Nicol Bolas, Dragon-God MTG Card


Its ability to draw cards and disrupt opponents’ strategies enhances game control and resource superiority. The flexibility to use other planeswalkers’ abilities during any player’s turn provides exceptional in-game versatility. Despite its powerful effects, Nicol Bolas Dragon-God requires strategic deck-building due to its specific mana cost.
Card setsReleased in 11 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityMythic
TypeLegendary Planeswalker — Bolas
Loyalty 4

Text of card

Nicol Bolas, Dragon-God has all loyalty abilities of all other planeswalkers on the battlefield. +1: You draw a card. Each opponent exiles a card from their hand or a permanent they control. −3: Destroy target creature or planeswalker. −8: Each opponent who doesn't control a legendary creature or planeswalker loses the game.


Cards like Nicol Bolas, Dragon-God

Nicol Bolas, Dragon-God has carved a niche for itself among planeswalker cards in Magic: The Gathering. Its abilities offer a strong parallel to those of other legendary planeswalkers, like Ugin, the Spirit Dragon. Ugin’s versatility in dealing with permanents and drawing cards is certainly noteworthy, though it lacks the specificity of Nicol Bolas in targeting opponents and drawing upon the powers of other planeswalkers in play.

Contrastingly, Liliana of the Veil presents a different approach. Like Nicol Bolas, she impacts the board by forcing players to sacrifice creatures. But while Liliana leans towards a more controlling aspect with her edict effects, Nicol Bolas, Dragon-God extends its influence by boasting an ability to cause card disadvantage to opponents and has a built-in win condition that can end games if left unchecked.

In evaluating their comparative strengths, Nicol Bolas, Dragon-God stands out among multicolored planeswalker cards. Its unique blend of opponent disruption, board control, and potential for immediate impact give it an edge in decks that can accommodate its intense color commitment and strategic depth.

Ugin, the Spirit Dragon - MTG Card versions
Liliana of the Veil - MTG Card versions
Ugin, the Spirit Dragon - MTG Card versions
Liliana of the Veil - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Nicol Bolas, Dragon-God. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Nykthos RampNykthos Ramp PioneerNykthos RampPioneer League 2023-11-09
Grixis ControlGrixis Control Legacy2023 Asia Legacy Championship
Mono-Green ComboMono-Green Combo Legacy98 / The 98th Legacy at Home
SuperfriendsSuperfriends ModernSuperfriendsModern League 2023-12-01
Beanstalk ControlBeanstalk Control Legacy5c ControlBerlin Double Up Legacy I im Brettspielplatz 04.01.23
Mono-Green DevotionMono-Green Devotion PioneerNykthos RampThe Gathering Showdown Series
Mono-Green MidrangeMono-Green Midrange PioneerNykthos Ramp21Champions Cup Final Season 2 Round 1
Grixis MidrangeGrixis Midrange PioneerGrixis MidrangePioneer Challenge 64 2023-11-17
4c Ramp4c Ramp Pioneer4c RampPioneer League 2023-11-06
4c Midrange4c Midrange Pioneer4c MidrangePioneer Preliminary 2023-11-06

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Nicol Bolas Dragon-God boasts an incredible ability to draw additional cards, thus potentially providing a continuous source of card advantage. Its +1 loyalty ability not only draws you a card but also forces an opponent to exile a card from their hand or a permanent they control, effectively disrupting their strategy while bolstering your resources.

Resource Acceleration: While this planeswalker does not directly produce mana or treasure tokens, its ultimate ability represents a form of resource acceleration on a broader scale. By stealing the abilities of all other planeswalkers on the battlefield, Nicol Bolas can leverage additional effects, including any form of mana acceleration present in those abilities, to secure a commanding position in the game.

Instant Speed: Although not an instant itself, Nicol Bolas Dragon-God can impact the board at instant speed thanks to its passive ability. This ability lets it use the loyalty abilities of other planeswalkers you control during any player’s turn, offering a dynamic layer of interaction and tactical depth by activating powerful effects when least expected by your opponents.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Nicol Bolas Dragon-God commands a loyalty ability that often necessitates discarding a card, potentially depleting your hand and leaving you at a strategic disadvantage, especially when card advantage is critical.

Specific Mana Cost: This planeswalker’s activation cost demands a specific and diverse mana combination, which necessitates a commitment to a multicolored mana base, potentially restricting deck-building options and consistency.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With an initial casting cost that’s on the pricier side, Nicol Bolas Dragon-God can be a risky play in faster-paced games where early resource allocation to a single card might leave players vulnerable to quicker strategies.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Nicol Bolas Dragon-God boasts a range of abilities, making it a powerhouse in decks geared towards control or midrange schemes. Its capacity to use loyalty abilities from other Planeswalkers you control can adapt to various board states and strategies.

Combo Potential: This card is a linchpin in combos, specifically in superfriends (Planeswalker-focused) decks, where its myriad of abilities can be augmented and manipulated for devastating effects.

Meta-Relevance: With the influx of Planeswalkers in recent sets, Nicol Bolas Dragon-God maintains stronghold positioning within the meta. This card’s ability to impact the game across multiple axes aligns seamlessly with the dynamic and ever-evolving metagame, ensuring its continued relevance.


How to Beat Nicol Bolas Dragon-God

Nicol Bolas Dragon-God is an awe-inspiring planeswalker card that can be a game winner in Magic: The Gathering. Its ability to accrue card advantage and control the game is evident right away with its capacity to use loyalty abilities of other planeswalkers on the battlefield. To counteract this formidable card, one must strategize early in the game. Utilizing direct damage spells or creatures with the ability to target and remove planeswalkers is key. Cards like Dreadbore or Hero’s Downfall can be superb tactical choices.

Another efficient tactic involves attacking the player’s mana base to prevent them from casting Nicol Bolas Dragon-God in the first place. Land destruction or counter-spells can disrupt their play sequence. For those in a position to command their own planeswalker army, The Elderspell can be a precision hit to bolster your own planeswalker’s loyalty while decimating the opponent’s roster, including Nicol Bolas. Lastly, swiftly building pressure with agile, hard-hitting creatures can divert an opponent’s focus, forcing them to deal with threats on the board rather than casting their high-impact planeswalker.

The key to triumph lies in preparedness—having the right answers at the right time will keep Nicol Bolas Dragon-God from dominating the playing field and ultimately secure your position in the game.


BurnMana Recommendations

Embracing the power of Nicol Bolas Dragon-God in your MTG deck ensures a presence that can sway the tide of battle in your favor. From its exceptional versatility to its meta-relevance, this planeswalker adds depth and strategy to your gameplay. If you’re intrigued by the prospect of harnessing such might or searching for ways to counteract this behemoth in duels, continued learning and adaptation are key. Dive deeper into the strategic nuances of MTG, optimize your decks, and outmaneuver opponents with precision. Enhance your collection and your prowess—join us to delve further into the art of MTG’s complex battles and become a force to be reckoned with.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Nicol Bolas, Dragon-God MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Magic Online Promos, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.

For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.

Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.

Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Nicol Bolas, Dragon-God and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Nicol Bolas, Dragon-God Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 2018-10-05 and 2024-01-12. Illustrated by 4 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 722812015NormalBlackKaida Yuji
22002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 780152015NormalBlackRaymond Swanland
32018-10-05Mythic EditionMED WS62015NormalBorderlessMatt Stewart
42019-05-03War of the SparkWAR 2072015NormalBlackRaymond Swanland
52019-05-03War of the SparkWAR 207★2015NormalBlackKaida Yuji
62019-05-04War of the Spark PromosPWAR 207p2015NormalBlackRaymond Swanland
72019-05-04War of the Spark PromosPWAR 207s★2015NormalBlackKaida Yuji
82019-05-04War of the Spark PromosPWAR 207s2015NormalBlackRaymond Swanland
92019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 5222015NormalBlackRaymond Swanland
102019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 12462015NormalBorderlessYuki Fujisawa
112024-01-12Ravnica RemasteredRVR 2052015NormalBlackRaymond Swanland

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Nicol Bolas, Dragon-God has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
CommanderLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Nicol Bolas, Dragon-God card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2019-05-03 After you draw a card as Nicol Bolas’s first loyalty ability resolves, the next opponent in turn order (or, if it’s somehow an opponent’s turn, that opponent) chooses a permanent they control or chooses a card in hand without revealing that card. Then each other opponent in turn order does the same, knowing the choices made before them. Finally, all of the chosen cards are exiled simultaneously.
2019-05-03 If a loyalty ability of a planeswalker references the card it’s printed on by name, treat Nicol Bolas’s instance of that ability as though it referenced Nicol Bolas, Dragon-God by name instead. For instance, if Nahiri, Storm of Stone is on the battlefield, Nicol Bolas deals the damage if you activate the ability he gained from her.
2019-05-03 If an ability of a planeswalker exiles cards and another loyalty ability of that planeswalker references the exiled cards, those abilities are linked. If Nicol Bolas gains both abilities, the instances he has are similarly linked. Cards exiled by any other abilities Nicol Bolas has (such as his own first loyalty ability) won’t be seen by those linked abilities.
2019-05-03 If any abilities trigger as you draw a card while resolving Nicol Bolas’s first loyalty ability, those abilities don’t resolve until after your opponents have exiled a card or permanent.
2019-05-03 In a Two-Headed Giant game, if one player on a team loses the game, the entire team loses the game, even if the other player controls a legendary creature or planeswalker.
2019-05-03 Nicol Bolas doesn’t gain any static or triggered abilities of other planeswalkers or any activated abilities they may have that aren’t loyalty abilities.
2019-05-03 Nicol Bolas doesn’t remove loyalty abilities from the other planeswalkers.
2019-05-03 While Nicol Bolas may end up with an astonishing number of loyalty abilities, you can still activate only one loyalty ability of Nicol Bolas, Dragon-God each turn.