Kiora's Follower

Kiora's Follower Lite Guide

Born of the Gods Uncommon
Mana Cost: {G}{U}
Type: Creature — Merfolk
P/T: 2/2
Kiora's Follower Text:
{T}: Untap another target permanent.
Flavor:
"She may call herself Kiora but I believe she is Thassa, the embodiment of the sea and empress of the depths."
Artist: Eric Deschamps
Collector Number: 150
Release Date: 2014-02-07
Art crop
Cards Mentioned in This Review
These cards are referenced in the strategy guide below

Strategy Guide

Last updated 2025-06-28
TL;DR Summary

Kiora's Follower is a versatile 2/2 creature that excels at untapping permanents. At two mana, it's a relatively cheap way to generate card advantage in Commander decks. Its primary strength lies in its ability to untap another target permanent, which can be used to fuel Tolarian Academy, Mnemosphere, or other expensive artifacts.

Typical uses include:

  • Enabling the casting of powerful permanents with mana costs higher than two
  • Providing a way to reuse tapped lands or other valuable cards
  • Supporting combo decks by untapping crucial pieces

Impact in Commander decks: Kiora's Follower is a solid addition to any Commander deck, particularly those with a strong focus on artifact synergies. Its ability to untap permanents makes it an attractive choice for players seeking card advantage without breaking the bank.

In multiplayer formats, its low mana cost and versatility make it a great pick for tables with multiple players.

Card Mechanics & Interactions

Kiora's Follower

As a 2/2 Merfolk creature for 2 mana, Kiora's Follower is a solid addition to any blue-green deck. Its Oracle text provides a unique interaction that can have significant impact in Commander games.

Untapping another target permanent with {T}

The key ability of Kiora's Follower allows it to untap another target permanent when its own tap cost ({T}) is paid. This means you can use the Follower as an "on-cue" trigger, allowing you to time its ability perfectly.

  • Example: In a game where you're running a combo-heavy deck with Liliana of the Veil, you can play Kiora's Follower on turn 2, then use it on your next turn to untap Liliana and allow her ultimate trigger.
  • Notable edge case: If you have two or more permanents that benefit from being untapped (e.g., a combination of creatures and artifacts), using Kiora's Follower can create an even greater impact.

Interactions with other cards

Kiora's Follower has several notable interactions with other cards in the format:

  • Serra Ascendant: This legendary creature allows you to tap any creature, including Kiora's Follower, to generate +1/+0 counters. With Kiora's Follower providing an untap trigger and Serra Ascendant providing the counter generation, you can create a synergistic effect that amplifies your board presence.
  • Estrid's Invocation: This card allows you to tap any nonland permanent, including Kiora's Follower, to generate a 1/1 white Spirit creature. With Kiora's Follower providing the untap trigger and Estrid's Invocation generating the Spirit, you can create an additional threat on the board.

Conclusion

Kiora's Follower offers several exciting interactions with other cards in Commander games, particularly those that rely on timed triggers or permanent generation. By understanding its Oracle text and noting the unique synergy it creates with certain cards, you can leverage this relatively inexpensive creature to add depth to your deck.

Strategic Applications

Kiora's Follower is a versatile creature that excels in various Commander archetypes. Its ability to untap another target permanent at instant speed makes it a valuable addition to decks focused on ramping up mana and playing expensive spells.

Common Archetypes

  • Merfolk Tribal: As a Merfolk, Kiora's Follower fits seamlessly into Merfolk Tribal decks. Its power and toughness make it an excellent body for the tribe.
  • Golgari and Azorius Combo: This card pairs well with combo pieces like Estrid's Invocation or Liliana, the Last Hope. It can untap their permanents, allowing them to resolve their combos more efficiently.

Role on the Battlefield

Kiora's Follower is a decent attacking creature with 2 power. Its toughness allows it to survive in combat against creatures with moderate damage output. In an aggro-focused deck, it provides additional bodies and pressure on the board.

Beneficial Decks or Strategies

  • Ramp and Big Spell Casters: Decks featuring big spells like Emrakul, the Aeons Torn or Estrid's Invocation benefit significantly from Kiora's Follower. It allows them to untap more frequently, resolving their massive spells sooner.
  • Combo and Control: This card helps combo and control decks by providing an instant-speed way to untap important permanents, making it easier for them to resolve their combos or maintain pressure on the board.

In general, Kiora's Follower is a solid addition to any Commander deck that values ramping up mana quickly and playing expensive spells.

Advanced Techniques

Kiora's Follower is a versatile and potent creature that offers several advanced uses in a Commander deck. Here are some key interactions and synergies:

Enchanting Interactions

  • Pair Kiora's Follower with Sage of Shattered Tombs for an enchantment-creating machine. Tap the follower to untap Sage, allowing it to enchant additional creatures.
  • Combine with Eldrid Luminarch for a massive advantage in tempo and card draw.

Merfolk Tribal

Card Advantage

  • Tap Kiora's Follower to untap Azami, Lady of Scrolls, allowing you to draw additional cards and maintain card advantage.
  • Use its ability in conjunction with Grafd Draug to generate more card draw and create a formidable late-game presence.

Synergies with Other Creatures

  • Combine Kiora's Follower with Venser, Shaper Savant for an unstoppable tempo engine. Tap Venser to untap the follower, creating an infinite loop of untapping.
  • Use its ability with Estrid, the Masked to create a formidable clock and lock down the board.

These advanced interactions demonstrate Kiora's Follower's potential in a Commander deck, showcasing its capacity for generating card advantage and creating powerful tempo engines.

Common Mistakes

Kiora's Follower: Common Mistakes in Commander

Playing Kiora's Follower in a Merfolk tribal deck is a popular choice due to its ability to provide an additional untap source for other permanents. However, there are several common mistakes players make when utilizing this card.

Untapping the Wrong Permanent

Players often overlook the crucial aspect of timing when using Kiora's Follower's ability. The key word "target" is frequently misinterpreted as any permanent on the battlefield. In reality, the target must be a specific permanent that can be legally targeted by the player controlling the creature. For example:

  • Incorrect: Using Kiora's Follower to untap Sylvan Caryatid in response to a land being tapped for mana.
  • Correct: Untapping Sage of Mysteries or another permanent that can be legally targeted.

Poor Synergies and Overextension

Kiora's Follower is often played alongside other blue-green cards, such as Umbra Mouth and Luminous Bonds, which can create a snowball effect. However, players sometimes overextend by trying to maximize their untap potential without considering the overall board presence.

  • Incorrect: Playing Kiora's Follower in a situation where it would be killed or forced to sacrifice its ability.
  • Correct: Using Kiora's Follower as part of a more balanced strategy, ensuring that it remains on the battlefield and provides consistent value.

Misunderstanding the Card's Potential

Kiora's Follower can be seen as an untap engine, but some players underestimate its potential in combination with other cards. When paired with a card like Aether Vial, Kiora's Follower becomes significantly more powerful:

  • Incorrect: Viewing Kiora's Follower solely as a 2/2 creature.
  • Correct: Recognizing the untap engine potential and combining it with cards that enhance its effectiveness, such as Luminous Bonds.
Conclusion

Kiora's Follower is a solid addition to any Commander deck built around blue-green creatures. Its ability to untap another target permanent for just {T} provides a flexible way to generate card advantage or fuel additional spells.

One key consideration when including Kiora's Follower is its relatively low power and toughness compared to other 2/2 creatures like Elvish Mystic or Llanowar Elves. However, its ability more than makes up for this drawback. In a deck focused on generating card advantage, Kiora's Follower can serve as a reliable and efficient way to tap down important permanents.

One potential application of Kiora's Follower is in combo decks that rely on untapping key pieces. By pairing it with cards like Tide Force or Cunning Wish, players can create powerful combos that take advantage of the follower's ability.

In terms of pricing, Kiora's Follower is relatively affordable, especially in comparison to more expensive 2/2 creatures. Its uncommon rarity also makes it accessible for players on a budget.

Overall, Kiora's Follower is a valuable addition to any Commander deck that can utilize its untap ability.