Nessian Boar MTG Card
2020-01-24 - Number 181p
2020-01-24 - Number 181s
2020-01-24 - Number 328
2020-01-24 - Number 181
2002-06-24 - Number 79911
| Card sets | Released in 5 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Boar |
| Power | 10 |
| Toughness | 6 |
Text of card
All creatures able to block Nessian Boar do so. Whenever Nessian Boar becomes blocked by a creature, that creature's controller draws a card.
Renata led the best hunters in all of Theros on a quest to bring down the terror of the Setessan wilds.
Cards like Nessian Boar
Nessian Boar occupies a unique slot in the realm of creatures in Magic: The Gathering. It’s often compared to other high-powered creatures like Ghalta, Primal Hunger due to their substantial power. Nessian Boar has the potential to bring a massive 10/6 creature to the battlefield, akin to Ghalta’s formidable 12/12 stats. Despite the similarities in power, the Boar presents a distinct challenge with its ability to compel each opponent to block it if able, which can lead to advantageous board states.
Analogous to cards like Breaker of Armies, Nessian Boar can force opponent’s creatures into unfavorable blocks, yet Breaker of Armies lacks the offensive power of the Boar. For a more direct comparison, consider Paleoloth, which also has a significant body. However, it doesn’t have an obligatory blocking effect, but instead provides a recurring advantage for creatures with +1/+1 counters. When evaluating such cards, the importance of analyzing how they disrupt the battlefield and influence combat cannot be overstated. Nessian Boar seems to excel in scenarios that demand immediate attention from opponents, thanks to its compulsory blocking clause.
As such, Nessian Boar is a powerful force in games that require its controller to carefully consider the timing of its deployment to maximize its impact and turn the tide of combat in their favor.
Cards similar to Nessian Boar by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Nessian Boar. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Abzan Midrange | Gladiator | Sword and Sandals Showdown: EMEA Week 13 2024 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: When Nessian Boar forces each opponent to block it if able, it potentially leads to multiple creatures being destroyed. This can lead to a significant advantage in card quality on the board, as the Boar might decimate an opponent’s field of creatures in one attack.
Resource Acceleration: Although Nessian Boar itself doesn’t directly accelerate resources, the destruction of multiple blocking creatures can indirectly lead to resource acceleration. By clearing the way, it allows for more successful attacks in subsequent turns, potentially translating to an accelerated victory.
Instant Speed: While Nessian Boar doesn’t function at instant speed, its formidable presence demands an immediate answer. Its interaction with cards that have flash or can be cast at instant speed to manipulate combat can turn the tide of battle swiftly, showcasing a versatile combat strategy.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One notable downside to the Nessian Boar is its ability that may force you to discard cards. This can leave you at a disadvantage, especially when your hand is full of key cards that you need for your strategy.
Specific Mana Cost: This card has a specific mana cost that requires three green mana. This can be restrictive and may not fit seamlessly into multicolored decks that have a limited supply of green sources.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of five mana, including three green, Nessian Boar can be a costly investment. When you consider other powerful creatures and spells in the five-mana range, this boar might not always be the most efficient use of your turn’s resources.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Nessian Boar’s large presence on the battlefield allows it to be a game-changer in various deck types, particularly those that can exploit its mandatory blocking rule to clear the way for other attackers.
Combo Potential: Paired with cards that punish your opponent for sacrificing creatures or drawing extra cards, Nessian Boar can serve as a powerful engine in a strategic combo setup.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where board presence dictates control of the game, Nessian Boar demands answers from your opponents, often skewing combat scenarios in your favor.
How to beat
Nessian Boar is a formidable creature in MTG, often proving to be a challenging adversary on the battlefield. With its ability to force each creature an opponent controls to block it if able, this massive beast can clear a cluttered battlefield with ease. But, its achilles heel lies in its unique ability that allows the defending player to draw a card for each creature that died blocking it. This means that when you face a Nessian Boar, strategic blocking is crucial.
One effective strategy is to block with creatures you’re willing to sacrifice, ones that you’ve already squeezed value out of or those with death triggers. Utilizing creatures with “when this creature dies” effects can turn a potential disaster into an advantage. Another reliable method is to use instant-speed removal or bounce spells to eliminate the boar or temporarily remove it from combat after blockers are declared, preventing the draw ability from triggering at all.
Altogether, while the Nessian Boar can seem like an overwhelming force, with smart decisions and well-timed plays, it can be overcome. By exploiting its drawback and turning it into an opportunity, victory can be snatched from the jaws of defeat.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Nessian Boar MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Theros Beyond Death Promos, 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 Nessian Boar 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 Nessian Boar Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2020-01-24 and 2020-01-24. Illustrated by Zoltan Boros.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 79911 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Zoltan Boros | ||
| 2 | 2020-01-24 | Theros Beyond Death Promos | PTHB | 181p | 2015 | Normal | Black | Zoltan Boros | |
| 3 | 2020-01-24 | Theros Beyond Death Promos | PTHB | 181s | 2015 | Normal | Black | Zoltan Boros | |
| 4 | 2020-01-24 | Theros Beyond Death | THB | 328 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Zoltan Boros | |
| 5 | 2020-01-24 | Theros Beyond Death | THB | 181 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Zoltan Boros |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Nessian Boar has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Nessian Boar card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2020-01-24 | If a creature can’t block Nessian Boar for any reason (such as being tapped), then it doesn’t block. If there’s a cost associated with having it block, the player isn’t forced to pay that cost, so it doesn’t have to block in that case either. If there’s a cost associated with having it block Nessian Boar, but not to block other attacking creatures, that creature is free to block one of those other creatures or to not block at all. |
| 2020-01-24 | If a creature is required to block two or more different creatures, its controller chooses which one that creature blocks. |
| 2020-01-24 | Nessian Boar’s second ability resolves before combat damage is dealt, and players have priority to cast spells (such as the cards the defending player just drew) after the ability has resolved but before combat damage is dealt. |
| 2020-01-24 | Nessian Boar’s second ability triggers for each creature blocking it. |