Nacatl Savage MTG Card


Offers card advantage by potentially outmatching opponents’ creatures and forcing detrimental blocks. Can accelerate your board state with early deployment, aiding in aggressive play strategies. Limited by specific mana needs and potentially high casting cost relative to its power level.
Nacatl Savage - Conflux
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Cat Warrior
Abilities Protection
Released2009-02-06
Set symbol
Set nameConflux
Set codeCON
Power 2
Toughness 1
Number86
Frame2003
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byPaolo Parente

Text of card

Protection from artifacts

"Blades dull and armor dents. Marisi taught us that instinct is the only thing a true warrior needs." —Ajani


Cards like Nacatl Savage

Nacatl Savage is an intriguing combatant in the lineup of one-drop creatures in Magic: The Gathering. It stands shoulder to shoulder with other aggressive one-mana creatures like Wild Nacatl, sharing the same race and ferocity. However, while Wild Nacatl has the potential to scale in power with the presence of Plains or Mountains, Nacatl Savage remains a consistent force without the need for land-type conditions.

Comparatively, there’s Kird Ape, another creature that gains strength with a Mountain on the field. Nacatl Savage, on the other hand, offers straightforward aggressive play without such dependencies, favoring decks that might not focus on land type synergy. Similarly, Loam Lion is a contender, reactive to Forests or Plains, yet Nacatl Savage provides a stable alternative for those looking to avoid the land type game entirely.

Assessing these cards side by side, Nacatl Savage may attract players who value consistency and early board presence. Its unconditional approach to combat and the ease of incorporation into various aggressive deck builds makes it a reliable, although less dynamic, choice among one-drop creatures.

Wild Nacatl - MTG Card versions
Kird Ape - MTG Card versions
Loam Lion - MTG Card versions
Wild Nacatl - MTG Card versions
Kird Ape - MTG Card versions
Loam Lion - MTG Card versions

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River Boa - MTG Card versions
Eladamri, Lord of Leaves - MTG Card versions
Albino Troll - MTG Card versions
Silverglade Pathfinder - MTG Card versions
Priest of Titania - MTG Card versions
Quirion Elves - MTG Card versions
Blurred Mongoose - MTG Card versions
Llanowar Loamspeaker - MTG Card versions
Genesis Hydra - MTG Card versions
Jolrael, Mwonvuli Recluse - MTG Card versions
Scavenging Ooze - MTG Card versions
Heir of the Wilds - MTG Card versions
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Card Pros

Card Advantage: With Nacatl Savage, players get a formidable creature that can significantly influence the battlefield presence. This card can often trade with multiple opponent’s cards or force unfavorable blocks, effectively leading to a card advantage for the player.

Resource Acceleration: As a low-cost creature, Nacatl Savage can be played early, propelling your board state quickly. This quick deployment can be advantageous for strategies that look to outpace the opponent through early resource acceleration.

Instant Speed: While Nacatl Savage itself is not an instant, it benefits decks that operate at instant speed. It can exert pressure on the opponent, forcing them to allocate resources or removal spells at sorcery speed, thus keeping the way clear for your own instant-speed interactions during their turn.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Nacatl Savage’s effectiveness in play may be hindered due to a discard condition, which can set you back if your hand is already running low or if the discarded card is valuable for your overall strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: To cast Nacatl Savage, you need the right mana combination, which can be restrictive. This can potentially limit deck-building options, as it requires a dedicated mana base to consistently play the card on curve.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that might be on the higher side for its abilities and stats, there are instances where Nacatl Savage may not provide the power level needed when compared to other creatures available at a similar cost, particularly in formats where mana efficiency is key.


Reasons to Include Nacatl Savage in Your Collection

Versatility: Nacatl Savage is a card that complements a variety of deck archetypes, particularly those prioritizing aggressive starts. Its creature type fits seamlessly into tribal strategies, making it a flexible choice for both casual and competitive play.

Combo Potential: With its robust stat line for its cost, this card works well with combat tricks and synergies that revolve around boosting creature performance, setting the stage for explosive turns.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where creature-based strategies are prevalent, Nacatl Savage holds its ground as a cost-effective creature that can exert early pressure and contend with other staple low-drop creatures in the meta.


How to beat

Nacatl Savage, while a formidable presence on the battlefield, has specific counters and strategies that can be employed to defeat it in MTG. If you’re facing this card, control strategies can prove to be particularly effective. It’s essential to manage the board by removing creatures as they come into play. Spells that can destroy or exile creatures, like Fatal Push or Path to Exile, would work well to dispatch a Nacatl Savage quickly. It is also beneficial to prevent the Savage from bolstering its power and toughness through pump spells or anthems. Strategies that diminish the opponent’s creature’s abilities or prevent combat can ensure that Nacatl Savage never gets a chance to unleash its potential.

Moreover, cards that change the rules of combat such as Ensnaring Bridge or Ghostly Prison can render Nacatl Savage’s aggression futile. Utilizing these cards can block or hinder creatures with higher power, which is precisely where Nacatl Savage becomes potent. Keeping creatures like Nacatl Savage in check is a delicate balance, but with the right spells and tactics, this threat can be neutralized effectively within a game.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Nacatl Savage MTG card by a specific set like Conflux, 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 Nacatl Savage and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Nacatl Savage has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2009-02-01 “Protection from artifacts” means the following: -- Nacatl Savage can't be blocked by artifact creatures. -- Nacatl Savage can't be equipped. It also can't be enchanted by Auras that have somehow become artifacts in addition to enchantments. -- Nacatl Savage can't be targeted by abilities from artifact sources. -- All damage that would be dealt to Nacatl Savage by artifact sources is prevented.