Priests of Norn MTG Card

Priests of Norn - Mirrodin Besieged (MBS)

Mirrodin Besieged (MBS)
2011-02-04 - Number 16

The List (PLST)
2020-09-26 - Number MBS-16

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Phyrexian Cleric
Abilities	Infect, Vigilance
Power	1
Toughness	4

Key Takeaways

Vigilance and infect make Priests of Norn a constant board presence, demanding an answer from opponents.
Its synergy with proliferate strategies enhances its value in specific decks focused on poison counters.
While not the fastest, its steady influence on the game can be crucial in long-term strategies.

Guide to Vigilance card ability

In the strategic universe of Magic: The Gathering (MTG), the vigilance ability stands out as a powerful tool for players. This potent keyword allows creatures to attack without tapping, keeping them ready and alert to defend against incoming threats. It represents a perfect balance between aggression and defense, offering a dynamic approach to gameplay. Lets dive deeper into how vigilance shapes the battlefield.

Text of card

Vigilance Infect (This creature deals damage to creatures in the form of -1/-1 counters and to players in the form of poison counters.)

"May our blessings sever the tongues of the forsaken." —Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Priests of Norn can become a substantial contributor to a strategy focused on creature-based card advantage. When partnered with proliferate mechanics or when it battles against multiple 1-toughness creatures, it can effectively control the board and act as a sturdy defender all while consistently chipping away at the opponent’s life total.

Resource Acceleration: Though it may not directly offer traditional mana acceleration, Priests of Norn is pivotal in decks where life totals double as a resource. The incremental life loss it facilitates can expedite victory against your opponent or synergize with various life-total based strategies felt in each stage of the game.

Instant Speed: Priests of Norn itself may not operate at instant speed, but it thrives in a meta where instant speed removals are prevalent. Its vigilance allows it to remain a constant threat while defending, never leaving you vulnerable after an attack and hence increasing your resilience against fast-paced, instant-speed oriented decks.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Priests of Norn necessitate a specific field presence to leverage their full potential. Without other infect or proliferate mechanics in play, you might find this card less impactful.

Specific Mana Cost: A strict mana requirement can make the Priests of Norn tricky to deploy in a timely fashion. Their white mana cost means they’re limited to decks that can reliably produce that color.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Considering the competitive landscape of three-mana creatures, the Priests of Norn may come up short. Their abilities must be evaluated against other options in the same mana range to determine their efficiency and role within your strategy.

Reasons to Include Priests of Norn in Your Collection

Versatility: Priests of Norn is an intriguing choice for various deck strategies, particularly those structured around proliferate mechanics or requiring defensive creatures. The fact that it comes with vigilance ensures it’s always ready to block or press for damage.

Combo Potential: With infect as its key feature, Priests of Norn combines well with cards designed to enhance or multiply -1/-1 counters, potentially winning the game through poison counters without having to deplete an opponent’s life total.

Meta-Relevance: In a game setting where infect strategies are prominent or where longer games give incremental advantages, the consistent pressure applied by Priests of Norn can be a game-changer, often shifting the dynamics of board control in your favor.

How to Beat Priests of Norn

Priests of Norn stands out as a fascinating creature card with infect capabilities in MTG. It can pose a serious threat if left unchecked, especially when considering its ability to deliver poison counters instead of dealing regular damage. To effectively counter this card, it’s essential to focus on removal spells that can bypass its modest toughness or employ creatures with enough power to overcome its 1/4 stats.

Cards with flying or reach are particularly effective, as Priests of Norn itself doesn’t naturally have evasion abilities. This allows for a strong defensive strategy that keeps it from attacking and accumulating those dreaded poison counters. Another sound strategy is to take advantage of its low power; since it only has one attack point, creatures with lifelink or the ability to grow stronger when blocking can nullify the threat it poses. Ultimately, containing Priests of Norn is about managing the battlefield and maintaining control through strategic plays and well-chosen cards.

Remember, when facing any infect creature in MTG, time is of the essence. Safely disposing of them swiftly could be the difference between victory and succumbing to the insidious spread of poison counters.

Cards like Priests of Norn

The Priests of Norn is an intriguing creature card that finds parallels with other infect creatures in Magic: The Gathering. This Phyrexian card echoes the functionality of cards like Plague Myr, which shares the infect ability, enabling it to deal damage to creatures in the form of -1/-1 counters and to players in the form of poison counters. However, Plague Myr also doubles as a mana dork, offering ramp potential which Priests of Norn does not.

Looking to another relative, the Ichorclaw Myr offers a build around potential for a more aggressive strategy. It becomes larger when blocked, demanding an immediate answer from your opponent or otherwise posing a significant and escalating threat. While Priests of Norn doesn’t carry that inherent threat, it compensates with a higher toughness, providing more staying power.

Ultimately, when examining creature cards with infect as an axis of comparison, Priests of Norn offers a durable blocker with potential for slow but consistent pressure in your MTG gameplay, especially in formats where its vigilance and infect abilities can be maximized against creature-based strategies. It stands as a decent defensive option with a unique twist on infect combat.

Cards similar to Priests of Norn by color, type and mana cost

Pianna, Nomad Captain - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Priests of Norn MTG card by a specific set like Mirrodin Besieged and The List, 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 Priests of Norn and other MTG cards: