Necrite MTG Card

Necrite’s combat damage ability grants card advantage, pressuring opponent’s hand and resources. While offering control and combo potential, Necrite’s specific mana cost may limit deck integration. Counter Necrite effectively with smart creature management and timely removal to maintain board control.

Fallen Empires (FEM)
1994-11-01 - Number 41b

Fallen Empires (FEM)
1994-11-01 - Number 41c

Fallen Empires (FEM)
1994-11-01 - Number 41a

Fifth Edition (5ED)
1997-03-24 - Number 181

Fifth Edition (5ED)
1997-03-24 - Number 181s

Masters Edition II (ME2)
2008-09-22 - Number 106

Card sets	Released in 6 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Thrull
Power	2
Toughness	2

Text of card

If Necrite attacks and is not blocked, you may sacrifice it to bury a target creature controlled by the player Necrite attacked this turn. If you do so, Necrite deals no damage during combat this turn.

"Ever see a wall drop dead of fright, kid? It ain't pretty." —Cpl. Dobbs

Cards like Necrite

Necrite is an intriguing creature card within the realm of Magic: The Gathering, capturing attention with its ability to force opponents to sacrifice a creature upon dealing combat damage to a player. When stacking Necrite against other similar cards, Fleshbag Marauder springs to mind. This creature requires all players to sacrifice a creature when it enters the battlefield, offering a symmetrical effect that can be both a drawback and a strategic play depending on the board state.

Merely examining Nekrataal offers a different perspective. It has a similar casting cost but provides immediate value with its enter-the-battlefield effect of destroying a nonartifact, nonblack creature. However, Nekrataal’s impact is a one-off, whereas Necrite can potentially trigger its ability multiple times if kept alive. Another comparable card is Slum Reaper, which, akin to Fleshbag Marauder, affects each player and can be used to manipulate the board in your favor while also providing a larger body on the field.

In sum, Necrite might not be the flashiest card in the game, but it stands out for its repeatability and strategic depth. It can be a potent addition to any MTG deck focused on incremental advantage and opponent creature control.

Cards similar to Necrite by color, type and mana cost

Mischievous Poltergeist - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Necrite presents a distinct strategic benefit by turning your creatures into potential card advantage. Through its triggered ability, successfully dealing combat damage to a player results in that player discarding a card, gradually depleting their hand and improving your position in the long game.

Resource Acceleration: Although Necrite doesn’t directly accelerate resources in the form of mana, it indirectly contributes to resource acceleration by pressuring opponent’s resources through its discard mechanic. Each card discarded is a potential loss of resources for your opponent, slowly tipping the scale in your favor.

Instant Speed: While Necrite itself isn’t an instant, its impact on the board can be considered akin to ‘instant speed’ in the sense that it forces immediate responses. Opponents might have to quickly find an answer to avoid its cumulative disadvantage, which could lead opponents to play their removal spells earlier than intended, potentially disrupting their own game plan.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Playing Necrite necessitates the player to discard a card, often posing a setback when your hand is already dwindling. This trade-off can hinder your gameplay, particularly in tight spots where every card in hand is crucial.

Specific Mana Cost: Necrite’s casting cost demands both black and generic mana, making it exclusively fitting for decks that can produce black mana reliably. This requirement can be restrictive and may not align well with multi-color deck strategies that favor flexibility in mana resources.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that includes three mana, including two black, Necrite’s summoning investment is significant when measured against its power and toughness. In many cases, players might find other creatures or spells that offer more impact or versatility for a similar or lower mana commitment.

Reasons to Include Necrite in Your Collection

Versatility: With its ability to force an opponent to sacrifice a creature upon dealing combat damage, Necrite can serve as a valuable piece in any deck that prioritizes creature control or enjoys leveraging sacrificial strategies.

Combo Potential: This card works well within decks built around death-trigger mechanics or those that benefit from opponents losing creatures. It can be the trigger you need for various other effects that require a death condition to be met.

Meta-Relevance: If there is a sizable presence of aggro decks with many creatures in the current meta, having Necrite in your arsenal gives you an edge by consistently removing your opponents’ offensive threats, one creature at a time.

How to Beat Necrite

Necrite is one of those earlier Magic: The Gathering cards that might catch players off guard due to its potential to become an obstacle on the battlefield. It’s a creature from the Fallen Empires set, known for its straightforward yet impactful ‘Whenever Necrite attacks and isn’t blocked, you may sacrifice it to destroy target creature defending player controls’ ability.

To navigate around the threat of Necrite, it’s wise to manage your creatures effectively. Since Necrite needs to be unblocked to utilize its ability, one strategy is to ensure you always avoid leaving your defense open. Consider keeping back-up blockers or utilizing spells that create token creatures to deter an unblocked attack. Additionally, instant removal spells are incredibly valuable against Necrite. By using removal in response to the attack declaration, you neutralize the threat before it can execute its sacrifice ability, thus maintaining control over the pace and state of the board. Another tactic is to take advantage of combat tricks that can unexpectedly beef up your blockers, discouraging Necrite’s controller from risking an attack.

Always remember, understanding how to tackle specific threats such as Necrite enhances your adaptability during the game and can significantly increase your chances of victory. With careful planning and strategic countermeasures, the once daunting Necrite can turn into a manageable aspect of your matches.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Necrite MTG card by a specific set like Fallen Empires and Fallen Empires, 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 Necrite and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Necrite Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 1994-11-01 and 2008-09-22. Illustrated by 3 different artists.

#	Released	Name	Code	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	1994-11-01	Fallen Empires	FEM	41b	1993	Normal	Black	Christopher Rush
2	1994-11-01	Fallen Empires	FEM	41c	1993	Normal	Black	Drew Tucker
3	1994-11-01	Fallen Empires	FEM	41a	1993	Normal	Black	Ron Spencer
4	1997-03-24	Fifth Edition	5ED	181	1997	Normal	White	Ron Spencer
5	1997-03-24	Fifth Edition	5ED	181s	1997	Normal	White	Drew Tucker
6	2008-09-22	Masters Edition II	ME2	106	1997	Normal	Black	Ron Spencer

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Necrite has restrictions

Format	Legality
Oldschool	Legal
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Premodern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2013-04-15	An ability that triggers when something “attacks and isn’t blocked” triggers in the declare blockers step after blockers are declared if (1) that creature is attacking and (2) no creatures are declared to block it. It will trigger even if that creature was put onto the battlefield attacking rather than having been declared as an attacker in the declare attackers step.