Narwhal MTG Card
1995-10-01 - Number 35
2008-09-22 - Number 57
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Whale |
| Abilities | First strike,Protection |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
First strike, protection from red
"Who needs a spear? Ya break off the horn, and ya stab the fish with it. Easy!" —Kakra, Sea Troll
Cards like Narwhal
The Narwhal card is an elusive and majestic creature within the Magic: The Gathering realm. With its unique protection from red, the Narwhal offers a distinct advantage similar to the classic creature Paladin en-Vec, which is also known for its protection from red and from black. However, in contrast, the Narwhal, being exclusive in its color resistance, allows for a niche defensive role within blue-focused decks.
Harking back to other protective cards, we consider Guardian of the Guildpact from the Dissension set, which has protection from monocolored. Although more versatile against a variety of single-color threats, the Guardian lacks the aquatic synergy that Narwhal might provide in ocean or Leviathan-themed decks. Furthermore, the Guardian uses up a valuable four mana compared to the svelte three mana for the Narwhal, potentially making Narwhal a more efficient creature choice in the early to mid-game.
When appraising the creatures of MTG designed with innate safeguards against specific colors, the Narwhal certainly carves out its own corner of the seascape. Its streamlined mana cost and focused protection ability often make it an astute inclusion for players seeking to stave off the flames of red decks.
Cards similar to Narwhal by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Narwhal card can offer a competitive edge by potentially allowing drawn cards whenever it deals combat damage to a player. This could keep your hand replenished, maintaining leverage over your opponent throughout the game.
Resource Acceleration: If the Narwhal card includes abilities to untap lands or artifacts, it can act as a form of resource acceleration. This ability would give players the chance to utilize their resources more efficiently and possibly cast more spells within a single turn.
Instant Speed: Should the Narwhal feature flash or grant the ability to be cast at instant speed, it would provide strategic flexibility. This characteristic means you could deploy it unexpectedly, disrupting your opponent’s strategy or bolstering your defenses at a moment’s notice.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Narwhal demands players to discard a card to activate certain abilities. This can deplete a player’s hand, making it a risky play when cards in hand are already scarce.
Specific Mana Cost: Narwhal typically requires a specific combination of mana types which might not seamlessly fit into multi-colored decks, possibly causing delays in play or limiting deck-building flexibility.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The mana investment needed for Narwhal’s summoning and abilities is significant when compared to other creatures of similar power. This can affect the pacing of gameplay, as allocating resources to summon Narwhal might hinder the development of the board in the early stages of the game.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: The Narwhal card serves as a unique addition to decks looking for a blend of defense and offense. With its inherent protection from red, it readily fits into strategies tailored to counter prevalent red-based attack decks.
Combo Potential: Its feature of being unblockable by red creatures offers strategic advantages, allowing players to develop combos that capitalize on unimpeded attacks, especially when paired with ways to buff or enhance its combat capabilities.
Meta-Relevance: In a playing environment where red decks are dominant, having Narwhal in your arsenal can provide a critical edge. Its ability to slip past common red threats and deal damage consistently makes it a worthy choice for anyone looking to stay competitive in such a meta.
How to beat
The Narwhal card is a unique creature spell that introduces an interesting dynamic to the battlefield. Its most notable characteristic is its protection from red, granting it a significant edge against one of the game’s major colors. This ability not only fends off red spells aimed to damage or control it but also provides a reliable blocker against red creatures.
To overcome a Narwhal, one must look beyond red-based strategies. Black spells that cause loss of life or require sacrifices are effective since they circumvent the Narwhal’s protective barrier. Green, brimming with hefty creatures, can overpower the Narwhal’s defenses through sheer force. Blue spells offer control elements such as counterspell or bounce effects, nullifying Narwhal’s protection. White has an array of enchantment-based removals like Pacifism that can neutralize Narwhal without triggering its protection.
In conclusion, while Narwhal stands strong against red-based tactics, a diverse strategy employing other colors’ strengths can ensure its advantage is short-lived. By adapting your game plan and utilizing the full spectrum of your deck’s capabilities, you can effectively counter the challenge posed by a Narwhal on the playing field.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Narwhal MTG card by a specific set like Homelands and Masters Edition II, 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 Narwhal 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Narwhal Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1995-10-01 and 2008-09-22. Illustrated by David A. Cherry.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1995-10-01 | Homelands | HML | 35 | 1993 | Normal | Black | David A. Cherry | |
| 2 | 2008-09-22 | Masters Edition II | ME2 | 57 | 1997 | Normal | Black | David A. Cherry |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Narwhal has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |