Norn's Annex MTG Card


Norn’s Annex sets a resource cost on attackers, promoting a defensive edge and deterring opponent strategies. It offers flexibility in mana usage, allowing setup of defenses without sacrificing capability to react instantly. The card’s white Phyrexian mana cost poses deck-building restrictions, particularly for non-monowhite decks.
Card setsReleased in 6 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityRare
TypeArtifact

Text of card

({PW} can be paid with either or 2 life.) Creatures can't attack you or a planeswalker you control unless their controller pays {PW} for each of those creatures.


Cards like Norn's Annex

Norn’s Annex is a unique piece within the realm of protective spells in Magic: The Gathering. It bears similarity to cards like Ghostly Prison, which also imposes a cost on opponents for each creature they wish to attack with. Norn’s Annex introduces a twist, offering protection not just in white mana but also permitting payment with life points — a versatile option in multicolored decks.

Propaganda is another defender in this category. Unlike Norn’s Annex, it only accepts mana for the payment requirement, posing a more straightforward approach to deter attackers. Meanwhile, Sphere of Safety expands on this concept by increasing the cost per enchantment you control. It can be a formidable deterrent, but it significantly differs from Norn’s Annex in its reliance on an enchantment-heavy deck composition.

Assessing these cards alongside Norn’s Annex shows that Annex’s flexibility can be a critical factor in games where life totals can be traded more readily than mana. Its presence in a deck adds a complex layer for opponents to navigate, potentially offering more than just a hindrance but a substantial obstacle towards achieving victory.

Ghostly Prison - MTG Card versions
Propaganda - MTG Card versions
Sphere of Safety - MTG Card versions
Ghostly Prison - MTG Card versions
Propaganda - MTG Card versions
Sphere of Safety - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Norn's Annex by color, type and mana cost

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Mysterious Limousine - MTG Card versions
Autonomous Assembler - MTG Card versions
Platoon Dispenser - MTG Card versions
Bronze Guardian - MTG Card versions
Titanium Golem - MTG Card versions
Scourglass - MTG Card versions
Bastion Mastodon - MTG Card versions
Cataclysmic Gearhulk - MTG Card versions
Rules Lawyer - MTG Card versions
Chivalrous Chevalier - MTG Card versions
Ironsoul Enforcer - MTG Card versions
Assembled Ensemble - MTG Card versions
Tocasia's Onulet - MTG Card versions
Mirran Bardiche - MTG Card versions
Unstable Glyphbridge // Sandswirl Wanderglyph - MTG Card versions
Illustrious Wanderglyph - MTG Card versions
Essence of Antiquity - MTG Card versions
Sentry Bot - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Norn’s Annex presents a unique form of card advantage as it imposes a resource cost on your opponent for each creature they wish to attack with, potentially leading to a state where they are unable to deploy their own cards effectively.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly accelerating your mana, Norn’s Annex can indirectly conserve your resources by deterring attacks and reducing the need for defensive spells or creatures, allowing you to allocate mana to other strategies.

Instant Speed: Although Norn’s Annex itself is not an instant, its Phyrexian mana payment option gives you the flexibility to cast it without tapping out completely, much like you would a spell at instant speed. This leaves openings to respond to threats while still setting up your defenses.


Card Cons

Specific Mana Cost: Norn’s Annex demands a unique payment of white Phyrexian mana which could be challenging for multicolor decks that don’t heavily feature white mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With an initial investment of five mana, Norn’s Annex might come into play too late against aggressive decks looking to deal damage early on.

Discard Requirement: Although Norn’s Annex does not directly require a discard, the life payment option means players without sufficient white mana must sacrifice valuable life points, a tough trade-off in tight matches.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Norn’s Annex offers wide adaptability across different defensive strategies. As a Phyrexian mana card, it can be slotted into almost any deck color, making it a universal fit for players looking to enhance their defensive line.

Combo Potential: This card can synergize with life-loss mechanics or strategies that benefit from protecting valuable creatures. In decks focused on bolstering life totals, Norn’s Annex becomes a formidable barrier that’s hard to bypass.

Meta-Relevance: In games where opponents rely on creature swarms or direct damage strategies, Norn’s Annex can shift the balance. It forces adversaries to weigh the cost of their attacks, potentially slowing down aggressive decks and giving you the upper hand.


How to beat

Norn’s Annex is a unique card in MTG that can significantly alter the combat phase, making it challenging for an opponent to attack you. This Phyrexian card utilizes white mana or life as payment for its abilities, which can deter attacks. To effectively counteract Norn’s Annex, consider focusing on non-creature strategies like direct damage spells, combos, or abilities that don’t require creatures to attack. Also, amassing a substantial amount of creatures can overwhelm the Annex’s taxing effect, or using cards that remove artifacts or enchantments directly can nullify its influence on the game.

Cards with the proliferate mechanic can also be advantageous, allowing you to maximize the value of your resources while bypassing the need to attack. It’s essential to adjust your strategy and maintain a versatile deck with answers to possible threats like Norn’s Annex. By doing so, you maintain the upper hand and ensure that such defensive cards don’t hinder your path to victory.

Adapting to the presence of Norn’s Annex on the battlefield is key. Understanding the card’s strengths and limitations allows you to craft an effective strategy to circumvent the obstacles it presents, ensuring your deck’s resilience in the face of adversity.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering MTG means not only knowing your deck inside out but also understanding how to counter the game’s myriad of strategies. Norn’s Annex is a prime example of a card that can turn the tide of battle with its unique resource tax, providing a defensive edge. If you’re looking to enhance your gameplay, considering how cards like Norn’s Annex fit into your strategy is essential. Dive deeper into the MTG world with us, learn more about deck building, strategize against formidable cards, and always stay a step ahead of the competition. Ready to bolster your deck’s defenses and challenge your foes? Let’s gather your winning edge together.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Norn's Annex MTG card by a specific set like New Phyrexia and Mystery Booster Retail Edition Foils, 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 Norn's Annex and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Norn's Annex Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 2011-05-13 and 2023-08-04. Illustrated by James Paick.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12011-05-13New PhyrexiaNPH 172003NormalBlackJames Paick
22020-03-08Mystery Booster Retail Edition FoilsFMB1 102003NormalBlackJames Paick
32020-09-26The ListPLST NPH-172003NormalBlackJames Paick
42023-01-01Wizards Play Network 2023PW23 12015NormalBlackJames Paick
52023-02-03Phyrexia: All Will Be One CommanderONC 832015NormalBlackJames Paick
62023-08-04Commander MastersCMM 8292015NormalBlackJames Paick

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Norn's Annex has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Norn's Annex card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2011-06-01 A card with Phyrexian mana symbols in its mana cost is each color that appears in that mana cost, regardless of how that cost may have been paid.
2011-06-01 As you cast a spell or activate an activated ability with one or more Phyrexian mana symbols in its cost, you choose how to pay for each Phyrexian mana symbol at the same time you would choose modes or choose a value for X.
2011-06-01 If a player attacks with more than one creature, that player chooses how to pay each cost individually. For example, if you attack with two creatures, you may pay for one cost and 2 life for the other.
2011-06-01 If you control Norn's Annex, your opponents can choose not to attack with a creature with an ability that says it must attack.
2011-06-01 If you're at 1 life or less, you can't pay 2 life.
2011-06-01 Multiple Norn's Annexes controlled by the same player will each impose a cost to attack. Players choose how they pay each cost individually. For example, if a creature you control is attacking a player who controls two Norn's Annexes, you may pay for one cost and 2 life for the other.
2011-06-01 Phyrexian mana is not a new color. Players can't add Phyrexian mana to their mana pools.
2011-06-01 The controller of each creature attacking you or a planeswalker you control pays either or 2 life as attackers are being declared.
2011-06-01 To calculate the mana value of a card with Phyrexian mana symbols in its cost, count each Phyrexian mana symbol as 1.