Clergy of the Holy Nimbus MTG Card


Clergy of the Holy Nimbus - Legends
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Human Cleric
Released1994-06-01
Set symbol
Set nameLegends
Set codeLEG
Power 1
Toughness 1
Number6
Frame1993
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byDaniel Gelon

Key Takeaways

  1. Efficient early defender with a regeneration ability that presents card advantage through durability on the battlefield.
  2. Demands strategic resource management for its upkeep, potentially limiting mana flexibility for other plays.
  3. Stands out for regenerative tenacity, yet requires a white mana base, which influences deck-building decisions.

Text of card

When Clergy are destroyed or take lethal damage, unless opponent pays o1 Clergy are regenerated.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Though not directly providing card draw, Clergy of the Holy Nimbus has a built-in resilience against removal thanks to its regeneration ability. This can lead to indirect card advantage as opponents may be forced to use multiple resources to permanently deal with it.

Resource Acceleration: Clergy of the Holy Nimbus doesn’t accelerate resources in the traditional sense of mana ramp. However, its low casting cost and automatic regeneration make it a resource-efficient creature, capable of defending early while you develop your board and mana base.

Instant Speed: While Clergy of the Holy Nimbus functions at sorcery speed as a creature, its regeneration ability works at instant speed. This allows for strategic blocking and regeneration during the combat phase, preserving your life total while potentially disrupting your opponent’s plans.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Clergy of the Holy Nimbus has a unique downside that may not be immediately apparent. To prevent it from being destroyed, you must continually allocate resources – in this case, mana – which can strain your ability to maintain a presence on the battlefield. Continuously paying the cost can deplete your resources, limiting your flexibility and responsiveness during the game.

Specific Mana Cost: With the necessity for white mana to utilize its regeneration ability, the Clergy of the Holy Nimbus demands a dedicated supply of this color. This restricts the card’s inclusion to primarily white or two-color decks that can reliably provide white mana, thereby decreasing its overall versatility in a multi-colored landscape.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The initial casting cost of the Clergy of the Holy Nimbus may appear low, but the true expense lies in its maintenance. The need for additional mana to keep it on the field, turn after turn, can add up – often leading to a sizeable investment that might not equate to the value received, especially when compared to other creatures with equal or lower mana costs and comparable or better abilities.


Reasons to Include Clergy of the Holy Nimbus in Your Collection

Versatility: Clergy of the Holy Nimbus offers a resilient early blocker that can regenerate, making it an asset in decks that aim to stave off early aggression. It fits well into strategies that prize board presence and creature longevity.

Combo Potential: This card has an interesting interaction with abilities that force regeneration, enabling clever tricks that can surprise an opponent. For instance, in decks that manipulate or benefit from targeted regeneration, Clergy of the Holy Nimbus plays a supporting role.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where many players rely on removal to deal with threats, this card can become an unanticipated hurdle. Since it can regenerate even after being targeted, it demands an alternative approach, which can throw off an opponent’s game plan.


How to beat Clergy of the Holy Nimbus

The Clergy of the Holy Nimbus presents a unique challenge on the battlefield. This nimble creature from Legends offers regenerative abilities, setting it apart within the realm of low-cost creatures. One of the key tactics to overpower this card involves utilizing spells that dismiss regeneration. Cast such a spell, and Clergy of the Holy Nimbus loses much of its defensive prowess, making it far more manageable for opponents.

Another effective approach encompasses spells that bypass the creature’s abilities altogether. Exiling spells or those that don’t permit regeneration, such as Path to Exile or Swords to Plowshares, prove to be notably effective here. Remember that enchantments or abilities that prevent damage altogether can also sideline the Clergy, rendering its regenerative qualities moot. Utilize these strategies, and the Clergy of the Holy Nimbus will not stand in the way of your path to victory.

For those looking to include Clergy of the Holy Nimbus in their decks, careful consideration of your opponent’s removal tactics can help you safeguard this key piece. Conversely, when facing the card, the right spells and tactics will ensure it becomes a trivial obstacle.


Cards like Clergy of the Holy Nimbus

Clergy of the Holy Nimbus is a unique creature card within Magic: The Gathering, offering resilience that’s rare among low-cost creatures. It shares some space with cards like Selfless Squire, a creature that provides a degree of protection to your health total and is known for its ability to divert damage. While not a match in mana cost or type, the protection theme resonates.

Another card to compare would be Benevolent Bodyguard, which also provides a way to safeguard your more valuable creatures. This card, much like Clergy of the Holy Nimbus, can be sacrificed for the greater good of your game strategy. Additionally, front-line creatures like Dauntless Bodyguard have a similar role in gameplay, offering not only protection for another creature but also serving as an early obstruction to enemy attacks. However, neither hold the regenerative capability of Clergy of the Holy Nimbus, which can repeatedly shield itself from destruction unless the opponent pays the additional mana cost to prevent it.

Assessing the value of Clergy of the Holy Nimbus against these similar cards in Magic: The Gathering, it stands out for its tenacity on the battlefield and the tactical advantage it brings by forcing opponents to allocate resources to fully deal with it.

Selfless Squire - MTG Card versions
Benevolent Bodyguard - MTG Card versions
Dauntless Bodyguard - MTG Card versions
Selfless Squire - Commander 2016 (C16)
Benevolent Bodyguard - Judgment (JUD)
Dauntless Bodyguard - Dominaria (DOM)

Cards similar to Clergy of the Holy Nimbus by color, type and mana cost

Savannah Lions - MTG Card versions
Benalish Hero - MTG Card versions
Icatian Infantry - MTG Card versions
Icatian Scout - MTG Card versions
Icatian Javelineers - MTG Card versions
Kjeldoran Warrior - MTG Card versions
Trade Caravan - MTG Card versions
Vigilant Martyr - MTG Card versions
Honor Guard - MTG Card versions
Volunteer Militia - MTG Card versions
Nomads en-Kor - MTG Card versions
Soul Warden - MTG Card versions
Resistance Fighter - MTG Card versions
Honorable Scout - MTG Card versions
Devoted Caretaker - MTG Card versions
Faerie Guidemother // Gift of the Fae - MTG Card versions
Kor Duelist - MTG Card versions
Yoshimaru, Ever Faithful - MTG Card versions
Mother of Runes - MTG Card versions
Daru Mender - MTG Card versions
Savannah Lions - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
Benalish Hero - Fourth Edition (4ED)
Icatian Infantry - Fallen Empires (FEM)
Icatian Scout - Fallen Empires (FEM)
Icatian Javelineers - Masters Edition II (ME2)
Kjeldoran Warrior - Ice Age (ICE)
Trade Caravan - Homelands (HML)
Vigilant Martyr - Mirage (MIR)
Honor Guard - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Volunteer Militia - Portal Second Age (P02)
Nomads en-Kor - World Championship Decks 1998 (WC98)
Soul Warden - Historic Anthology 1 (HA1)
Resistance Fighter - Classic Sixth Edition (6ED)
Honorable Scout - Planeshift (PLS)
Devoted Caretaker - Odyssey (ODY)
Faerie Guidemother // Gift of the Fae - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Kor Duelist - Wizards Play Network 2009 (PWP09)
Yoshimaru, Ever Faithful - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Mother of Runes - The List (PLST)
Daru Mender - Legions (LGN)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Clergy of the Holy Nimbus MTG card by a specific set like Legends, 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 Clergy of the Holy Nimbus and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Clergy of the Holy Nimbus has restrictions

FormatLegality
OldschoolLegal
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

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