She has lower than average health and average deck limits, with a focus on Spells. Like her fellow OGW [[Planeswalkers]] she has a combined mana bonus one point below normal; dual color PWs usually have eight total, but she has sevensix. Until Like other [[Shadows over InnistradOGW]]and [[Battle for Zendikar]] Planeswalkers, Planeswalkers she has only had [[Origins]] cards in their her [[#Starting Deck|starting deckStarting Deck]].

Her abilities are a mix of powerful effects, including draining the enemy's mana into while giving mana to her own cards, {{Ability|fetch|fetching}} a creature card from her library with a large mana boost, and creating a huge octopus {{Ability|Token}} with {{Ability|Reach}} and {{Ability|Trample}}.

Prior to January 2017, Kiora cost {{Crystals|950}} to acquire, which remains the highest historical cost in Crystals of any Planeswalker. These days, she is usually on sale at a reduced cost, below the 650 Crystals of other dual color walkers.

<blockquote>''The merfolk Planeswalker Kiora, a native of [[Battle_for_ZendikarBattle for Zendikar|Zendikar]], has been traveling the planes to strengthen her connection to the oceans' magic. Her home has been ravaged by the Eldrazi swarm, and she believes that only by summoning the fierce krakens, serpents, and other terrors of the deep can she defeat the titans who now rule Zendikar.<br><br>Kiora has come to Theros in search of the immense sea creatures that dwell here. Shortly after she arrived, she raised up an enormous wave to call to the ocean beasts. The wave smashed against the shore near Meletis and caused considerable damage. It also alerted the tritons, Theros's native merfolk, to a new power in their realm.<br><br>Some tritons believe that Kiora is an avatar or herald of Thassa, god of the sea. Kiora does not disabuse them of this notion—in fact, she rather enjoys the attention. Thassa, however, might take offense if Kiora continues to appropriate her proper worship.''</blockquote>