Nemesis Mask MTG Card

Nemesis Mask can skew combat, forcing multiple blockers, preserving key creatures or tapping opponents’ creatures. Evasion of opponent resource deployment may occur, offering players a strategic advantage in board control. Although not instant-speed, its combat altering effect can unexpectedly shift battle dynamics when timed right.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Artifact — Equipment
Abilities	Equip
Released	2004-02-06
Set symbol
Set name	Darksteel
Set code	DST
Number	134
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Adam Rex

Text of card

All creatures able to block equipped creature do so. Equip (: Attach to target creature you control. Equip only as a sorcery. This card comes into play unattached and stays in play if the creature leaves play.)

Cards like Nemesis Mask

Nemesis Mask is a unique equipment card in Magic: The Gathering that has the power to turn any creature into a formidable threat that must be blocked. This card is reminiscent of the likes of Lure, which also forces all an opponent’s creatures to block a single attacker. However, Nemesis Mask grants this effect with the added versatility of being an equipment, allowing you to assign the effect to various creatures across multiple turns.

In comparison, there is also the card Alluring Scent, which shares the same mandatory block requirement found in Lure. But once again, Nemesis Mask offers the strategic advantage of moving between creatures, thus not restricted to a one-time use scenario. Another competitor in this space is the card Master Warcraft, which takes a different twist by allowing you to control how your opponent’s creatures block for a turn, providing a similar but more instantaneous and less predictable result.

Assessing Nemesis Mask against other cards that alter combat dynamics showcases its utility in continuous battlefield control. The equipment nature of Nemesis Mask ensures longevity in game strategies, distinguishing it as a card with persistent potential in creature-heavy decks.

Cards similar to Nemesis Mask by color, type and mana cost

Scale of Chiss-Goria - MTG Card versions

Sword of Feast and Famine - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: With Nemesis Mask equipped, one creature becomes the center of attention during combat, potentially offering safe passage for your other valuable creatures or causing more of your opponent’s creatures to be tapped. Over the course of the game, this can preserve your important threats or card-draw creatures, indirectly contributing to overall card advantage.

Resource Acceleration: Though not directly accelerating resources, having Nemesis Mask in play may deter opponents from deploying their own resources, as they anticipate losing creatures in combat. This can lead to a slower pace on their part, giving you the edge to ramp up your board presence and play more aggressively.

Instant Speed: While Nemesis Mask itself doesn’t function at instant speed, it can dramatically change combat dynamics in an instant, especially when moved between creatures with effects like Attach or Equip instant-speed abilities. Timing the use of Nemesis Mask effectively can catch opponents off-guard and turn the tide of battle in your favor.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: For some players, the obligation to let go of valuable cards from their hand to unleash the power of Nemesis Mask can feel counterintuitive. This discard demand may hinder the card’s inclusion in strategies that depend on maintaining a full grip of options.

Specific Mana Cost: A color-specific mana requirement can be a double-edged sword, and Nemesis Mask certainly reflects this limitation, needing a precise blend of mana. This constraint can be unwelcoming in decks that celebrate a broader color palette or that prioritize mana flexibility.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Clocking in at a noteworthy investment of mana, Nemesis Mask can be considered costly for the effect it provides. In the ever-evolving landscape of MTG, where efficiency reigns supreme, players might opt for alternatives that offer similar effects for a more economical mana expenditure.

Reasons to Include Nemesis Mask in Your Collection

Versatility: Nemesis Mask is a unique equipment card that can adapt to a wide variety of decks. It enables your creatures to become a magnet for blockers, allowing you to manipulate combat in your favor, whether you’re trying to protect valuable assets or ensure your other creatures can attack unimpeded.

Combo Potential: The card’s ability to concentrate blockers onto a single creature pairs well with numerous abilities and strategies. For instance, coupling Nemesis Mask with deathtouch creatures can act as a board wipe, or utilizing it in a deck with creatures that benefit from being blocked can yield substantial benefits.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment that’s creature-heavy, Nemesis Mask gains considerable utility. As it disrupts opponent’s combat plans and forces unfavorable blocks, it can turn the tide in games where board control is crucial.

How to beat

Nemesis Mask is an intriguing equipment card in Magic: The Gathering, uniquely tailored to manipulate combat to your advantage. Functioning similarly to other equipment cards, Nemesis Mask can dramatically alter the battlefield dynamics by drawing all blockers to the equipped creature. It shares similarities with cards like Lure, which entice all creatures to block a single attacker, granting a strategic edge during the attack phase.

Defeating a foe wielding Nemesis Mask demands tactical card selection, focusing on flexible removal spells such as Swords to Plowshares or the preventive Counterspell, to ensure the equipment never finds its target. Additionally, you can employ strategies that remove the equipped creature from combat, like with the instant-speed Unsummon. It’s crucial to interrupt the mask’s ability to centralize your opponent’s blockers, therefore preserving your defenses and allowing for a carefully orchestrated counterattack. Prioritizing the removal of either the mask or its bearer before the engagement can be the key to maintaining battlefield control against this distinctive equipment.

Overall, while Nemesis Mask can create significant combat scenarios, its impact can be mitigated with timely disruption, removal spells, and strategic gameplay, safeguarding your board position and paving the way to victory.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Nemesis Mask MTG card by a specific set like Darksteel, 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 Nemesis Mask and other MTG cards:

BUY NOW
BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Nemesis Mask has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal