits. This creates a powerful feedback loop where more and more value is generated from each creature token.

Format Viability and Competitive Context

Korvold's format viability depends on the metagame you're playing in. In recent formats, such as Modern and Standard, Korvold has seen moderate success due to its ability to generate discard and create +1/+1 counters.

However, Korvold's popularity can vary depending on the archetype or decklist. For example, it has been less popular in Pioneer decks, where life-gain is often more emphasized over aggressive plays.

In competitive formats like Modern, Korvold is often played in archetypes that rely on sacrificing creatures for benefits. Its ability to put +1/+1 counters on itself makes it an excellent choice for players who want to swarm the board with cheap threats.

Modern and Standard Viability

Korvold has seen moderate success in formats like Modern and Standard, where aggressive deck archetypes are popular. However, its popularity can vary depending on the specific archetype or decklist.

Pioneer and Limited Formats

In Pioneer and limited formats, Korvold's popularity is lower due to the emphasis on life-gain and other benefits that are not as well-suited for aggressive plays.

Rules Interactions and Technical Notes

Korvold's abilities are relatively straightforward, but there are some important interactions to be aware of:

• Korvold's flying ability means that it cannot be blocked by most creatures.
• Its sacrifice-based abilities mean that it can become vulnerable to cards that prevent or generate discard.

It's also worth noting that Korvold's +1/+1 counters increase its power and toughness in increments, rather than changing the power and toughness all at once. This means that Korvold's strength increases over time as you sacrifice more permanents for its benefits.

Incremental Power Gains

Korvold's incremental power gains mean that it becomes increasingly difficult to block or kill as it accumulates +1/+1 counters. This creates a powerful synergy where more and more value is generated from each sacrificed permanent.

Synergies with Other Cards

Korvold has synergies with other cards in your deck, such as those that generate discard or sacrifice creatures. By combining these cards, you can create an aggressive deck that quickly generates value and overwhelms your opponent.

Art, Flavor, and Historical Context

Korvold is a dragon noble from a fae kingdom, said to be cursed by the gods themselves. Its art depicts it as a regal but menacing figure, with wings spread wide and eyes glowing red in the dark.

Historically, Korvold was released in 2015 as part of the Magic: The Gathering set "Korokid". Since its release, Korvold has become one of the most popular dragon nobs in the game, prized for its powerful abilities and iconic art.

Historical Significance

Korvold's release in 2015 marked a significant shift in the way that dragon nobs were designed and played. Its unique abilities and art style have made it a staple of aggressive deck archetypes, and it continues to be a popular choice among players today.

Cultural Significance

Korvold's cultural significance extends beyond its gameplay potential. Its iconic art and menacing design make it a beloved figure among Magic: The Gathering fans, who appreciate its unique blend of power and intimidation.

Conclusion Summary

In conclusion, Korvold, Fae-Cursed King is a formidable flying dragon noble that can quickly become a game-changer in multiplayer or aggressive deck archetypes. Its ability to sacrifice other permanents for its own benefits and create an army of +1/+1 counters makes it an excellent choice for players looking to swarm the board with cheap threats.

While Korvold's abilities come with some drawbacks, such as vulnerability to cards that prevent or generate discard, its powerful synergy and flexibility make it a versatile card that can be used in a variety of decklists. Whether you're playing in Modern, Standard, or another format, Korvold is an excellent choice for players who want to play an aggressive game plan with flying threats.

Overall, Korvold's impressive abilities, art, and flavor make it one of the most popular dragon nobs in Magic: The Gathering, and its versatility and power make it a staple of many competitive decks.