Narfi, Betrayer King MTG Card
2021-02-05 - Number 329
2021-02-05 - Number 224
2002-06-24 - Number 88376
2020-09-26 - Number KHM-224
2021-02-05 - Number 62
| Card sets | Released in 5 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Legendary Snow Creature — Zombie Wizard |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
Other snow and Zombie creatures you control get +1/+1. {S}{S}{S}: Return Narfi, Betrayer King from your graveyard to the battlefield tapped. ({S} can be paid with one mana from a snow source.)
Cards like Narfi, Betrayer King
Narfi, Betrayer King offers a unique twist to the snow archetype in Magic: The Gathering. This formidable creature bears a resemblance to other zombie lords, like Death Baron, in its ability to empower your undead forces. Where Narfi stands out is in its indomitable nature, being able to return from the graveyard to the battlefield with ease during any turn provided you control three snow mana.
Comparable snow creatures include Abominable Treefolk, which gains strength and toughness equal to the number of snow permanents you control, accentuating the theme’s versatility. Despite this, Abominable Treefolk lacks Narfi’s persistent presence on the board. Then there’s Icehide Troll, another snow creature that can benefit from a snow mana base to become indestructible. However, it does not offer the same leadership capabilities to your zombie legion.
While examining these cards side by side, Narfi’s alluring blend of resilience, leadership, and synergy with snow lands makes it a noteworthy choice for players crafting a snow-themed deck or commanding an army of the undead in Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Narfi, Betrayer King by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Narfi, Betrayer King gives continuous value from the graveyard, letting players cast it repeatedly for a sustained board presence and hand advantage.
Resource Acceleration: Thanks to Narfi’s ability to return from the graveyard using Snow mana, it synergizes well with decks focusing on Snow lands or permanents, essentially accelerating the use of those resources.
Instant Speed: Returning Narfi to the battlefield at instant speed means you can surprise opponents during their turn, keeping them guessing and potentially altering their combat or spell strategies.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: For your snow and zombie tribal decks, Narfi, Betrayer King demands a steep price. Returning this icy monarch from your graveyard to the battlefield necessitates that you exile three snow permanents. This cost might lead to a deficit in board presence or exhaust your graveyard resources, a tough choice when every card counts.
Specific Mana Cost: Summoning Narfi requires a careful mana balance. While the one generic mana cost is flexible, you’re locked into providing two blue and one black mana. This color specificity imposes a rigid structure on your mana base, which in multi-color decks may strain your ability to cast a diverse range of spells.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: At five total mana, Narfi, Betrayer King’s upfront investment is significant, and might not align with the pace of your game plan. Many decks could deploy faster threats or establish control earlier, which puts you at a disadvantage if you’re setting aside five mana for a creature that doesn’t have an immediate impact.
Reasons to Include Narfi, Betrayer King in Your Collection
Versatility: Narfi, Betrayer King offers flexibility for commanders and synergizes well with snow or zombie tribal decks. His ability to return from your graveyard provides persistent threat and board presence in long, drawn-out games.
Combo Potential: As a legendary zombie himself, Narfi boosts fellow undead minions, potentially setting the stage for high-impact combos in decks centered around zombie tribal themes. His recursion ensures combo pieces remain accessible throughout the match.
Meta-Relevance: Given the rise of graveyard strategies and synergistic zombie decks in various formats, Narfi can be a key component that capitalizes on these trends. With his ability to operate both as an enabler and a threat, he adds depth to a range of tactical line-ups.
How to beat
Narfi, Betrayer King, serves as a formidable force in the icy expanses of MTG’s Kaldheim realm. Its resilience lies in its ability to arise from the graveyard, making it a persistent threat. Tackling Narfi effectively requires a strategic approach that includes graveyard disruption. Cards like Tormod’s Crypt or Relic of Progenitus are vital in this confrontation, preventing Narfi’s reanimation by purging the graveyard.
Exile effects present another robust solution. By forcing Narfi out of the game completely with spells such as Path to Exile, one nullifies the king’s regal return. Board control is equally essential. Sweeper spells that clear the board while Narfi is in play can be opportune moments to keep him off the field since reviving him demands valuable mana, potentially derailing your opponent’s momentum.
It’s important to note that cards that can outpace Narfi in strength and offer cost-efficient trades or evasive abilities can also tip the scales. While Narfi buffs other snow and zombie creatures, presenting larger or more agile threats can overshadow his influence. By utilizing these strategies, players can undermine the frigid sovereignty of Narfi, Betrayer King, and maintain the upper hand.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Narfi, Betrayer King MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and The List, 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 Narfi, Betrayer King and other MTG cards:
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Printings
The Narfi, Betrayer King Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2021-02-05 and 2021-02-05. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 88376 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Christopher Lovell | ||
| 2 | The List | PLST | KHM-224 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Daarken | ||
| 3 | 2021-02-05 | Kaldheim | KHM | 329 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Christopher Lovell | |
| 4 | Kaldheim Art Series | AKHM | 62 | 2015 | Art series | Borderless | Daarken | ||
| 5 | 2021-02-05 | Kaldheim | KHM | 224 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Daarken |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Narfi, Betrayer King has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Narfi, Betrayer King card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2021-02-05 | Another snow Zombie creature you control will get only +1/+1 from Narfi’s first ability. |
| 2021-02-05 | Snow is a supertype, not a card type. It has no rules meaning or function by itself, but spells and abilities may refer to it. |
| 2021-02-05 | Snow isn’t a type of mana. If an effect says you may spend mana as though it were any type, you can’t pay for {S} using mana that wasn’t produced by a snow source. |
| 2021-02-05 | Some cards have additional effects for each {S} spent to cast them. You can cast these spells even if you don’t spend any snow mana to cast them; their additional effects simply won’t do anything. |
| 2021-02-05 | The Kaldheim set doesn’t have any cards with mana costs that include {S}, but some previous sets do. If an effect says such a spell costs less to cast, that reduction doesn’t apply to any {S} costs. This is also true for activated abilities that include {S} in their activation costs and effects that reduce those costs. |
| 2021-02-05 | The {S} symbol is a generic mana symbol. It represents a cost that can be paid by one mana that was produced by a snow source. That mana can be any color or colorless. |