Narset of the Ancient Way MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 6 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityMythic
TypeLegendary Planeswalker — Narset
Loyalty 4

Key Takeaways

  1. Narset excels at card advantage, sculpting hands through drawing and discarding for strategic control.
  2. The card enables resource acceleration, allowing the casting of impactful spells ahead of time.
  3. Instant-speed noncreature spells can be cast using Narset’s ability, bringing element of surprise and flexibility.

Text of card


+1: You gain 2 life. Add , , or . Spend this mana only to cast a noncreature spell.
-2: Draw a card, then you may discard a card. When you discard a nonland card this way, Narset of the Ancient Way deals damage equal to that card's mana value to target creature or planeswalker.
-6: You get an emblem with "Whenever you cast a noncreature spell, this emblem deals 2 damage to any target."


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Narset of the Ancient Way helps in sculpting your hand by drawing and discarding, ensuring you have the right answers or threats at the right time. This ability increases your ability to maintain a strong card presence against your opponent.

Resource Acceleration: This planeswalker also accelerates your resources by letting you add mana of the color of your choice, aiding in casting costly spells sooner. This can lead to game-changing plays, giving you a considerable lead in resource management.

Instant Speed: Narset’s -2 ability can be used to cast noncreature spells with instant speed, which provides flexibility and the element of surprise. This enables you to respond to threats immediately or optimize your plays based on the evolving game state.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One of the nuances of Narset of the Ancient Way is its -2 ability, compelling you to discard a card in order to execute its effect. This could put you in a precarious position, especially if you’re holding cards critical to your strategy or if your hand is running low on options.

Specific Mana Cost: Narset comes with a Jeskai mana cost (one blue, one red, one white), which, while flavorful for the character, can be restrictive. Deck builders need a firm base in these colors to reliably cast her, making her less flexible for inclusion in decks that don’t conform to these particular mana requirements.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: At four mana including three specific colors, Narset’s casting cost places her on the higher end of the spectrum for planeswalkers. When looking at the competitive landscape, some may find other planeswalkers or cards providing similar or greater value at a lower or more flexible cost, which could deter players from choosing Narset as their preferred option.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Narset of the Ancient Way is a multi-faceted planeswalker that can be slotted into control decks or midrange decks with ease. Its ability to manipulate the battlefield, provide card advantage, and deal direct damage makes it a dynamic addition to any collection.

Combo Potential: With her second ability, Narset of the Ancient Way can serve as an enabler for various combos, especially in a Jeskai spellslinger deck. She can set up powerful plays or recover key pieces from the graveyard, establishing the synergy needed for winning strategies.

Meta-Relevance: This card remains a strong contender in formats where its colors dominate and spell-based strategies prevail. As the metagame shifts, her versatility keeps her relevant, providing both aggressive and defensive capabilities that can pivot to match the pace of play.


How to beat

Narset of the Ancient Way presents a unique challenge on the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering. As a versatile planeswalker, excel in disrupting her strategy to gain the upper hand. Begin by keeping her activations in check; use direct damage spells to decrease her loyalty or creatures with haste to pressure her immediately upon entering the battlefield. It is crucial to prioritize removing her from play swiftly before she generates substantial value through card filtering and mana acceleration.

Counterplay can be equally effective. Counterspells are your best line of defense when Narset is on the stack, circumventing her impact altogether. In addition, consider utilizing removal spells efficiently – timing is everything. Employ instant-speed removal during your opponent’s turn to limit their ability to protect Narset or exploit her abilities. Moreover, beware of her powerful ultimate ability – negating it or racing to win before it activates can determine the outcome of your clash.

Ultimately, it’s all about staying one step ahead. Monitor your opponent’s resources, anticipate Narset’s arrival, and maintain control of the game tempo. By integrating these strategies, you can prevent Narset of the Ancient Way from unraveling your plans and secure your victory in the arena of Magic: The Gathering.


BurnMana Recommendations

If you’re intrigued by the versatility and strategic depth that Narset of the Ancient Way brings to MTG gameplay, deepening your knowledge and collection is essential. Utilizing her abilities to sculpt your hand, accelerate resources, and cast at instant speed provides a formidable edge in any match. Consider the pros and cons, such as her specific mana cost and the discard requirement, to optimize your deck’s performance. Whether enhancing your control deck or exploring new combos, Narset remains a relevant force in the shifting meta. Embrace the journey through the multiverse and enrich your MTG experience with Narset of the Ancient Way today.


Cards like Narset of the Ancient Way

Narset of the Ancient Way is a striking Planeswalker card that offers a unique blend of abilities, reminiscent yet distinctive from other cards in Magic: The Gathering. With a profile akin to Sarkhan the Masterless, Narset allows players to harness the power of noncreature spells while also generating a defensive advantage. Sarkhan similarly transforms noncreature spells into concrete battlefield influence by turning them into Dragons, yet Narset excels in gaining life and drawing cards, setting the stage for casting powerful spells.

Another card that shares a kinship with Narset is the esteemed Teferi, Time Raveler. Both Planeswalkers assist in controlling the flow of the game, albeit Teferi focuses on limiting opponents’ timing by forcing them to play at sorcery speed. Narset, contrastingly, provides card advantage and the potential for direct damage, chiseling away at the opponent’s life total or board position.

While pondering the synergy and strategic prowess of Narset of the Ancient Way, its capacity to filter cards and its versatile ultimate ability holds considerable weight against counterparts. It shines as a quintessential tool for Jeskai control decks, capable of tipping the scales in a strategist’s favor with her manifold utilities.

Sarkhan the Masterless - MTG Card versions
Teferi, Time Raveler - MTG Card versions
Sarkhan the Masterless - War of the Spark (WAR)
Teferi, Time Raveler - War of the Spark (WAR)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Narset of the Ancient Way MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths, 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 Narset of the Ancient Way and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Narset of the Ancient Way Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2020-04-24 and 2023-08-04. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 808032015normalblackKev Walker
22020-04-24Ikoria: Lair of BehemothsIKO 1952015normalblackYongjae Choi
32020-04-24Ikoria: Lair of BehemothsIKO 2782015normalborderlessKev Walker
42020-04-24Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths PromosPIKO 195s2015normalblackYongjae Choi
52020-04-24Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths PromosPIKO 195p2015normalblackYongjae Choi
62023-08-04Commander MastersCMM 9302015normalblackYongjae Choi

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Narset of the Ancient Way has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
CommanderLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Narset of the Ancient Way card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

DateText
2020-04-17 An ability that triggers when a player casts a spell resolves before the spell that caused it to trigger. It resolves even if that spell is countered.
2020-04-17 Because it’s a loyalty ability, Narset’s first ability isn’t a mana ability. It can be activated only any time you could cast a sorcery. It uses the stack and can be responded to.
2020-04-17 If a card you discard has in its mana cost, X is considered to be 0.
2020-04-17 Narset’s second ability goes on the stack without a target. While that ability is resolving, you draw a card and may choose to discard a card. When you discard a nonland card this way, the reflexive triggered ability triggers and you pick a target to be dealt damage. This is different from effects that say “If you do . . .” in that you choose a target after looking at the card you draw and players can respond to the reflexive triggered ability knowing how much damage will be dealt.
2020-04-17 The emblem created by Narset’s last ability is colorless. The damage it deals is from a colorless source.
2020-04-17 You can discard a card even if Narset leaves the battlefield before her middle ability resolves. The reflexive triggered ability will still trigger if you discard a nonland card.

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