Polukranos, World Eater
~$0.60 low · ~$2.37 high
Green. Legendary Creature — Hydra
Theros #172 · Illustrated by Johann Bodin
Theros #172 · Illustrated by Johann BodinWhat is Polukranos, World Eater worth?
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TCGplayer market prices in USD, updated October 14, 2026. Each price is for one printing and one finish.
Oracle text
: Monstrosity X. (If this creature isn't monstrous, put X +1/+1 counters on it and it becomes monstrous.)
When Polukranos becomes monstrous, it deals X damage divided as you choose among any number of target creatures your opponents control. Each of those creatures deals damage equal to its power to Polukranos.
5/5
Format legality
All 3 printings of Polukranos, World Eater
| Printing | Rarity | Non-foil | Foil | Cardmarket (EUR) | My collection |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 The List plst #THS-172· 2023mythic· Cardmarket €0.48 | mythic | $2.37 | No foil printing | €0.48 | |
 Theros ths #172· 2013mythic· Cardmarket €0.63 · €1.73 foil | mythic | $0.60 | $1.54 | €0.63€1.73 foil | |
 Duel Decks: Heroes vs. Monsters ddl #43· 2013mythic· Cardmarket €0.83 foil | mythic | No non-foil printing | $0.82 | €0.83 foil |
Prices are TCGplayer market prices in USD for each printing and finish, via Scryfall. They are a guide, not an appraisal.
Where to buy Polukranos, World Eater
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Card details
- First printed
- 2013
- Printings
- 3
- Mana value
- 4
- EDHREC rank
- #11,049 on EDHREC (Commander popularity)
- Keywords
- Monstrosity
- Artists
- Johann Bodin, Karl Kopinski
What the codes mean
The small print at the bottom of the Theros card (#172).
172
- 172Collector number: this card's place in the set list. Main-set cards print it over the set's card count.
Cards from 1998 to mid-2014 print the collector number over the set's card count (like 90/383) next to the copyright line. They have no rarity letter, set code or language code: the set symbol and its colour show the set and rarity.
How to read a Magic card: every part and code, on real cards.
Card breakdown
The parts of Polukranos, World Eater, read from the Theros printing. How to read any Magic card.
- Name
- Polukranos, World Eater. Rules use the English name in every language.
- Mana cost
- Mana value 4: the total mana in the cost, colors ignored.
- Type line
- Legendary is a supertype. Creature is the card type. Hydra is the subtype, after the dash.
- Text box
- What the card does. Italic text in brackets is reminder text: it explains a rule and has no effect on the game.
- Power / toughness
- 5/5: power is the combat damage it deals; toughness is how much damage destroys it.
- Illustration
- By Johann Bodin. The art has no effect on the game.
- Set symbol
- Theros. Red-orange means mythic rare.
- Collector number
- 172 = collector number: this card's place in the set list. Main-set cards print it over the set's card count.
- Artist
- Johann Bodin, after the paintbrush.
- Copyright
- Wizards of the Coast's copyright notice, with the year.
Keywords
- MonstrosityCR 701.37
- Defined in the Comprehensive Rules at the rule above.
Rule numbers from the Magic Comprehensive Rules, version of September 25, 2026.
Rulings (7)
2013-09-15
If some, but not all, of the ability's targets become illegal, you can't change the division of damage. Damage that would've been dealt to illegal targets simply isn't dealt.
2013-09-15
Monstrous isn't an ability that a creature has. It's just something true about that creature. If the creature stops being a creature or loses its abilities, it will continue to be monstrous.
2013-09-15
You choose the division of damage as you put the ability on the stack, not as it resolves. Each target must be assigned at least 1 damage. In multiplayer games, you may choose creatures controlled by different opponents.
2013-09-15
The value of X in Polukranos's last ability is equal to the value chosen for X when its activated ability was activated.
2013-09-15
As Polukranos's triggered ability resolves, Polukranos deals damage first, then the target creatures do. Although no creature will die until after the ability finishes resolving, the order could matter if Polukranos has wither or infect.
2013-09-15
Once a creature becomes monstrous, it can't become monstrous again. If the creature is already monstrous when the monstrosity ability resolves, nothing happens.
2013-09-15
An ability that triggers when a creature becomes monstrous won't trigger if that creature isn't on the battlefield when its monstrosity ability resolves.
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