Nebelgast Herald MTG Card


Its ability to tap creatures plays a strategic role in board control and tempo maintenance. Flash enables surprise battlefield entry, crucial in various offensive and defensive scenarios. The Herald’s utility in spirit decks makes it a noteworthy card for tempo-based strategies.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Spirit
Abilities Flying, Flash
Power 2
Toughness 1

Text of card

Flash (You may cast this spell any time you could cast an instant.) Flying Whenever Nebelgast Herald or another Spirit enters the battlefield under your control, tap target creature an opponent controls.


Cards like Nebelgast Herald

Nebelgast Herald is an intriguing creature option for spirit tribal decks in the world of Magic: The Gathering. It shares its space with cards like Spell Queller, which also offers utility for spirit decks. While Spell Queller can disrupt opponents by exiling spells, Nebelgast Herald excels in repeatedly tapping potential threats. Another frolic involved spirit companion is Rattlechains. This creature provides flash to your spirit spells and gives a protective hexproof. However, it does not offer the same continuous control over the board as Nebelgast Herald does with its tap ability.

Dive deeper into the pool of disruptive creatures, and you may encounter Spectral Sailor. While the Sailor helps draw cards, it lacks the board-impacting presence of Nebelgast Herald. Furthermore, there’s Mausoleum Wanderer, which disrupts enemy spells and scales with your spirit count, yet it doesn’t provide the active board control that came with each attack from the Herald. Each of these spirits serves a varied role, but the Herald’s unique blend of evasiveness, board control, and synergy makes it a quintessential piece in spirit-based strategies.

Analyzing the suite of similar spectral comrades, Nebelgast Herald certainly maintains a unique position by offering consistent, offensive control in MTG matches where tempo and creature management can tip the scales to victory.

Spell Queller - MTG Card versions
Rattlechains - MTG Card versions
Spectral Sailor - MTG Card versions
Mausoleum Wanderer - MTG Card versions
Spell Queller - MTG Card versions
Rattlechains - MTG Card versions
Spectral Sailor - MTG Card versions
Mausoleum Wanderer - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Nebelgast Herald by color, type and mana cost

Wall of Water - MTG Card versions
Prodigal Sorcerer - MTG Card versions
Apprentice Wizard - MTG Card versions
Homarid - MTG Card versions
Daring Apprentice - MTG Card versions
Time Elemental - MTG Card versions
Rootwater Shaman - MTG Card versions
Wind Drake - MTG Card versions
Volrath's Shapeshifter - MTG Card versions
Stronghold Biologist - MTG Card versions
Quicksilver Wall - MTG Card versions
Wall of Air - MTG Card versions
Phantom Warrior - MTG Card versions
Wormfang Drake - MTG Card versions
Animating Faerie // Bring to Life - MTG Card versions
Ghost of Ramirez DePietro - MTG Card versions
Grazilaxx, Illithid Scholar - MTG Card versions
Queen of Ice // Rage of Winter - MTG Card versions
Svyelun of Sea and Sky - MTG Card versions
Cephalid Pathmage - MTG Card versions
Wall of Water - MTG Card versions
Prodigal Sorcerer - MTG Card versions
Apprentice Wizard - MTG Card versions
Homarid - MTG Card versions
Daring Apprentice - MTG Card versions
Time Elemental - MTG Card versions
Rootwater Shaman - MTG Card versions
Wind Drake - MTG Card versions
Volrath's Shapeshifter - MTG Card versions
Stronghold Biologist - MTG Card versions
Quicksilver Wall - MTG Card versions
Wall of Air - MTG Card versions
Phantom Warrior - MTG Card versions
Wormfang Drake - MTG Card versions
Animating Faerie // Bring to Life - MTG Card versions
Ghost of Ramirez DePietro - MTG Card versions
Grazilaxx, Illithid Scholar - MTG Card versions
Queen of Ice // Rage of Winter - MTG Card versions
Svyelun of Sea and Sky - MTG Card versions
Cephalid Pathmage - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Nebelgast Herald. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Azorius TempoAzorius Tempo GladiatorGladiator Proving Grounds: Week 09 2024
Mono-Blue SpiritsMono-Blue Spirits ExplorerJaffer's Mini Mosh - Explorer
Bant SpiritsBant Spirits PioneerBant SpiritsPioneer League 2023-11-23

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Nebelgast Herald offers strategic board control by consistently tapping opposing creatures. This can disrupt your opponent’s plans and effectively turns each of your Spirits played into a potential source of card advantage without using additional cards from your hand.

Resource Acceleration: While the Herald does not directly offer mana acceleration, it contributes to resource acceleration by allowing you to maintain tempo and efficiency. Every Spirit summoned can trigger its ability, potentially saving mana you might have spent on removal or other control measures.

Instant Speed: The flash ability of Nebelgast Herald enables surprise interactions, allowing you to play it at instant speed. This can be incredibly impactful in both offensive and defensive scenarios, permitting you to wait until the most opportune moment to introduce the Herald to the battlefield and utilize its creature-tapping ability.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Players must remember that Nebelgast Herald does not have a built-in discard mechanism, meaning its value might dwindle if your strategy leans heavily on card retention.

Specific Mana Cost: Requiring two blue mana symbols, Nebelgast Herald demands a dedicated mana base, potentially causing color-fixing issues in multicolored decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana for a 2/1 flyer, there are more cost-effective creatures available that might provide better board presence or utility in the early game.


Reasons to Include Nebelgast Herald in Your Collection

Versatility: Nebelgast Herald offers a unique mix of disruption and flying aggression. It can serve as an excellent addition to spirit tribal decks or any blue-based tempo strategy.

Combo Potential: With its ability to tap opposing creatures whenever another spirit enters the battlefield, it can set up and complement various lockout combinations, maximizing control over the board.

Meta-Relevance: In environments saturated with aggressive creature decks, Nebelgast Herald’s tapping ability can significantly hinder opponents’ offense, potentially swinging games in your favor.


How to beat Nebelgast Herald

Nebelgast Herald has emerged as a key player in spirit decks within the Magic: The Gathering landscape. Its ability to tap creatures upon the entry of other spirits makes it a nimble obstacle for opponents. To navigate against this pesky flyer, strategy is key. Efficient removal spells like Fatal Push or Shock can eradicate the Herald before its ability triggers multiple times, ensuring your creatures remain free to attack or block as needed.

Another tactical approach involves the usage of instant-speed spells that can be cast after the Herald’s ability is on the stack but before it resolves. This ensures you can still secure your plays without interruption. Versatile options like Fry, which specifically targets white and blue creatures, can effortlessly handle the Herald’s evasion abilities. Board wipes also provide a clean solution, resetting the playing field regardless of the spirits’ disruptive antics.

Ultimately, Nebelgast Herald’s impact is contingent on a populated board of spirits. Thwart this by keeping their numbers in check or deploying your own threats at a pace that outstrips their capacity to establish a formidable presence. By understanding its strengths and preemptively countering those, you enhance your odds at maintaining control of the game.


BurnMana Recommendations

Diving into the depths of MTG strategy with Nebelgast Herald can take your gameplay to new heights. This Spirit synergizes beautifully with a variety of decks, bolstering defense through its creature-tapping finesse. Every move matters in MTG, and integrating the Herald into your collection can offer that delicate balance between control and impact, ensuring opponent creatures stay locked down. If leveraging instant speed disruption is your playstyle, you’ve found a valuable ally. Enhance your knowledge and your deck’s performance; learn how to maximize the potential of Nebelgast Herald for those meta-defining moments. Join us to uncover more secrets of MTG mastery.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Nebelgast Herald MTG card by a specific set like Eldritch Moon and Jumpstart, 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 Nebelgast Herald and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Nebelgast Herald Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2016-07-22 and 2023-03-21. Illustrated by Zezhou Chen.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12016-07-22Eldritch MoonEMN 712015NormalBlackZezhou Chen
22020-07-17JumpstartJMP 1602015NormalBlackZezhou Chen
32021-11-19Crimson Vow CommanderVOC 1092015NormalBlackZezhou Chen
42023-03-21Shadows over Innistrad RemasteredSIR 832015NormalBlackZezhou Chen

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Nebelgast Herald has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Nebelgast Herald card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2016-07-13 If Nebelgast Herald and another Spirit enter the battlefield at the same time, Nebelgast Herald's last ability triggers once for each.
Flash card art

Guide to Flash card ability

Explore the dynamic Flash ability in Magic: The Gathering (MTG), a feature that allows you to cast spells at lightning speed, often leaving your opponents reeling and your strategy several steps ahead. This versatile ability can turn the tide of a game, providing the element of surprise and tactical advantage. It places a premium on timing and foresight, transforming an ordinary deck into a formidable arsenal of instant threats and responses.