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Limited Formats and Kozilek's Shrieker: Performance in Draft and Sealed

When you crack open a lackluster pool in a Battle for Zendikar–era draft or sealed, you’re often juggling two priorities: secure a reliable early body and ensure you actually cast your spells before the game ends. Kozilek's Shrieker arrives as a budget-friendly option that nudges you toward an aggressive, colorless-forward plan without riding the Eldrazi hype all the way to the podium. Part of the Oath of the Gatewatch set, this common-sized drone brings a crisp two-mana investment plus a black mana commitment to create a surprisingly nimble creator that can threaten while black-pump effects loom in the late game. 🧙‍♂️🔥

In limited, the absence of a traditional color identity can feel like a trap or a treasure depending on your pool. Kozilek's Shrieker is Devoid—the card reads as colorless on the battlefield, even though its color identity is categorized with Black for deck-building permutations. That Devoid tag matters less for a sealed deck with multiple color options, but it shines in a draft where players are chasing colorless payoffs or simply trying to maximize a sturdy, early body with a defensive purpose. In practice, this is a battle-tested 3/2 for 3 that can apply steady pressure and survive common early-game removal. And with a single colorless mana (C) activation, you can push a little extra damage and threaten a menacing take-down as the board gets clogged. ⚔️

What Kozilek's Shrieker Brings to the Table

• Mana cost: 2B (but Devoid makes it colorless on the battlefield)
• Body: 3/2 creature — Eldrazi Drone
• Effect: Devoid. Pay {C}: This creature gets +1/+0 and gains menace until end of turn.
• Rarity: Common
• Flavor: "Listen to the sound of defeat." The micro-drone’s growl is a prelude to the roars of the Forsaken Gate.

That pump ability is the practical standout in limited. For a single colorless mana, you grant the Shrieker an extra push that can break through a shield of small blockers or pierce through a defensive line when backed by a few other threats. The menace angle is especially potent in limited environments where board presence matters and players often opt for multiple 1- or 2-power creatures to leverage board control. The combination of a sturdy 3-power body and a turn-up in aggression via +1/+0 and menace means Kozilek's Shrieker can turn a turn-two or turn-three board into a sustained trouble for opponents to manage. 🧙‍♂️🎲

In actual gameplay, you’ll see Shrieker slot into a mono-black or black-leaning colorless shell, where you leverage cheap removal and efficient tempo plays. It’s not a bomb by any means, but in sealed, a 3/2 that plays well on turn three can swing a race and trade favorably with early blockers. Its Devoid tag also means you can pair it with colorless synergy if your pool contains other Devoid creatures or colorless payoffs, making it a flexible piece in a modular deck. The fact that it’s common means you’ll likely see it in a few pools, so learning how to deploy it for maximum damage is a nice edge in draft. 💎

Draft and Sealed Strategy Notes

In sealed formats, you’ll want to ensure you have at least one black source available to actually cast Kozilek's Shrieker on time. If your pool leans into swamps or black-mana acceleration, the card becomes a reliable mid-range beater that you can aggravate with the {C} pump to threaten through a crowd. In a pinch, you can use the pump to force through a few points of damage when the board is crowded with overly defensive plays. The combination of a real body with the occasional menace boost makes it a credible finish option in the late game, especially if you’ve curried a couple of those black removal spells to clear the path. 🔥

Draft opponents will often respect a 3/2 that can threaten to grow and become harder to block, which means Kozilek's Shrieker can also serve as a tactical removal magnet. If you’re playing a control-heavy curve, it can act as a value beater that bleeds life from the opponent while you stabilize behind bigger Eldrazi threats. In limited, pace is king, and a resilient 3/2 that can threaten with menace when needed is a sweet spot. The aesthetic of OGW’s Eldrazi theme—billowing, ominous forms—gets complemented by Shrieker’s pragmatic role, a reminder that not every Eldrazi needs to crash in with a 9/9 to leave a mark. ⚔️

Art, Lore, and Collectibility

Jason Felix’s illustration for Kozilek's Shrieker captures the stark, industrial ache of the Eldrazi drones. The flavor text—Listen to the sound of defeat—hints at the inexorable pressure these creatures apply on both battlefield and psyche. For collectors, this card’s status as a common in OGW means it’s accessible, affordable, and a satisfying piece to foil into a casual EDH or sealed deck. The card’s presence in the modern-era limited format also offers an accessible entry point for players new to Eldrazi mechanics and the Devoid framework, marrying flavor with a practical, budget-friendly slot in your green-black-black synergy. 🎨

Value and Availability in Limited

As a common from Oath of the Gatewatch, Kozilek's Shrieker won’t break the bank. Current price markings show it hovered around a few pennies to a few dimes in non-foil form, with foil versions still relatively approachable for budget-minded players. This makes it an attractive add-in for sealed products and casual lounge-friendly decks, where you want a dependable body that can be boosted on demand without investing heavily in rare collectibility. If you pull several along with other Devoid creatures, you’ll quickly discover the Shrieker isn’t flashy, but it reliably contributes to your overall board state in the best possible way for a limited format. 💎

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