Mer-Ek Nightblade MTG Card
2014-09-26 - Number 79
2017-11-17 - Number 97
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Orc Assassin |
| Abilities | Outlast |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
Outlast (, : Put a +1/+1 counter on this creature. Outlast only as a sorcery.) Each creature you control with a +1/+1 counter on it has deathtouch.
Cards like Mer-Ek Nightblade
Mer-Ek Nightblade stands as a key player among creatures that utilize +1/+1 counters in Magic: The Gathering. It bears similarities to other cards that operate on the counters mechanic, such as Ainok Bond-Kin. Both creatures have the ability to use counters to their advantage, but Mer-Ek Nightblade takes it further by granting all creatures you control with +1/+1 counters deathtouch, potentially turning each one into a lethal threat.
Another comparable card is Abzan Falconer, which also interacts with +1/+1 counters, albeit in a different way. Instead of deathtouch, it gives creatures with +1/+1 counters flying, providing a strategic advantage in terms of evasion. Both cards can dramatically change the board state, but Mer-Ek Nightblade’s deathtouch can deter opponents’ attackers, regardless of their size.
Furthermore, when considering cards with similar impact, Corpsejack Menace deserves a mention. This creature doubles the number of +1/+1 counters placed on creatures you control, which can quickly escalate the threat level of a Mer-Ek Nightblade on the battlefield. These cards collectively highlight the synergetic power and diverse strategies that +1/+1 counters bring to the game, with Mer-Ek Nightblade emphasizing defensive dominance through its deathtouch-granting ability.
Cards similar to Mer-Ek Nightblade by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Mer-Ek Nightblade’s ability to give each creature you control with a +1/+1 counter on it deathtouch helps maintain card advantage by making your creatures more threatening and deterring opponents from blocking or attacking, potentially leading to advantageous board states.
Resource Acceleration: While Mer-Ek Nightblade itself does not directly provide resource acceleration, its presence can indirectly influence this aspect. By threatening deathtouch through counters, it can force opponents to use their resources inefficiently, trying to deal with your creatures, effectively giving you a subtle leg up in the resource race.
Instant Speed: Although Mer-Ek Nightblade is not an instant, its impact on the game can be similar to the advantages that playing at instant speed offers. It allows for reactionary plays by giving your creatures deathtouch during combat on any turn, thus altering the outcome of battles significantly and unexpectedly from an opponent’s perspective.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Mer-Ek Nightblade, while lacking an actual discard requisite, does require a setup of cards with +1/+1 counters to fully utilize its potential. This pre-condition can be limiting in decks not centered around counter manipulation.
Specific Mana Cost: With its color identity firmly in black, Mer-Ek Nightblade demands both general and specific mana investments. This particular demand on mana resources means it naturally syncs with fewer deck types, possibly causing deckbuilding restraints.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost of four, including three generic and one black, the Nightblade enters the battlefield later than many other creatures. While its ability to give deathtouch to creatures with +1/+1 counters is valuable, the mana investment can be steep, especially when faster alternatives may be available.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Mer-Ek Nightblade is a great inclusion for decks that focus on +1/+1 counters. Its ability to give deathtouch to each creature you control with a +1/+1 counter enhances both offensive and defensive strategies.
Combo Potential: This card aligns perfectly with proliferate mechanics or any strategy that seeks to spread counters among creatures efficiently. With Mer-Ek Nightblade on the board, your growing threats become even deadlier.
Meta-Relevance: In formats where creature combat is prevalent, Mer-Ek Nightblade raises the stakes of every encounter. By making any of your creature a potential threat to the toughest of opponents, it can shift the battlefield in your favor.
How to Beat
Mer-Ek Nightblade is a unique creature in the world of Magic: The Gathering due to its ability to bolster other creatures with its Outlast feature. Essentially, this card gives creatures you control with a +1/+1 counter on them deathtouch, making them lethal to any creature they damage. When dealing with this formidable foe, it’s critical to strategize carefully.
To gain the upper hand against Mer-Ek Nightblade, priority should be on removing it before its Outlast ability can be utilized. Cards with removal abilities like Doom Blade or Path to Exile are invaluable for their precision strike capability. Eliminating Mer-Ek Nightblade before it can give deathtouch to other creatures is the key to maintaining control of the battlefield.
Alternatively, if Nightblade’s influence is already in play, focus on managing the battlefield with board wipes such as Wrath of God to reset the playing field. A card with hexproof or protection against black can also withstand Mer-Ek Nightblade’s enhanced creatures. By deploying these tactics, you stay one step ahead, keeping Mer-Ek’s potential impact to a minimum.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Mer-Ek Nightblade MTG card by a specific set like Khans of Tarkir and Iconic 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 Mer-Ek Nightblade and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
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- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
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- Card Hoarder Magic Online
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Printings
The Mer-Ek Nightblade Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2014-09-26 and 2017-11-17. Illustrated by Lucas Graciano.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2014-09-26 | Khans of Tarkir | KTK | 79 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Lucas Graciano | |
| 2 | 2017-11-17 | Iconic Masters | IMA | 97 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Lucas Graciano |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Mer-Ek Nightblade has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Mer-Ek Nightblade card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2014-09-20 | Several creatures with outlast also grant an ability to creatures you control with +1/+1 counters on them, including themselves. These counters could come from an outlast ability, but any +1/+1 counter on the creature will count. |
| 2014-09-20 | The cost to activate a creature’s outlast ability includes the tap symbol (). A creature’s outlast ability can’t be activated unless that creature has been under your control continuously since the beginning of your turn. |