Nephalia Seakite MTG Card
Text of card
Flash (You may cast this spell any time you could cast an instant.) Flying
"Keep one eye on the cliff road or you may fall to your death. Keep one eye on the sky or your death may fall on you." —Manfried Ulmach, Elgaud Master-at-Arms
Cards like Nephalia Seakite
Nephalia Seakite is a unique creature card that offers a blend of defensive capabilities and surprise factors in Magic: The Gathering. When compared to other cards, Nephalia Seakite is often mentioned alongside cards like Faerie Duelist. Both share a similar surprise element with flash, allowing players to disrupt opponents’ strategies during combat. Faerie Duelist, while lower in power, offers a temporary debuff to an attacking or blocking creature upon entry.
In terms of defensive fliers, another card that lines up with Nephalia Seakite is Spire Monitor. Despite its higher mana cost, Spire Monitor also features flash and flying but stands out with a stronger power and toughness profile. Still, the flexibility and lower cost of Nephalia Seakite make it a go-to for a timely defense against oncoming attackers.
Lastly, examining the utility of Welkin Tern, we see a card that, while missing the flash ability, offers aggressive flying capabilities for early board presence. Although not a defensive surprise like Nephalia Seakite, Welkin Tern can put pressure on the opponent early in the game. Thus, while different in application, all these cards find their niches within the aerial combat strategies of Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Nephalia Seakite by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: With Nephalia Seakite in your deck, its flash ability contributes to card advantage by offering a surprise blocker or ambushing an opponent’s attacking creature unexpectedly. This often times results in favorable trades that leave you ahead in card economy.
Resource Acceleration: Although Nephalia Seakite doesn’t directly accelerate your resources, its low casting cost of four mana fits well into most mana curves. This ensures you’re effectively progressing your board presence without a substantial investment of resources.
Instant Speed: The flash ability of Nephalia Seakite essentially gives it instant speed, allowing you the flexibility to play it at the end of your opponent’s turn. This not only keeps your mana open for other actions but also can throw off your opponent’s strategies, making it a strategic play in many situations.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Despite its ability to flash in as a blocker or surprise attacker, Nephalia Seakite requires players to discard another card whenever it becomes targeted by a spell or ability that an opponent controls. This downside can quickly deplete a player’s hand, making it a tough choice in decks that are not prepared to capitalize on the discard.
Specific Mana Cost: Nephalia Seakite demands a mana cost that includes both blue and colorless mana, which can sometimes complicate its casting in multi-colored decks. Players running three or more colors might find it challenging to always have the right mana available when they need it the most.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of two colorless and two blue mana for its stats and abilities, Nephalia Seakite sits at a higher price point than some other creatures in the same slot. Savvy players might opt for alternatives that offer a greater impact on the board for the same, or lower, mana investment.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Nephalia Seakite is a card that adapts to various playing styles, easily fitting into blue control or flash-based decks. Its flying ability allows it to serve as both an offensive and defensive asset during gameplay.
Combo Potential: This creature’s flash characteristic allows players to surprise opponents by casting it during their turn, potentially disrupting their plans. It can be paired with cards that reward you for casting spells on your opponent’s turn or for having flying creatures.
Meta-Relevance: As the game environment shifts, a card like Nephalia Seakite maintains relevance due to its utility against a range of strategies. It’s particularly effective in a meta where unsuspected blockers or instant-speed interaction is key to surviving against aggressive decks.
How to beat
In the realm of Magic: The Gathering, Nephalia Seakite is a niche card that comes with a twist of surprise. Known for its flash ability, it allows players to cast it at times when opponents least expect it, making it an ideal creature to block incoming threats unexpectedly. To effectively counter this pesky flyer, consider using instant-speed removal spells that can be cast after it lands on the battlefield but before it gets the chance to block. These include staples like Shock or Fatal Push that can swiftly take the Seakite down.
Another strategy involves outpacing Nephalia Seakite by amassing a board presence so overwhelming that the single blocker becomes irrelevant. Prioritizing the development of your board with cost-efficient creatures, or using spells that provide multiple creatures, can help you sail past the defensive capabilities of a single Seakite. It’s also worth noting that the Seakite is less effective against taller creatures with higher toughness, rendering it just a minor speed bump rather than a full-stop.
Adapting to your meta and equipping your deck with the right tools to handle creatures like Nephalia Seakite can make all the difference in the tides of battle. It’s about reading the game, preserving your removal for key moments, and knowing when to commit to the board versus when to play it safe.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Nephalia Seakite MTG card by a specific set like Dark Ascension and Magic 2014, 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 Nephalia Seakite and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
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Printings
The Nephalia Seakite Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2012-02-03 and 2013-07-19. Illustrated by Wayne England.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2012-02-03 | Dark Ascension | DKA | 43 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Wayne England | |
| 2 | 2013-07-19 | Magic 2014 | M14 | 65 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Wayne England |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Nephalia Seakite has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
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.