Nimbus Champion MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 6 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Avatar Warrior |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Released | 2018-06-08 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Battlebond |
| Set code | BBD |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 4 |
| Number | 37 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Anastasia Ovchinnikova |
Key Takeaways
- Nimbus Champion can provide card advantage and fits well in decks focusing on the Ascend mechanic.
- Its specific mana requirements and discard condition may limit its inclusion in certain decks.
- Despite a high mana cost, its battlefield versatility and meta relevance make it a worthy addition.
Text of card
Flying Whenever Nimbus Champion attacks, you may return target creature to its owner's hand if that creature's power is less than or equal to the number of Warriors your team controls.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Nimbus Champion boasts the ability to gift you an extra draw upon attacking, if you have the city’s blessing. This repetitive gain in resources can offer a substantial advantage over the course of a game.
Resource Acceleration: If Nimbus Champion is part of a combo or synergy that returns it to your hand or another zone, you can potentially trigger ascend multiple times in a game, which, while niche, equips you with a unique method of resource acceleration.
Instant Speed: While Nimbus Champion itself isn’t an instant, its ability to potentially trigger at instant speed due to the myriad ways of gaining the city’s blessing, aligns seamlessly with surprise combat tactics or end-of-turn plays that can tip the scale in your favor.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: With Nimbus Champion, you must discard a card to trigger its ascend ability. This can be a setback in game situations where maintaining a full hand could mean the difference between victory and defeat.
Specific Mana Cost: Necessitating a specific combination of mana types, Nimbus Champion requires one black and one white mana. This requirement can pose a challenge for players not running a white-black deck or lacking mana flexibility.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: At six mana to play, Nimbus Champion’s cost is on the higher end. Deck builders must weigh its late-game impact against other potentially more impactful cards that could be played at a similar mana cost.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Nimbus Champion provides a dynamic presence on the battlefield with its ability to bolster your attacking forces while also serving as a formidable blocker. Its flexibility makes it a favorable pick for decks that capitalize on strong combat phases.
Combo Potential: Through its ascend mechanic, Nimbus Champion works remarkably well in decks designed around permanent count. Additionally, its lifelink potential when attacking with a sizeable board can be a game-changer, synergizing well with both life-gain strategies and cards that reward controlling a creature with lifelink.
Meta-Relevance: As players navigate through shifting metas, Nimbus Champion proves to be a relevant choice. In a meta where creatures dominate and combat is crucial, its ability to impact the board while benefiting from the presence of other creatures makes it a tactically savvy inclusion in your arsenal.
How to beat
Nimbus Champion is a unique creature card that sets itself apart with its prowess in battle, especially when you activate its Ascend ability. Facing this card across the table can be a challenging experience for many players. The key strategy to outmaneuver a Nimbus Champion lies in preemptive actions and strategic removal.
Interacting with Nimbus Champion favorably involves utilizing removal spells before the opponent achieves the City’s Blessing, minimizing the chances of it becoming a larger threat. Cards like Fatal Push or Path to Exile can efficiently dispatch it without incurring a significant mana cost. Effective counters, like Negate or Mana Leak, can also prevent Nimbus Champion from impacting the game if played at the right moment. Moreover, minimizing the number of permanents an opponent controls can delay them from activating Ascend, which can be instrumental in curtailing the power of Nimbus Champion.
In sum, dealing with Nimbus Champion requires a mix of timing your removal spells, countering key spells, and limiting opponent’s permanents on the battlefield. With a well-thought-out strategy and a careful selection of controlling elements, taking down Nimbus Champion becomes a manageable task within the game’s vast strategic landscape.
Cards like Nimbus Champion
Exploring the wide array of battle-triggers in MTG, Nimbus Champion stands out with its resonant assault. This card reminisces the mechanics of cards like Blood Tyrant, which also triggers growth and gains advantage when attacking or when other creatures leave the battlefield. However, Nimbus Champion’s ascendency relies on having the city’s blessing, marking a difference in conditional power activation that Blood Tyrant does not stipulate.
Another creature card in discussion is Regal Caracal. Though not identical in behavior, this feline leader echoes a presence on the battlefield by bolstering its kin. Unlike Nimbus Champion, Regal Caracal doesn’t necessitate the city’s blessing, but rather, it focuses on supporting an army of cats. Here, the focal point shifts from individual power swings to the augmentation of a group’s prowess.
When it comes to battlefield influence and the versatility of triggering effects, Nimbus Champion holds its own in comparison with creatures of similar calibre. It offers a strategic advantage in games where acquiring the city’s blessing is attainable, showcasing a unique twist in creature dynamics within MTG’s battle-centric engagements.
Cards similar to Nimbus Champion by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Nimbus Champion MTG card by a specific set like Battlebond, 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 Nimbus Champion and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Nimbus Champion has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Nimbus Champion card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2018-06-08 | Nimbus Champion’s ability can target any creature. Whether that creature is returned to its owner’s hand is determined as the ability resolves. |
