Narcomoeba MTG Card
2007-05-04 - Number 54
2013-06-07 - Number 55
2018-10-05 - Number 47
2018-10-05 - Number 47s
2024-01-12 - Number 451
| Card sets | Released in 5 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Illusion |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
Flying When Narcomoeba is put into your graveyard from your library, you may put it into play.
It was created by the Iquati as a living memory—one that objects to being forgotten.
Cards like Narcomoeba
Narcomoeba finds its niche in Magic: The Gathering as part of a select group of creature cards that revolve around graveyard play. Resembling its functionality, cards like Bloodghast harness the power of the graveyard, returning to the battlefield under certain conditions. Unlike Narcomoeba, which returns to the battlefield when milled or discarded, Bloodghast requires a land to be played, offering more predictable recursion yet demanding more strategic land drops from the player.
Another similar contender is Prized Amalgam. This creature card complements graveyard-based strategies much like Narcomoeba, beckoning from the graveyard whenever another creature is returned from graveyard to the battlefield. It doesn’t share Narcomoeba’s instant return since it comes back only at the beginning of the next end step, making its timing less immediate but equally inevitable.
Examining the specific traits of these cards reveals how Narcomoeba represents a unique tool in decks that use self-mill or dredge mechanics to achieve victory. Its surprise appearance from the graveyard can become a strategic advantage, seamlessly integrating with decks that capitalize on creatures entering the battlefield from unexpected places.
Cards similar to Narcomoeba by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Narcomoeba. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Cephalid Breakfast | Legacy | Cephalid Breakfast | Legacy Challenge 32 2024-04-20 |
 | Oops! All Spells | Legacy | Oops! All Spells | Legacy Showcase Challenge 2024-04-21 |
 | Dredge | Vintage | Dredge | Vintage Challenge 32 2024-04-20 |
 | Crab Vine | Modern | Crab Vine | Modern Preliminary 2024-04-21 |
| WUBG | Legacy | Legacy Challenge 32 2024-04-20 (1) |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Narcomoeba holds the unique ability to put itself onto the battlefield from your graveyard upon being revealed while milling or dredging. This offers a distinct advantage as it effectively adds a creature to your hand for no additional cost.
Resource Acceleration: As a free creature, Narcomoeba enables decks to accelerate their board presence without spending mana. This synergizes with other cards that capitalize on the number of creatures you control or require sacrifices, effectively acting as a no-cost resource.
Instant Speed: Narcomoeba’s ability triggers instantly when the right condition is met, making it a surprise blocker or an unexpected component for combo enablers. Its instant presence can pivot the flow of a match, particularly when your graveyard is systematically utilized as a resource.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One limitation of Narcomoeba is that its ability to return to the battlefield from the graveyard is conditional. The card must be milled or discarded, which might not align with your strategy if you’re not running a graveyard-centric deck. This requirement adds an element of unpredictability and reliance on other cards to trigger its effect.
Specific Mana Cost: Despite its potential for a cost-free play from the graveyard, Narcomoeba does have a specific mana cost that requires both blue and colorless mana. This restricts the card largely to blue-inclusive decks and may not fit smoothly into multi-color deck strategies without adequate mana-fixing.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of {1}{U} (one generic and one blue mana) for a 1/1 creature, Narcomoeba may seem costly when compared to other creatures that offer more power or additional abilities for the same or less mana investment. In scenarios where graveyard interaction is minimal or non-existent, its mana efficiency is questionable.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Narcomoeba’s real strength lies in its ability to spring into action from your graveyard without any cost, making it a versatile inclusion in decks focusing on graveyard mechanics or those wanting unexpected blockers.
Combo Potential: This card shines when combined with effects that mill or put cards into your graveyard, like “Dredge” strategies, allowing for potential free creatures to be summoned during the milling process.
Meta-Relevance: In formats like Modern, where graveyard synergy plays an important role, Narcomoeba fits right in. Its presence can influence the battlefield without expending resources from your hand, giving decks an edge in the constantly evolving meta.
How to beat Narcomoeba
Narcomoeba is a unique card that floats into play from your graveyard, giving players a free creature during the milling process. It’s not just about countering it as it hits the board, but proactively managing your opponent’s graveyard. Playing cards that exile or shuffle graveyards back into the library can neutralize the advantage Narcomoeba provides. Tormod’s Crypt and Relic of Progenitus are examples of efficient graveyard management artifacts. With these on the field, you ensure Narcomoeba’s trigger finds no footing.
Effective graveyard strategies go hand in hand with constant pressure. By attacking your opponent’s resources and maintaining board presence, you can make Narcomoeba feel less impactful. Leyline of the Void is another solid piece, setting a zero-tolerance policy on cards hitting the graveyard from anywhere. This turns Narcomoeba into just another card in the deck, unable to capitalize on its unique ability. Lastly, instant speed removal like Fatal Push or Path to Exile allows you to respond immediately if Narcomoeba does manage to slip into play, so you can keep their board presence minimal and maintain control of the game.
By incorporating these strategies, you create an environment where Narcomoeba is just a minor nuisance rather than a game-changing threat, allowing for more effective control of the match’s pace and flow.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Narcomoeba MTG card by a specific set like Future Sight and Modern Masters, 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 Narcomoeba 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
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Printings
The Narcomoeba Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2007-05-04 and 2024-01-12. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2007-05-04 | Future Sight | FUT | 54 | future | Normal | Black | Matt Stewart | |
| 2 | 2013-06-07 | Modern Masters | MMA | 55 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Matt Stewart | |
| 3 | 2018-10-05 | Guilds of Ravnica | GRN | 47 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Howard Lyon | |
| 4 | 2018-10-05 | Guilds of Ravnica Promos | PGRN | 47s | 2015 | Normal | Black | Howard Lyon | |
| 5 | 2024-01-12 | Ravnica Remastered | RVR | 451 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Howard Lyon |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Narcomoeba has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Narcomoeba card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2007-05-01 | If Narcomoeba is removed from your graveyard before its ability resolves, it won’t be put onto the battlefield. |
| 2007-05-01 | If Narcomoeba is revealed or looked at while moving from your library to your graveyard (such as with Mind Funeral), its ability will trigger when it’s put into your graveyard. It was still in your library while it was revealed or being looked at. |