Nimble-Blade Khenra MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Jackal Warrior
Abilities Prowess
Power 1
Toughness 3

Key Takeaways

  1. Offers late-game value and aggression through its eternalize and prowess abilities, especially in spell-heavy decks.
  2. Can be a double-edged sword, restricting mana flexibility and facing tough competition from similar cards.
  3. Strategic removal and board control are essential to countering Nimble-Blade Khenra’s escalating threats.

Text of card

Prowess (Whenever you cast a noncreature spell, this creature gets +1/+1 until end of turn.)

"In the Hour of Glory, the gods and the untested will prove their worth before the God-Pharaoh." —*The Accounting of Hours*


Card Pros

Card Advantage: By providing you with an affordable creature card that can become a potent late-game threat, Nimble-Blade Khenra ensures that you’re maximizing your card utility. Though it doesn’t directly draw cards, the potential to eternalize this card gives you a second opportunity to reap the benefits from a single card investment.

Resource Acceleration: Nimble-Blade Khenra is a low-cost creature that can be played early in the game, paving the way for quicker plays and aggressive strategies. Its eternalize feature works as a sort of ‘resource acceleration,’ giving you access to a significantly stronger creature later on without needing a separate card.

Instant Speed: While Nimble-Blade Khenra itself isn’t an instant, its prowess ability takes full advantage of any instant-speed spells you cast. This synergy allows the creature to temporarily buff itself during combat or in response to an opponent’s actions, contributing to a dynamic and adaptive play style.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Nimble-Blade Khenra does not make you discard cards, but if you’re evaluating it among other options, be aware that some cards in this class might.

Specific Mana Cost: Nimble-Blade Khenra requires one red mana which makes it less flexible for multicolored decks focusing on a different primary color.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although its mana cost isn’t extremely high, there may be alternatives that provide greater power or versatility for the same or less investment.


Reasons to Include Nimble-Blade Khenra in Your Collection

Versatility: Nimble-Blade Khenra is a flexible addition to a variety of decks, offering a solid creature for aggressive strategies with its prowess ability, enhancing its power whenever you cast a noncreature spell.

Combo Potential: Its prowess ability scales each time you cast an instant or sorcery, making it a key piece in combos that look to cast multiple spells in a single turn. It pairs well with cheap spells, maximizing the damage output in one explosive play.

Meta-Relevance: In a metagame where speed and efficiency are crucial, Nimble-Blade Khenra can be a cost-effective creature that grows in threat level with each spell, pressuring opponents fast and early in the game.


How to beat

Nimble-Blade Khenra is an agile creature card that can challenge players with its prowess ability, which boosts its power each time you cast a noncreature spell. To counter this swift creature, consider using removal spells that can target Nimble-Blade Khenra before its prowess ability triggers. Cards like Fatal Push or Shock offer quick and cost-effective solutions to eliminate it from the battlefield. Additionally, since it’s a creature with only two toughness, it remains vulnerable to various board wipes such as Sweltering Suns or Cry of the Carnarium which can clear multiple creatures, including the Khenra, at once.

An alternative strategy is to outpace the card by focusing on your own creature development, rendering it less of a threat by overshadowing it with stronger or more valuable creatures. Moreover, preventing it from attacking through controlling tactics like Pacifism or various counterspells could hinder your opponent’s strategy long enough for you to gain the upper hand. In summary, while Nimble-Blade Khenra can pose a threat with its prowess ability, there are multiple ways to effectively neutralize and surpass the challenges it presents in your quest for victory.


Cards like Nimble-Blade Khenra

Nimble-Blade Khenra is a card that stands out in the landscape of creature spells in MTG, providing an interesting dynamic in gameplay. It can be likened to other creatures like Sanguinary Mage which also has prowess, increasing its power whenever a noncreature spell is cast. However, the Nimble-Blade Khenra offers a higher base attack right from the start.

Another card that parallels with Nimble-Blade Khenra is Spellweaver Eternal. This card shares the prowess ability but diverges with afflict, potentially causing the opponent to lose life even when not taking combat damage. The difference is subtle yet significant in decks that prioritize aggressive strategies. Furthermore, Ghitu Lavarunner can be taken into account, a card that transforms into a more powerful attacker under certain conditions. Although it doesn’t possess prowess, it potentially becomes a more consistent threat.

When we analyze these creatures side by side, we can see that Nimble-Blade Khenra offers a blend of aggression and utility that is unique in its own right. Its ability to scale with spell casting and deliver immediate impact makes it a noteworthy addition to various MTG decks looking to capitalize on casting spells.

Sanguinary Mage - MTG Card versions
Spellweaver Eternal - MTG Card versions
Ghitu Lavarunner - MTG Card versions
Sanguinary Mage - Shadows over Innistrad (SOI)
Spellweaver Eternal - Hour of Devastation (HOU)
Ghitu Lavarunner - Dominaria (DOM)

Cards similar to Nimble-Blade Khenra by color, type and mana cost

Rock Hydra - MTG Card versions
Ironclaw Orcs - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Weaponsmith - MTG Card versions
Goblin Rock Sled - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Lieutenant - MTG Card versions
Goblin Recruiter - MTG Card versions
Heart Sliver - MTG Card versions
Mogg Flunkies - MTG Card versions
Goblin Elite Infantry - MTG Card versions
Fireslinger - MTG Card versions
Skittish Kavu - MTG Card versions
Rage Weaver - MTG Card versions
Minotaur Explorer - MTG Card versions
Sparksmith - MTG Card versions
Goblin Lookout - MTG Card versions
Skirk Marauder - MTG Card versions
Goblin Raider - MTG Card versions
Hellspark Elemental - MTG Card versions
Storm Entity - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Soldier - MTG Card versions
Rock Hydra - Intl. Collectors' Edition (CEI)
Ironclaw Orcs - Introductory Two-Player Set (ITP)
Dwarven Weaponsmith - Foreign Black Border (FBB)
Goblin Rock Sled - The Dark (DRK)
Dwarven Lieutenant - Fallen Empires (FEM)
Goblin Recruiter - Visions (VIS)
Heart Sliver - Tempest (TMP)
Mogg Flunkies - Stronghold (STH)
Goblin Elite Infantry - Classic Sixth Edition (6ED)
Fireslinger - Duel Decks Anthology: Jace vs. Chandra (JVC)
Skittish Kavu - Invasion (INV)
Rage Weaver - Invasion (INV)
Minotaur Explorer - Odyssey (ODY)
Sparksmith - Onslaught (ONS)
Goblin Lookout - Legions (LGN)
Skirk Marauder - Legions (LGN)
Goblin Raider - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Hellspark Elemental - DCI Promos (PDCI)
Storm Entity - Future Sight (FUT)
Dwarven Soldier - Masters Edition (ME1)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Nimble-Blade Khenra MTG card by a specific set like Amonkhet and Mystery Booster, 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 Nimble-Blade Khenra and other MTG cards:

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See Magic products

Printings

The Nimble-Blade Khenra Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2017-04-28 and 2020-08-13. Illustrated by Tomasz Jedruszek.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12017-04-28AmonkhetAKH 1452015normalblackTomasz Jedruszek
22019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 10192015normalblackTomasz Jedruszek
32020-08-13Amonkhet RemasteredAKR 1682015normalblackTomasz Jedruszek
42020-09-26The ListPLST AKH-1452015normalblackTomasz Jedruszek

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Nimble-Blade Khenra has restrictions

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

Recent MTG decks

Continue exploring other format decks
More decks