Nadier's Nightblade MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Elf Warrior
Power 1
Toughness 3

Key Takeaways

  1. The Nightblade transforms token losses into card draw, maintaining a strong hand throughout the game.
  2. It thrives in token-generating decks, escalating your board strength with each token that leaves play.
  3. Despite its specific mana needs and higher cost, the card’s utility can pivot games in your favor.

Text of card

Whenever a token you control leaves the battlefield, each opponent loses 1 life and you gain 1 life.

Checking around every corner doesn't help if you forget to look up.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Nadier’s Nightblade bolsters your hand by granting you an additional card each time a token you control leaves the battlefield. This repetitive mechanic ensures that you stay ahead in resources, turning each token’s departure into a potential gain.

Resource Acceleration: This card works exceptionally well with strategies that focus on token generation. Every time a token you control leaves the battlefield, not only do you draw a card but you also add a +1/+1 counter on Nadier’s Nightblade itself, efficiently accelerating your board presence and increasing your resources.

Instant Speed: While Nadier’s Nightblade itself doesn’t have instant speed, it inherently interacts with instant speed mechanics. It supports plays during opponents’ turns, where you can sacrifice tokens in response to actions or at the end of their turn to maximize the surprise factor and resource gain. This aligns perfectly with decks looking to utilize flash spells and surprise token creation to disrupt opponents’ strategies.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Nadier’s Nightblade mandates you to part with a valuable token creature, potentially decreasing your board presence with each activation.

Specific Mana Cost: The cast of Nadier’s Nightblade demands both black and green mana, restricting it primarily to Golgari decks and affecting its flexibility in various strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Costing three mana might seem reasonable, but in a fast-paced match, dedicating an entire turn to summon Nadier’s Nightblade could put you at a disadvantage, especially if more aggressive or cost-efficient plays are required.


Reasons to Include Nadier’s Nightblade in Your Collection

Versatility: Nadier’s Nightblade offers flexibility to players by fitting effortlessly into any deck that operates on token strategies or desires a solid sacrifice outlet. Its ability to generate card draw upon creature tokens dying makes it a valuable asset across numerous deck archetypes.

Combo Potential: The card synergizes well with mechanics that produce tokens or require sacrificing creatures. This enables intriguing combos and interactions that can rapidly escalate the board state to your advantage.

Meta-Relevance: Given its potential to disrupt opponent strategies by granting card advantage while depleting their resources, Nadier’s Nightblade can become a keystone in decks designed to thrive in a varied meta. Its current relevance in gameplay ratios makes it a worthy contender for your deck, especially in formats like Commander where it shines.


How to beat Nadier’s Nightblade

Nadier’s Nightblade presents a unique challenge in Magic the Gathering due to its token-related ability. This card benefits from your tokens dying, making it tricky to handle in decks that rely on creature control. Unlike similar threats, Nadier’s Nightblade doesn’t just provide card advantage; it also has the potential to drain your life away.

When facing Nadier’s Nightblade, prioritizing removal spells that can bypass its effects becomes crucial. Cards with exile effects work wonders against it, as they prevent the death-triggered ability from activating. Think along the lines of other black staples such as Path to Exile or even a well-timed graveyard shuffle like Tormod’s Crypt to mitigate its impact. Additionally, employing sacrifice prevention measures, like Angel of Jubilation, which restricts your opponent’s ability to capitalize on token sacrifices, can leave Nadier’s Nightblade as merely a nuisance, rather than a severe threat.

In essence, dealing with Nadier’s Nightblade effectively boils down to a strategic response aimed at its Achilles’ heel, bypassing its strength in exploiting token death. By integrating these tactics, you can nullify this elusive card’s advantage and maintain the upper hand in your match-ups.


BurnMana Recommendations

Delving into the depths of MTG is a continual quest for advantage, and Nadier’s Nightblade is a card that can turn the tide of battle in your favor. As we’ve dissected its pros and cons, it’s clear that this Golgari-aligned creature holds considerable power in decks tailored for token usage and sacrifice mechanics. Its card advantage and resource acceleration capabilities make it advantageous in prolonged games. While mindful of potential setbacks, integrating this card into your collection could be the strategic touch needed for those seeking to harness the full potential of their token-producing decks. Enhance your gameplay and outmaneuver opponents by grasping the subtle tactics that make Nadier’s Nightblade a worthy artifact in your MTG arsenal.


Cards like Nadier's Nightblade

Nadier’s Nightblade is an intriguing creature card that finds its place in commander decks aiming to use tokens as a strategy within the Magic: The Gathering realm. Like Zulaport Cutthroat, it offers a benefit when another creature you control dies, but Nadier’s Nightblade specifically capitalizes on token creatures expiring, adding an element of stealth and reward with each fallen ally, an asset that Zulaport Cutthroat does not specifically require.

Falkenrath Noble is another card that comes to mind when considering similar effects. While the Noble provides a similar death-triggered ability, affecting any creature’s demise, Nadier’s Nightblade’s lower mana cost makes it an early-game playable which can be tactically advantageous. Meanwhile, Blood Artist follows this theme of benefiting from creature deaths but does so in a more versatile manner, without the restriction to tokens alone. Its influence spans all creatures’ deaths, making it versatile in various board conditions.

In essence, the distinctive aspect of Nadier’s Nightblade in providing advantages from token creatures dying offers a promising synergy in decks that can create and sacrifice tokens prolifically. As a result, Nadier’s Nightblade presents a unique role in Magic: The Gathering, by aligning closely with token-focused strategies.

Zulaport Cutthroat - MTG Card versions
Falkenrath Noble - MTG Card versions
Blood Artist - MTG Card versions
Zulaport Cutthroat - Battle for Zendikar (BFZ)
Falkenrath Noble - Innistrad (ISD)
Blood Artist - Avacyn Restored (AVR)

Cards similar to Nadier's Nightblade by color, type and mana cost

Nettling Imp - MTG Card versions
Royal Assassin - MTG Card versions
Plague Rats - MTG Card versions
El-Hajjâj - MTG Card versions
Frozen Shade - MTG Card versions
Scathe Zombies - MTG Card versions
Sorceress Queen - MTG Card versions
Lost Soul - MTG Card versions
Mindstab Thrull - MTG Card versions
Mischievous Poltergeist - MTG Card versions
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Razortooth Rats - MTG Card versions
Ghastly Remains - MTG Card versions
Lord of the Undead - MTG Card versions
Deepwood Ghoul - MTG Card versions
Dross Prowler - MTG Card versions
Nim Abomination - MTG Card versions
Vesper Ghoul - MTG Card versions
Hypnotic Specter - MTG Card versions
Dusk Imp - MTG Card versions
Nettling Imp - Limited Edition Alpha (LEA)
Royal Assassin - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
Plague Rats - Foreign Black Border (FBB)
El-Hajjâj - Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border (4BB)
Frozen Shade - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
Scathe Zombies - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Sorceress Queen - Rivals Quick Start Set (RQS)
Lost Soul - Introductory Two-Player Set (ITP)
Mindstab Thrull - Fifth Edition (5ED)
Mischievous Poltergeist - Classic Sixth Edition (6ED)
Strongarm Thug - Mercadian Masques (MMQ)
Razortooth Rats - Seventh Edition (7ED)
Ghastly Remains - Legions (LGN)
Lord of the Undead - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Deepwood Ghoul - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Dross Prowler - Mirrodin (MRD)
Nim Abomination - Darksteel (DST)
Vesper Ghoul - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
Hypnotic Specter - Magic Player Rewards 2006 (P06)
Dusk Imp - Tenth Edition (10E)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Nadier's Nightblade MTG card by a specific set like Commander Legends and Commander Masters, 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 Nadier's Nightblade and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Nadier's Nightblade Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2020-11-20 and 2023-08-04. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12020-11-20Commander LegendsCMR 1362015normalblackRandy Vargas
22023-08-04Commander MastersCMM 6412015normalborderlessDouglas Shuler
32023-08-04Commander MastersCMM 1752015normalblackRandy Vargas

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Nadier's Nightblade has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

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