Kindred Dominance: A Powerful Removal Spell

TL;DR Summary

Kindred Dominance is a 5BB sorcery that allows players to choose a specific creature type and destroy all creatures not belonging to that type, making it an incredibly powerful removal spell in the right situations. Its versatility and ability to adapt to various game plans make it a valuable addition to any black-based deck.

Detailed Card Mechanics and Interactions

Kindred Dominance is a straightforward card with simple yet impactful effects. When cast, players are prompted to choose a creature type from the available options (e.g., Beast, Dragon, Elemental). Once a type is chosen, Kindred Dominance's effect triggers, destroying all creatures on the battlefield that don't match the selected type.

One of the key mechanics to consider when interacting with Kindred Dominance is card advantage. Since it can remove large numbers of creatures at once, players who cast this sorcery often gain a significant amount of card advantage, allowing them to more easily develop their board and close out games.

Another important aspect to note is the potential for Kindred Dominance to interact with other cards' effects. For example, if an opponent has a creature with an ability that triggers when it dies (e.g., Chandra's Defiance), casting Kindred Dominance could potentially trigger these abilities and create additional opportunities.

Strategic Uses, Combos, and Synergies

Kindred Dominance is a highly versatile card that can fit into various deck archetypes. Some possible ways to utilize this sorcery include:

• Removing opposing creatures while developing one's own board with flying creatures (e.g., Serra Ascendant, Baneslayer Angel).
• Destroying problematic creatures while maintaining a specific type advantage (e.g., protecting a Kumena-based combo).
• Creating an "artificial" creature type to favorably influence the board state (e.g., Vedalken Shackles).

Some combinations and synergies worth exploring include:

• Pairing Kindred Dominance with cards that allow for instant-speed removal (e.g., Liliana of the Veil, Chandra, Torch of Defiance) to more efficiently interact with the board.
• Combining Kindred Dominance with cards that generate advantage upon creature death (e.g., Erebos's Rebirth, Sarkhan, the Masterless).
• Integrating Kindred Dominance into archetype-specific combo decks (e.g., Kumena, Tyrant of Orazca, Kodama's Reach) for additional flexibility and power.

Deckbuilding Roles and Archetypes

Kindred Dominance can be incorporated into a variety of black-based deck archetypes, including:

• Midrange decks that aim to control the board with a mix of removal and creature advantage (e.g., Eldrazi Dispersal, Kumena's Awakening).
• Combo decks that rely on creating an artificial creature type or generating card advantage through creature death (e.g., Sarkhan, the Masterless, Tatyova, Benthic Druid).
• Aggro decks that focus on rapidly developing a board presence and leveraging removal spells like Kindred Dominance to clear opposition.

Format Viability and Competitive Context

Kindred Dominance's power level is substantial enough to make it a competitive card in various formats. Its versatility and adaptability allow it to shine in environments where control and removal are crucial, such as Standard and Modern. However, its impact may be diminished in more aggressive or tempo-based metagames.

In the context of recent Magic: The Gathering sets, cards like Liliana's Vess, Kumena's Awakening, and Chandra, Torch of Defiance have created an environment where Kindred Dominance can thrive. Its ability to interact with these cards' effects and create advantageous board states positions it as a valuable addition to many deck archetypes.

Rules Interactions and Technical Notes

When resolving Kindred Dominance, the following rules interactions are important to note:

• Destroy effects do not trigger abilities that trigger when creatures die (e.g., Chandra's Defiance).
• The chosen creature type is determined at the time of casting, and changes to a player's life total or other game state after casting Kindred Dominance do not affect its resolution.
• Creatures with multiple creature types are destroyed unless they match all types specified in the chosen creature type (e.g., a Kumena, Tyrant of Orazca is destroyed because it has both Human and Elemental as part of its type).

Art, Flavor, and Historical Context

The art for Kindred Dominance features a haunting image of a vampire lord surveying a ruined cityscape. The artwork captures the card's themes of dominance and control, reflecting the powerful, intimidating presence that vampires embody in Magic: The Gathering lore.

In terms of flavor, Kindred Dominance embodies the dark, manipulative nature of vampire society. By allowing players to choose a specific creature type, the card reflects the cunning and strategic thinking required for vampires to navigate complex social hierarchies.

Key Considerations for Deckbuilders

When considering incorporating Kindred Dominance into your deck, keep the following points in mind:

• Be mindful of the chosen creature type, as it will dictate which creatures are destroyed.
• Plan ahead for potential countermeasures, such as using cards that can protect specific types or generating advantage upon creature death.
• Combine Kindred Dominance with other removal spells and card draw effects to maximize its impact.

Strategic Tips for Playing Kindred Dominance

When playing Kindred Dominance, consider the following strategies:

• Choose a creature type that will disrupt your opponent's plans while developing your own board presence.
• Use Kindred Dominance to clear problematic creatures or protect specific types of creatures.
• Be aware of potential interactions with other cards' effects and plan accordingly.

Deck Examples Featuring Kindred Dominance

Here are some examples of decks that feature Kindred Dominance:

• Midrange: Eldrazi Dispersal, Kumena's Awakening
• Combo: Sarkhan, the Masterless, Tatyova, Benthic Druid
• Aggro: Liliana's Vess, Chandra, Torch of Defiance

Conclusion

Kindred Dominance stands as an incredibly powerful removal spell that can significantly impact the board state. Its adaptability and versatility make it a valuable asset in black-based decks, capable of fitting into various archetypes and environments. With its potential for interaction with other cards' effects and its straightforward effect, Kindred Dominance is sure to remain a force to be reckoned with in Magic: The Gathering's competitive landscape.

Final Thoughts

Kindred Dominance offers unparalleled versatility and power, making it an attractive addition to any black-based deck. Its impact on the board state can be significant, allowing players to remove problematic creatures while developing their own advantage. With careful consideration of its interactions with other cards' effects and strategic planning, Kindred Dominance can prove itself to be a game-changing tool in Magic: The Gathering's competitive landscape.