Nekrataal Avatar MTG Card

Rarity	Rare
Type	Vanguard
Released	2003-01-01
Set symbol
Set name	Magic Online Avatars
Set code	PMOA
Number	58
Frame	2015
Layout	Vanguard
Border	Black
Illustred by	UDON

Key Takeaways

Nekrataal Avatar offers tactical depth by providing card advantage and board control.
Instant speed use of the avatar allows for flexible and disruptive play.
Removal abilities of Nekrataal Avatar can indirectly contribute to resource acceleration.

Text of card

Creature spells you cast cost less to cast. This effect reduces only the amount of colored mana you pay.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Nekrataal Avatar card brings tactical depth to your game by eliminating a threat on the battlefield, thereby not only purging an obstacle but effectively shifting the balance of cards in play. With its potent ability, you trade one card for another, possibly more valuable, keeping you ahead in the struggle for dominance on the board.

Resource Acceleration: Although Nekrataal Avatar doesn’t directly produce mana or tokens, its capability to keep the battlefield clear can indirectly lead to resource acceleration. By removing a key creature, you might prevent an opponent from executing their strategy or even unlock your path to more efficiently deploy your resources without hindrance.

Instant Speed: The ability to use this avatar at instant speed offers incredible flexibility and strategic foresight. You can wait until the most opportune moment, perhaps disrupting an opponent’s combo or saving it for a surprise block. The power to act in reaction, rather than proactively, keeps your opponent guessing and can force them to play more conservatively.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Engaging with the Nekrataal Avatar sometimes means letting go of valuable cards in hand, which could hinder your game strategy, especially when your hand is already depleting.

Specific Mana Cost: This avatar’s casting requirements necessitate both black and generic mana which restricts it to decks that can reliably produce both, potentially limiting its versatility across different deck archetypes.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Its mana cost is weighty, and when considering the pace of competitive play, resources might be better allocated towards more immediate threats or versatile responses.

Reasons to Include Nekrataal Avatar in Your Collection

Versatility: Nekrataal Avatar serves as a flexible choice for any collection due to its ability to act as a removal tool while providing a presence on the board. It easily integrates into decks that are designed to control the opponent’s threats or require creatures with enter-the-battlefield effects.

Combo Potential: This card opens up synergies with other spells that capitalize on death triggers or reanimate tactics. Deck builders who enjoy crafting intricate play sequences will find this card to be a valuable component in their combos.

Meta-Relevance: Given that creature-based strategies are commonplace in many metagames, having access to a creature like Nekrataal Avatar, which can deal with opposing threats upon entering the battlefield, remains a significant asset. It ensures your deck can adapt and respond effectively to evolving gameplay dynamics.

How to beat

The Nekrataal Avatar card emerges as a powerful creature with a particularly devastating enter-the-battlefield effect that can disrupt your board presence. Yet, like many formidable cards in the vast realm of Magic the Gathering, it’s not without its vulnerabilities. To effectively counter this threat, focus on strategies that don’t rely on creatures, or use those with hexproof or indestructible to nullify the Avatar’s ability.

Preventive measures such as counterspells should be kept in hand to deal with the Avatar before it can manifest its power on the battlefield. Alternatively, if Nekrataal Avatar has already entered play, consider leveraging sacrifice effects to your advantage – removing your less critical creatures while establishing a more dominant board state. Additionally, graveyard manipulation tactics can prove to be effective, denying the reanimation potential often associated with such potent creature cards.

Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of Nekrataal Avatar allows you to prepare your deck with answers that prevent it from tipping the scales. Adapting your playstyle and deck composition to anticipate and neutralize this card can ensure that it becomes less of a game-deciding factor and more of a manageable obstacle within the intricate strategy of Magic the Gathering.

Cards like Nekrataal Avatar

Delving into the array of creature cards in Magic: The Gathering, the Nekrataal Avatar awakens a wealth of comparisons. Standing shoulder to shoulder with the original Nekrataal, the Avatar expands on the beloved formula of an enter-the-battlefield creature that destroys another creature. The Avatar mirrors Nekrataal’s ability to remove a threat upon arrival, yet it surpasses its predecessor by not being subject to its restriction of targeting only non-artifact, non-black creatures. This makes the Avatar highly adaptable against a broader range of opponents.

Another comparable card is Skinrender, which also offers a creature removal effect upon entry, targeting creatures regardless of color. While Skinrender weakens rather than destroys outright, it bypasses indestructible statuses that other cards might struggle with. Then, we can’t overlook Shriekmaw with its evocative Evoke mechanic allowing you to deploy its creature destroying ability at a lower cost, though it shares the original Nekrataal’s limitation against black creatures and artifacts.

Ultimately, amongst the echelons of creature removal within Magic: The Gathering, the Nekrataal Avatar stands out for its versatile target elimination and solid presence on the battlefield, lending credence to its desirability and usefulness in many game situations.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Nekrataal Avatar MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Avatars, 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 Nekrataal Avatar and other MTG cards: