A-Narfi, Betrayer King MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Legendary Snow Creature — Zombie Wizard |
| Released | 2021-02-05 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Kaldheim |
| Set code | KHM |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 3 |
| Number | A-224 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Daarken |
Text of card
Other snow and Zombie creatures you control get +1/+1. {S}{S}{S}: Return Narfi, Betrayer King from your graveyard to the battlefield tapped. ({S} can be paid with one mana from a snow source.)
To serve the god of death, Narfi forfeited the warmth of life.
Cards like A-Narfi, Betrayer King
The A-Narfi, Betrayer King card offers unique versatility among the undead legions of Magic: The Gathering. Much like the celebrated Death Baron, which gives other Zombie creatures you control +1/+1 and deathtouch, A-Narfi shares this creature type empowering trait. Yet, A-Narfi is extraordinary with its ability to reanimate directly from the graveyard, using snow mana, which Death Baron lacks. This self-recursion mirrors the mechanic of another spectral commander, the Sedris, the Traitor King, whose unearth ability allows for a temporary revival of creatures from the graveyard.
As for direct interaction with snow permanents, A-Narfi points to similarities with Rimefeather Owl, which can grow in power and toughness based on the number of snow permanents on the field. However, Rimefeather Owl doesn’t share A-Narfi’s tribal synergies or reanimation capability. Lastly, the closest analogy might be found in The Scarab God, which not only dominates Zombie tribal strategies but also has the power to revive creatures from any graveyard, albeit as a 4/4 black Zombie.
Considering all angles, A-Narfi, Betrayer King serves as a lynchpin in snow-centric and Zombie tribal decks, with its reanimation technique potentially providing continuous value and a robust presence in games of MTG.
Cards similar to A-Narfi, Betrayer King by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: A-Narfi, Betrayer King offers unique card advantage mechanisms by recurring from the graveyard. This ability to return to the battlefield provides players with an enduring threat, ensuring their board presence is maintained without depleting resources from their hand.
Resource Acceleration: As a Zombie lord, Narfi accelerates the resources of any Zombie-centric deck, boosting the power and toughness of other Zombies. Its ability to be cast from the graveyard using Snow mana furthers the potential for resource acceleration by effectively bypassing the need for casting from hand and using mana for other strategic plays.
Instant Speed: Although not an instant itself, Narfi’s reanimation can be activated at instant speed, providing strategic flexibility. Players can choose the most opportune moment during the end step of an opponent’s turn to bring Narfi back, potentially disrupting their strategies and keeping them guessing.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: To reanimate A-Narfi, Betrayer King from your graveyard, you must exile two other snow permanents you control, which could be a hefty price to pay in a close game. Often, this can set you back if the board state is not in your favor or if you’re running low on snow permanents.
Specific Mana Cost: While versatile in accepting either three snow mana or one blue and two black mana, its cost is tied to a specific set of resources. This restricts deck-building somewhat since you’ll need a decent amount of snow lands or snow permanents to cast it reliably.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana and the need to maintain snow permanents on the field, A-Narfi, Betrayer King can be mana-intensive compared to other creatures in its category. The commitment to a snow-based strategy can make it less flexible and more predictable for opponents to counteract.
Reasons to Include A-Narfi, Betrayer King in Your Collection
Versatility: A-Narfi, Betrayer King shines in flexibility, effortlessly fitting into multiple deck archetypes. It can be a linchpin in Zombie tribal decks or serve as a resilient threat in control-oriented strategies with its ability to return from the graveyard.
Combo Potential: With Narfi, you can tap other untapped snow creatures to fuel various combos, enhancing strategies that require creatures on the battlefield for maximum effect. Its reanimation ability also provides seamless synergy with self-mill and sacrifice themes.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where creatures are key, Narfi’s indestructible nature becomes invaluable. As the meta shifts, the consistent threat Narfi poses ensures it remains a relevant player, able to stand up against many removal-heavy decks.
How to beat
Narfi, Betrayer King presents a unique challenge in Magic: The Gathering with its ability to become a recurring threat from the graveyard. To effectively counter this icy adversary, players should consider exile or graveyard disruption tactics as a primary strategy. Graveyard hate cards such as Rest in Peace or Leyline of the Void can prevent Narfi from returning to the battlefield once it hits the graveyard, effectively neutralizing the regeneration ability.
Additionally, spells that exile like Path to Exile or cards enabling sacrificial effects without targeting, like Liliana’s Triumph, bypass Narfi’s indestructible nature when on the field. Players can also opt for counterspells to prevent Narfi from hitting the field in the first place. For a game where Narfi has already taken a commanding presence, consider utilizing board wipes that force sacrifice, as they avoid targeting and thereby circumvent any protections Narfi may have.
Adapting to the presence of threats like Narfi in your opponent’s deck necessitates a flexible approach with a focus on non-conventional removal options. When prepared, overcoming the Betrayer King becomes a manageable task, keeping the balance of the game in your favor.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase A-Narfi, Betrayer King MTG card by a specific set like Kaldheim, 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 A-Narfi, Betrayer King and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
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- MTG Mint Card
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- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where A-Narfi, Betrayer King has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Brawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |