Nettlecyst MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 7 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeArtifact — Equipment
Abilities Equip,Living weapon

Key Takeaways

  1. Nettlecyst generates card advantage by making artifacts and enchantments increase creature potency.
  2. Scaling ability of Nettlecyst allows for power growth without extra mana, challenging opponents over time.
  3. Living weapon ability grants immediate creature creation, enabling reactive gameplay strategies.

Text of card

Living weapon (When this Equipment enters the battlefield, create a 0/0 black Phyrexian Germ creature token, then attach this to it.) Equipped creature gets +1/+1 for each artifact and/or enchantment you control. Equip


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Nettlecyst continuously strengthens your hand by turning any creature into a serious threat. Attached to a creature, it effectively makes each artifact and enchantment you control count as an additional card by boosting power and toughness.

Resource Acceleration: Nettlecyst brings an aspect of scaling to the battlefield, allowing you to grow a creature’s power along with the number of artifacts and enchantments you play. This natural scaling can outpace opponents without the need for additional mana investment.

Instant Speed: While not an instant itself, Nettlecyst can be cast at a time that overlooks this limitation. It comes with a Living weapon ability, meaning it automatically creates a 0/0 creature token and attaches itself upon entering. This mechanic enables instant speed-like reactions, as you can cast it when it’s most advantageous—perhaps at the end of an opponent’s turn or in response to removal, giving an instant boost to your battlefield presence.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Nettlecyst card does not inherently require discarding as an additional cost, but in a synergy-focused deck that leverages artifacts, you might find yourself in a position where discarding becomes indirectly necessary to fuel certain strategies. Being mindful of this indirect requirement is important when integrating Nettlecyst into an artifact-heavy deck, as it can strain your available resources.

Specific Mana Cost: Nettlecyst’s specific mana cost of three, including one generic and two whites, may restrict its integration into multi-colored decks. As such, it can be a challenge to play for those looking to run an artifact-themed deck without a strong white mana base or an efficient mana-fixing mechanism.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although Nettlecyst offers a potentially powerful effect by providing a robust stat boost tied to the number of artifacts you control, its three mana investment is substantial. Certain decks may favor cheaper alternatives for equipping creatures, especially in fast-paced game environments where speed is crucial. Thus, Nettlecyst might be overlooked in favor of lower-cost equipment pieces that cater to more aggressive strategies.


Reasons to Include Nettlecyst in Your Collection

Versatility: Nettlecyst is a flexible card that can slot into numerous deck archetypes. It serves as both an equipment to power up creatures and an artifact that scales with the number of artifacts and enchantments you control. This adaptability makes it a strong addition to decks aiming to beef up creatures or needing a reliable, scaling threat.

Combo Potential: This card has synergy in artifact-centric strategies, combining well with cards that care about artifacts entering or being present on the battlefield. It can quickly become a game-ending threat in the right setup, or simply act as a value engine in slower-paced, control-based decks.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where artifacts and enchantments are prevalent, Nettlecyst shines by becoming a consistent source of power. Its ability to grow and become a more formidable piece on the board makes it relevant in various meta games, allowing players to adapt to a range of opponent strategies.


How to beat

Nettlecyst is a unique Aura within the diverse range of Magic: The Gathering cards, known for turning even the tiniest creature into a significant threat. This artifact equipment gives its wearer a power and toughness boost proportional to the number of artifacts and enchantments you control, which could quickly escalate in a game rich with those permanents.

Defeating a Nettlecyst-equipped creature demands strategic removal. Targeted removal spells like Abrupt Decay or Krosan Grip can handle the enchanted creature or Nettlecyst itself before the equipped creature becomes overwhelming. Additionally, spot removal isn’t your only recourse. Enchantment wipes such as Bane of Progress or Austere Command allow you to reset the board, stripping opponents of the additional power Nettlecyst provides.

Ultimately, the key lies in timing your removal correctly. By keeping pace with your opponent’s board development and choosing the right moment to disrupt their setup, you can mitigate the threat posed by Nettlecyst. Proper foresight and board management will usually give you the upper hand against players relying on Nettlecyst to carry them through the match.


BurnMana Recommendations

If you’re weighing the merits of adding Nettlecyst to your MTG collection, consider its potential to evolve any creature into a formidable opponent. Doing double duty as an equipment and a scaling artifact, it’s a must for decks that thrive on artifact and enchantment play. While it’s not without its cons—such as being more suited to mono-white or specialized mana bases—the benefits are significant for the right strategy. Additionally, its combo capabilities cannot be overlooked. For those eager to explore its synergies and optimize their gameplay, delve deeper into the strategies that make Nettlecyst a game-changer. Ready to enhance your arsenal? Join us to expand your knowledge and conquer the battlefield.


Cards like Nettlecyst

Nettlecyst brings a unique dynamic to the lineup of artifact equipment cards in Magic: The Gathering. It stands shoulder to shoulder with similar cards like Cranial Plating, which also bases its power and toughness buffs on the number of artifacts you control. Nettlecyst, however, edges ahead with its inherent living weapon attribute, giving players an immediate creature upon entering the battlefield. This is a trait Cranial Plating lacks, providing Nettlecyst with a swift advantage in creature-heavy strategies.

Looking at another comparable card, Bonesplitter offers a straightforward power increase without the scale-up potential of Nettlecyst. Bonesplitter shies away from complexity, delivering a flat power boost at a lower cost. This makes Nettlecyst a more versatile choice in artifact-rich decks. On the pricier side, there’s Behemoth Sledge, granting not only a power and toughness increase but also lifelink and trample. Nettlecyst doesn’t provide these additional abilities, but makes up for it with a leaner mana cost and the living weapon feature, allowing for a quicker board presence.

Across the spectrum of equipment cards, Nettlecyst offers an exceptional blend of aggressive power scaling and immediate value. This positions it as a compelling choice for players seeking to capitalize on decks with a high artifact count.

Cranial Plating - MTG Card versions
Bonesplitter - MTG Card versions
Behemoth Sledge - MTG Card versions
Cranial Plating - Fifth Dawn (5DN)
Bonesplitter - Arena League 2003 (PAL03)
Behemoth Sledge - Alara Reborn (ARB)

Cards similar to Nettlecyst by color, type and mana cost

Celestial Prism - MTG Card versions
Sunglasses of Urza - MTG Card versions
Ebony Horse - MTG Card versions
Runed Arch - MTG Card versions
Arena of the Ancients - MTG Card versions
Bösium Strip - MTG Card versions
Clay Pigeon - MTG Card versions
Ashnod's Altar - MTG Card versions
Jalum Tome - MTG Card versions
Static Orb - MTG Card versions
Patchwork Gnomes - MTG Card versions
The Stasis Coffin - MTG Card versions
Captain's Hook - MTG Card versions
Wall of Spears - MTG Card versions
Spellweaver Helix - MTG Card versions
Scale of Chiss-Goria - MTG Card versions
Lightning Coils - MTG Card versions
Vedalken Shackles - MTG Card versions
Semblance Anvil - MTG Card versions
Oblivion Stone - MTG Card versions
Celestial Prism - Unlimited Edition (2ED)
Sunglasses of Urza - Collectors' Edition (CED)
Ebony Horse - Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border (4BB)
Runed Arch - Ice Age (ICE)
Arena of the Ancients - Chronicles (CHR)
Bösium Strip - Weatherlight (WTH)
Clay Pigeon - Unglued (UGL)
Ashnod's Altar - The Brothers' War Retro Artifacts (BRR)
Jalum Tome - Dominaria Remastered (DMR)
Static Orb - Seventh Edition (7ED)
Patchwork Gnomes - Odyssey (ODY)
The Stasis Coffin - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Captain's Hook - Rivals of Ixalan Promos (PRIX)
Wall of Spears - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Spellweaver Helix - Mirrodin (MRD)
Scale of Chiss-Goria - Mirrodin (MRD)
Lightning Coils - Mirrodin (MRD)
Vedalken Shackles - Kaladesh Inventions (MPS)
Semblance Anvil - Scars of Mirrodin (SOM)
Oblivion Stone - Commander 2011 (CMD)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Nettlecyst MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Modern Horizons 2, 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 Nettlecyst and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Nettlecyst Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 2021-06-18 and 2024-02-09. Illustrated by Vincent Proce.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 913792015normalblackVincent Proce
22021-06-18Modern Horizons 2MH2 4712015normalblackVincent Proce
32021-06-18Modern Horizons 2MH2 2312015normalblackVincent Proce
42021-06-19Modern Horizons 2 PromosPMH2 231s2015normalblackVincent Proce
52021-08-26Jumpstart: Historic HorizonsJ21 7522015normalblackVincent Proce
62023-04-21March of the Machine CommanderMOC 3672015normalblackVincent Proce
72024-02-09Murders at Karlov Manor CommanderMKC 2332015normalblackVincent Proce

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Nettlecyst has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
CommanderLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
GladiatorLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2021-06-18 If a permanent you control is both an artifact and an enchantment, count it only once when determining the bonus from an equipped Nettlecyst.
2021-06-18 If the Phyrexian Germ token is destroyed, the Equipment remains on the battlefield as with any other Equipment.
2021-06-18 If the living weapon trigger causes two Phyrexian Germs to be created (due to an effect such as that of Doubling Season), the Equipment becomes attached to one of them. The other will be put into your graveyard and subsequently cease to exist, unless another effect raises its toughness above 0.
2021-06-18 Like other Equipment, each Equipment with living weapon has an equip cost. You can pay this cost to attach an Equipment to another creature you control. Once the Phyrexian Germ token is no longer equipped, it will be put into your graveyard and subsequently cease to exist, unless another effect raises its toughness above 0.
2021-06-18 The Phyrexian Germ token enters the battlefield as a 0/0 creature and the Equipment becomes attached to it before state-based actions would cause the token to die. Abilities that trigger as the token enters the battlefield see that a 0/0 creature entered the battlefield.
2021-06-18 The living weapon ability has been updated so that the triggered ability creates Phyrexian Germ tokens rather than Germ tokens. This update applies to all cards with living weapon.

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