Nekrataal MTG Card

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Nekrataal shines in being able to eliminate an opponent’s creature upon entering the battlefield while also providing a solid body for your game plan. This valuable exchange bolsters your presence on the board and often leaves your adversary at a disadvantage, losing not only their creature but also the resources expended to play it.

Resource Acceleration: Although Nekrataal doesn’t directly contribute to resource acceleration in terms of ramping mana, its ability to effectively deal with threats can indirectly preserve your mana and resources. By efficiently dealing with opposing creatures, you’re able to allocate mana to other pivotal game strategies without the need to commit additional cards or mana to control the board.

Instant Speed: While Nekrataal is not an instant itself, its enter the battlefield effect is reminiscent of an instant-speed removal spell. This allows you strategic flexibility, making it a prime choice for decks that need to manage threats on the board while simultaneously advancing their own board state. You can cast Nekrataal at times that are most opportune, such as just before your turn, to ensure maximum impact against opponents.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Even though Nekrataal doesn’t compel a discard upon casting, the requirement to hold removal spells or actions until it’s on the field may deplete your hand more than desired, thus indirectly influencing your discard choices.

Specific Mana Cost: Casting Nekrataal requires precise mana alignment––two black and two generic mana. This strict cost can be a hurdle in multicolored decks that may not always have the right mana available at the right time.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Given that Nekrataal costs four mana, it’s critical to assess its value against other removal options. Many decks demand lower mana curves for faster gameplay, and at times Nekrataal might not be the most economical choice for creature control.

Reasons to Include Nekrataal in Your Collection

Versatility: Nekrataal is a powerful option in any black-based deck that thrives on removal. As a creature that can eliminate an opponent’s threat the moment it hits the battlefield, it serves dual purposes by providing both board presence and control.

Combo Potential: With the ability to destroy a nonartifact, nonblack creature upon entry, Nekrataal can be a key component in combos that repeatedly bounce or resurrect creatures, triggering its valuable enter-the-battlefield effect multiple times throughout a game.

Meta-Relevance: In a game where creatures often play a pivotal role, having Nekrataal can be crucial. It aligns well in environments heavy with powerful creatures that need to be dealt with swiftly and efficiently, making it a mainstay in certain decks that focus on maintaining a clear field.

How to beat

The Nekrataal card presents a unique challenge on the battlefield with its straightforward yet powerful impact to eliminate creatures. It shines as a creature that not only bolsters your defenses but also acts as a removal tool upon entering the play field. When it comes to strategies to overcome this potent card, one thing to keep in mind is its limitation to only target nonartifact, nonblack creatures. By understanding its restrictions, you can craft a deck that minimizes the impact of Nekrataal’s entrance. Featuring more artifact creatures or black creatures in your lineup can essentially render Nekrataal a simple creature without its feared battlefield effect.

Another tactic is to prioritize the use of instant-speed spells that can protect or regenerate your key creatures, or even counter spells that may allow Nekrataal to make an unwelcome appearance. Employing spells with hexproof or shroud can also provide a secure blanket over your creatures, shielding them from Nekrataal’s targeted ability. Last but not least, maintaining a faster pace with an aggressive deck can often outrun the slower, more methodical play style that a card like Nekrataal encourages.

BurnMana Recommendations

Understanding the ins and outs of MTG is crucial to bolster your gameplay, and incorporating cards like Nekrataal can offer a significant edge. With its dual function as a creature and a removal tool, Nekrataal is a formidable asset in any black-based strategy. It encourages thoughtful play, combining control with a tactical presence on the board. If you appreciate a blend of offense and defense, and the concept of endless strategies excites you, then deepening your card knowledge is key. Learn more about optimizing your playstyle and refining your collection with us. Embrace the tactics that lead to victory and let Nekrataal guide your path to becoming an adept player.