Niblis of the Mist MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Spirit
Abilities	Flying
Released	2012-02-03
Set symbol
Set name	Dark Ascension
Set code	DKA
Power	2
Toughness	1
Number	15
Frame	2003
Layout	normal
Border	black
Illustred by	Igor Kieryluk

Key Takeaways

Niblis of the Mist excels in controlling the game by tapping creatures, influencing the battlefield.
Its instant speed tapping ability allows for surprise plays and maintains tactical advantages.
However, specific mana requirements and absence of discard outlets may limit its use in diverse decks.

Text of card

Flying When Niblis of the Mist enters the battlefield, you may tap target creature.

"Not even a roaring fire could thaw the chill it put in my heart." —Vonn, geist-trapper

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Niblis of the Mist is a beneficial card as it presents an opportunity to disrupt your opponent’s strategy by tapping their potential attackers or blockers. By doing so, it can potentially lead to gaining an advantage in card economy.

Resource Acceleration: While Niblis of the Mist itself does not directly accelerate resources, its ability to tap other creatures can indirectly preserve your resources. It saves spells or blockers you might have used, effectively accelerating your board state while controlling the pace.

Instant Speed: The tap ability of Niblis of the Mist operates at instant speed, which is a tactical advantage. This allows for strategic plays during your opponent’s turn or the end of their turn, keeping your options open and maintaining the element of surprise.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Niblis of the Mist comes without a direct discard requirement but focuses more on the tapping ability it confers. However, this does not mitigate the fact that having a discard outlet is always beneficial in blue-white decks, and its absence might be felt.

Specific Mana Cost: This creature demands both white and blue mana, making it less flexible for multicolor decks that might not always have the right mana available. Such a specific requirement can impose limitations on deck building and mana base considerations.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that might seem modest at three mana, players will undoubtedly weigh its battlefield impact. When put side-by-side with other three-mana creatures or spells that have the potential to change the game state more dramatically, Niblis of the Mist might not always make the cut.

Reasons to Include Niblis of the Mist in Your Collection

Versatility: Niblis of the Mist brings a level of flexibility to your deck you don’t want to miss. Its ability to tap a target creature upon entering the battlefield allows it to fit snugly into decks that require tempo control or those that benefit from manipulating the state of the board.

Combo Potential: The card beautifully sets the stage for various combos, particularly in blue and white decks that focus on crowd control. Paired with cards that untap your creatures or those that take advantage of tapped opponents’ creatures, Niblis of the Mist serves as the linchpin for some very satisfying gameplay moments.

Meta-Relevance: In a game environment dominated by aggressive creature strategies, the ability to tap potential attackers or blockers can significantly shift the tide of battle. If you’re navigating a meta where board presence is king, including Niblis of the Mist in your arsenal can give you the edge you need to outmaneuver your opponents.

How to beat Niblis of the Mist

Niblis of the Mist takes its place in the pantheon of creature cards with subtle control abilities in Magic: The Gathering. Key to managing this spectral adversary is recognizing its core strength – tap a target creature upon entry. This can disrupt your battlefield maneuvers, especially if you were counting on a particular blocker.

There are several strategies to counter Niblis of the Mist effectively. One approach is to utilize instant-speed removal spells that can be cast in response to its entering the battlefield, ensuring your key creatures remain untapped and ready for action. Cards with hexproof or shroud prevent Niblis from selecting them as targets, circumventing the tapping ability.

Moreover, deck-building strategies that focus on creatures with enter the battlefield immunities or undying/persist abilities can negate the impact of Niblis of the Mist. Such creatures can either be void of targeting or return to the battlefield potentially stronger, which can actually turn Niblis’s entry disadvantage into an advantage for you. In essence, with clever deck construction and strategic play, overcoming the entrancing chill of Niblis of the Mist can be less challenging than it appears.

Cards like Niblis of the Mist

Niblis of the Mist stands out as a unique creature card in MTG, offering a blend of utility and control within a white deck. This card is somewhat reminiscent of Frost Lynx from the blue spectrum, which also taps a target creature upon entering the battlefield. However, Niblis of the Mist’s alignment with white mana sets it on a different trajectory within gameplay dynamics.

Exploring similar cards, Gideon’s Lawkeeper is another candidate, a low-cost creature that can tap others but demands a mana payment for each activation. Niblis of the Mist bypasses the need for mana expenditure with its impactful entrance. It also shares a kindred spirit with a more aggressive counterpart, Banisher Priest, providing creature control but going further to exile the opponent’s creature temporarily.

Between these comparisons, Niblis of the Mist emerges as a formidable choice for players seeking a tempo advantage with its immediate tap effect without recurring costs. Its synergy in white-centric decks, especially those focusing on detainment and control, makes it a card that commands attention on the battlefield.

Cards similar to Niblis of the Mist by color, type and mana cost

Pianna, Nomad Captain - MTG Card versions

Regal Unicorn - Classic Sixth Edition (6ED)

Kitsune Palliator - Betrayers of Kamigawa (BOK)

Zhalfirin Commander - Duel Decks: Knights vs. Dragons (DDG)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Niblis of the Mist MTG card by a specific set like Dark Ascension, 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 Niblis of the Mist and other MTG cards: