Nafs Asp MTG Card
1993-12-17 - Number 52
1993-12-17 - Number 52†
1995-04-01 - Number 264
1995-04-01 - Number 264
1995-08-01 - Number 151
1995-08-01 - Number 132
| Card sets | Released in 6 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Snake |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
If Asp inflicts any damage on your opponent, your opponent must spend o1 before the draw phase of his or her next turn or lose an additional 1 life.
Cards like Nafs Asp
Nafs Asp has carved out its niche in the Magic: The Gathering creature lineup with its distinctive approach to combat and strategy. This serpentine creature comes from an earlier era of the game and is reminiscent of cards like Iron Star and Copperhorn Scout in the way it presents a nuanced battle tactic. Just as Copperhorn Scout grants untapping benefits post-combat, Nafs Asp showcases the potential repercussions for an opponent daring enough to block it.
Another serpent, Murk Dwellers, gives a nod to Nafs Asp’s subtle complexity by having power that spikes under certain conditions. Both enchant the battlefield with latent threats, promising more than their unassuming appearances suggest. However, Nafs Asp stands alone with its poisoning ability, a precursor to the powerful infect mechanics seen in cards like Plague Stinger that can quickly turn the tide of a match.
When pulling these threads together to consider Nafs Asp’s place in the roster of creatures who affect combat decisions, it becomes clear that this card, with its potential to impose incremental but inexorable damage through poison counters, provides a unique angle of attack that can influence an opponent’s tactics and potentially lead to victory.
Cards similar to Nafs Asp by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: When it comes to Magic the Gathering, having the right card at the right time can turn the tides of the game. The Nafs Asp provides an intriguing element in this regard, as it has the potential to discourage opponents from blocking it, which can lead to eventual card advantage as it remains a persistent threat on the board.
Resource Acceleration: While the Nafs Asp itself does not directly create resource acceleration, it subtly presents the threat of poison counters. This can force opponents to shift their resources or strategies, indirectly accelerating your own game plan as they deal with the potential long-term consequences of poison counters.
Instant Speed: The flexibility of instant speed interaction is not a direct feature of the Nafs Asp. However, being a low-cost creature, it allows a player to hold mana open for other spells and options, efficiently managing their resources while maintaining board presence.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: A crucial drawback of Nafs Asp lies in its activation cost. Players must discard a card to utilize its ability, which can be particularly taxing when hand size is critical to maintaining strategic leverage.
Specific Mana Cost: Nafs Asp demands a particular blend of mana to bring it into play, specifically one green mana. This specific requirement confines it to decks that can readily produce green mana, potentially limiting its broader application across various deck types.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a cost to play that may be deemed steep relative to its utility, Nafs Asp’s mana investment could be perceived as disproportionate. Alternative cards within the same mana range might offer a more substantial impact on the game, providing players with more compelling options for their deck construction.
Reasons to Include Nafs Asp in Your Collection
Versatility: Nafs Asp, with its low casting cost, serves as a flexible option for deck builders. It’s a utility player in many decks, particularly those focusing on efficient mana curves. Its ability to serve as an early blocker or an attacker pairs well with strategies that value creature presence on the board right from the start of the game.
Combo Potential: The life loss ability of Nafs Asp can be a strategic piece in combos aiming to drain opponents’ life totals incrementally. When paired with cards that can untap creatures or copy activated abilities, Nafs Asp’s potential is significantly amplified, making it a sneaky threat in prolonged games.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where small incremental advantages lead to victory, Nafs Asp carves a niche. It demands attention from opponents wary of life loss, possibly diverting resources that could have been used against more significant threats—thereby subtly tilting the game in your favor.
How to beat
Nafs Asp is a classic card from earlier Magic: The Gathering sets that offers a unique challenge on the battlefield. This artifact creature can be pesky for opponents, primarily due to its low cost and ability to inflict damage through poison counters. Protecting yourself against Nafs Asp requires strategic play, emphasizing the importance of removing it quickly from the board.
To effectively handle Nafs Asp, consider employing spells that can destroy or exile artifacts efficiently. Cards like Naturalize or Disenchant can disrupt your opponent’s strategies by eliminating Nafs Asp before it deals damage. Another approach is to utilize creatures with deathtouch to deter attacks, as your opponent will likely be hesitant to lose their creature in combat. Moreover, employing cards that can grant you hexproof temporarily, like Witchbane Orb, can also be a saving grace against any form of poison damage for a turn or two.
Ultimately, recognizing the potential threat of Nafs Asp and having a plan to mitigate it can ensure that this slithering artifact doesn’t compromise your health with its venomous ability. Quick removal and smart defense are key to outlasting its toxic presence in the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Nafs Asp MTG card by a specific set like Arabian Nights and Arabian Nights, 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 Nafs Asp and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
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Printings
The Nafs Asp Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 1993-12-17 and 1995-08-01. Illustrated by Christopher Rush.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1993-12-17 | Arabian Nights | ARN | 52 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Christopher Rush | |
| 2 | 1993-12-17 | Arabian Nights | ARN | 52† | 1993 | Normal | Black | Christopher Rush | |
| 3 | 1995-04-01 | Fourth Edition | 4ED | 264 | 1993 | Normal | White | Christopher Rush | |
| 4 | 1995-04-01 | Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border | 4BB | 264 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Christopher Rush | |
| 5 | 1995-08-01 | Renaissance | REN | 151 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Christopher Rush | |
| 6 | 1995-08-01 | Rinascimento | RIN | 132 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Christopher Rush |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Nafs Asp has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Oldschool | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Nafs Asp card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2004-10-04 | If it damages a player twice, they get to pay or take damage twice during their next draw step. |
| 2004-10-04 | If its damage gets redirected to its controller, it will still trigger the ability. |
| 2004-10-04 | The ability does not cause itself to trigger again. It cause loss of life, and not damage. |
| 2004-10-04 | The player can pay the mana at any time after damage is done before the draw step of that player’s turn. People commonly pay during upkeep. |