Necropolis of Azar MTG Card

Grants card advantage and shores up resource pools, expanding strategic depth in gameplay. Demands precise mana and a full hand, challenging deck construction and resource management. Flexibility and meta-relevance make it a strategic addition to various MTG decks.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Common
Type	Enchantment
Released	1997-04-01
Set symbol
Set name	Astral Cards
Set code	PAST
Number	5
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Rob Alexander

Text of card

Whenever a non-black creature is put into any graveyard from play, put a husk counter on Necropolis of Azar. , Remove a husk counter from Necropolis of Azar: Put a Spawn of Azar token into play. Treat this token as a black creature with a random power and toughness, each no less than 1 and no greater than 3, that has swampwalk.

Cards like Necropolis of Azar

The Necropolis of Azar emerges as a compelling choice within the realm of land cards in Magic the Gathering. It bears resemblance to cards like Reliquary Tower, as both enable players to have no maximum hand size. The distinct attribute of the Necropolis of Azar lies in its ability to transform into a creature under specific circumstances. Unlike Reliquary Tower however, it does not offer an increase in mana pool but instead, becomes a tactical blocker or attacker when the condition is met.

Examining another peer, Cryptic Caves offers the advantage of card draw by sacrificing itself, something Necropolis of Azar cannot directly do. However, the Cave’s mana generation is limited to one colorless, whereas the Necropolis offers both colorless and black mana, potentially aligning better with certain deck strategies. Moreover, Westvale Abbey presents itself as a formidable counterpart that can convert creatures into a powerful demon, contrasting with Necropolis’s self-contained transformation ability.

Ultimately, Necropolis of Azar stands out in the pantheon of transforming land cards for its unique role-swapping capability, enriching Magic the Gathering gameplay with strategic flexibility for players adept at managing the conditions for its transformation.

Cards similar to Necropolis of Azar by color, type and mana cost

Feast of the Unicorn - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Necropolis of Azar offers a unique mechanic that can provide card advantage by allowing you to potentially draw multiple cards through its activated ability, giving you a solid lead in resource availability.

Resource Acceleration: This card can function as a source of resource acceleration by granting you access to additional mana. Its capability to transform noncreature permanents into black Zombie creature tokens can indirectly ramp your mana by adding creature-based mana sources or synergizing with other cards that exploit creature presence.

Instant Speed: Though Necropolis of Azar itself does not operate at instant speed, it empowers you to benefit from the tokens it creates on your opponents’ turns, thereby keeping your mana untapped and resources available for instant speed interactions. This can lead to significant shifts in board state and momentum during a match.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Engaging with the Necropolis of Azar requires the player to discard another card, presenting a challenge especially when the player’s hand is already lacking in options. This condition must be met to harness its powers, forcing players to weigh their current hand against the long-term benefits of using the Necropolis of Azar.

Specific Mana Cost: Mana requirements for this card demand a precise blend of colour allocations, making it a card that cannot be easily integrated into every deck. Players must have access to the necessary mana colours, which can complicate the deck-building process and potentially slow down the deck’s overall mana curve.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that is on the higher end of the spectrum, the Necropolis of Azar competes with other cards for a slot in players’ decks. Considering alternative options within the same mana range, players might find other cards that offer more immediate or flexible advantages in gameplay, making the cost-to-benefit ratio of the Necropolis of Azar less appealing in some strategic scenarios.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Necropolis of Azar adapts seamlessly to various deck archetypes, proving particularly advantageous in decks that capitalize on graveyard mechanics or need a reliable mana sink.

Combo Potential: This card is a key piece in engine builds, easily syncing with strategies that return cards from the graveyard to the playing field or that benefit from self-mill tactics.

Meta-Relevance: Considering the trend of graveyard-based strategies in the current gameplay environment, its utility in managing and exploiting graveyard contents makes it a strategic choice for staying competitive.

How to beat

Necropolis of Azar stands as a unique artifact card within the world of MTG, offering a blend of graveyard manipulation and a potential power swing in favor of the controller. To dismantle this card’s advantage, your strategies should revolve around prompt removal of artifacts, graveyard disruption, and countering the summoning of powerful creatures that can leverage this card’s abilities.

Considering removal options, cards like Naturalize or Shattering Spree can efficiently deal with artifacts like Necropolis of Azar. They can swiftly remove the artifact before the opponent gets too much value out of it. Graveyard hate cards such as Relic of Progenitus or Leyline of the Void can also stifle the card’s potential by keeping graveyards empty, thus rendering the Necropolis far less menacing.

Lastly, a control strategy focused on preventing high-power creatures from entering the battlefield is crucial. Countermagic such as Counterspell or creature-specific options like Essence Scatter can stop formidable creatures in their tracks, maintaining a balance that the Necropolis of Azar aims to disrupt. By incorporating these tactics, players can effectively neutralize threats imposed by the Necropolis of Azar and maintain control over the game.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Necropolis of Azar MTG card by a specific set like Astral Cards, 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 Necropolis of Azar and other MTG cards:

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