Nearheath Stalker MTG Card
2012-02-03 - Number 100
2002-06-24 - Number 43509
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Vampire Rogue |
| Abilities | Undying |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
Undying (When this creature dies, if it had no +1/+1 counters on it, return it to the battlefield under its owner's control with a +1/+1 counter on it.)
"Do not speak of this to the elders. They look unfavorably upon my indulgences."
Cards like Nearheath Stalker
The Nearheath Stalker is a unique combatant within the creature offerings in Magic: The Gathering. When examining cards with a similar role, Looming Shade comes to mind due to its ability to pump up its power at the cost of mana. However, Nearheath Stalker possesses the undying mechanic, allowing it to return to the battlefield upon death, which Looming Shade lacks, giving it an edge in sustainability.
Another creature who shares a kinship in strategy with Nearheath Stalker is Pitchburn Devils. Both creatures are excellent at providing value through combat and have secondary effects upon death. Yet, Pitchburn Devils provides direct damage to any target when it dies, differing from Nearheath Stalker’s resurrection ability. While the Stalker can come back from the graveyard, the Devils assure an immediate impact regardless of the board state.
Assessing creatures with recursive potential, Flayer of the Hatebound deserves mention. Though it requires greater mana investment, its damage-dealing ability upon entering from the graveyard synergizes well with the undying mechanic, much like Nearheath Stalker. While the Stalker favors a more defensive play due to its regeneration potential, Flayer commands a board presence with intimidating direct damage.
The comparison of Nearheath Stalker to other similar MTG cards reveals the strategic versatility it offers – combining moderate cost with the resilience granted by undying, setting it apart in its class.
Cards similar to Nearheath Stalker by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: One of Nearheath Stalker’s key benefits is its ability to potentially handle multiple threats. With its undying ability, it can return to the battlefield upon death, if it had no +1/+1 counters, creating an opportunity for card advantage by effectively providing you two creatures in one card.
Resource Acceleration: Nearheath Stalker doesn’t offer direct resource acceleration in the form of additional mana or treasure tokens. However, its impact on the board can potentially accelerate your game plan due to its resilient nature, asking for answers from your opponent and thus saving your other, possibly more integral, cards.
Instant Speed: While Nearheath Stalker is not an instant itself, its undying mechanic can be a surprise element in combat. This makes it a tricky adversary since it can come back from the graveyard instantly upon death, ready to block or apply pressure again, which forces your opponents to think twice before attacking or using removal spells.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Nearheath Stalker by design necessitates discarding a card to tap into its undying potential. This can result in a net loss of valuable hand contents, which could be detrimental during the critical stages of a game when maintaining a solid hand is key.
Specific Mana Cost: The casting cost of Nearheath Stalker involves a commitment to red mana, meaning it’s inherently restricted to decks that can produce this color. This can limit deck-building flexibility and may not fit into strategies that don’t support red mana efficiently.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The five mana required to summon Nearheath Stalker is considerable, especially given its single undying ability. For the same or less mana investment, players might access creatures with greater versatility or more impactful board presence, potentially making Nearheath Stalker a less attractive option in competitive play.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Nearheath Stalker is a flexible addition to decks that thrive on creature-based strategies. With its Undying ability, it returns to the battlefield after being destroyed, making it a persistent threat in longer games.
Combo Potential: This card pairs well with various strategies that utilize +1/+1 counters or benefit from creatures entering or leaving the battlefield. In the right combo, Nearheath Stalker can become an unexpected game-changer.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where creature removal is prevalent, Nearheath Stalker has the resilience to withstand initial removal attempts, maintaining board presence and pressure on your opponents.
How to beat
Nearheath Stalker is one of those creatures in Magic: The Gathering that can pose a particular challenge on the battlefield with its undying ability. This ability grants it resilience, allowing it to come back stronger after being destroyed. But tackling this card isn’t as daunting as it may seem. One effective strategy is by using exile effects. Cards that can exile such as Path to Exile or Swords to Plowshares bypass the undying mechanic completely, preventing the Stalker from returning to the field.
Another approach involves preventing it from dying in the first place. Cards like Pacifism or Arrest can neutralize the threat by restricting the Stalker’s ability to attack or block without triggering its undying. Additionally, countering this creature outright with spells like Cancel or Essence Scatter ensures it never hits the board, allowing you to maintain control of the game.
Utilizing these strategies ensures that you can maintain the upper hand when facing a Nearheath Stalker. Remember, it’s all about cold calculation and choosing the right moment to strike, using the best tool from your arsenal at the precise time to outmaneuver your opponent’s plays and keep the Stalker at bay.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Nearheath Stalker MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Dark Ascension, 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 Nearheath Stalker 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 Nearheath Stalker Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2012-02-03 and 2012-02-03. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 43509 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Steve Prescott | ||
| 2 | 2012-02-03 | Dark Ascension | DKA | 100 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Michael C. Hayes |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Nearheath Stalker has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |