Niambi, Beloved Protector MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Legendary Creature — Human Cleric |
| Abilities | Flash |
| Released | 2022-10-05 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Alchemy: Dominaria |
| Set code | YDMU |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
| Number | 24 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Julia Metzger |
Text of card
Flash When Niambi, Beloved Protector enters the battlefield, if you cast it, choose target nonlegendary creature card in your graveyard that was put there from the battlefield this turn. Return it to the battlefield. It perpetually gains "Whenever this creature becomes the target of a spell or ability, draw a card. This ability triggers only once each turn."
Cards like Niambi, Beloved Protector
Niambi, Beloved Protector is an intriguing addition to the roster of legendary creatures in Magic: The Gathering. She resonates with commanders such as Teshar, Ancestor’s Apostle, considering both have abilities that revolve around casting or returning historic spells. Nonetheless, Niambi distinguishes herself with a vital ability to return another target creature to its owner’s hand, offering both protection and a political tool within the game.
Looking at other creatures with protective abilities, Selfless Squire shares the spotlight. While it prevents damage for a turn rather than returning creatures to hand, the Squire’s ability can turn the tides of an entire game by emerging as a surprise blocker. Niambi’s strength lies in her repeatable use and the flexibility of targeting which creatures to save. In addition, Mother of Runes provides targeted protection for creatures, but unlike Niambi, it doesn’t offer the same level of board impact and tempo control.
When it comes to safeguarding your pivotal creatures and advancing your board state, Niambi, Beloved Protector effortlessly blends into MTG decks that emphasize resilience and strategy manipulation. Her unique capabilities assure that she holds a distinct position among legendary protectors in the game.
Cards similar to Niambi, Beloved Protector by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Niambi, Beloved Protector provides a unique advantage by potentially returning another creature to your hand, allowing you to reuse enter-the-battlefield effects or save a key piece from removal.
Resource Acceleration: Niambi is more than just a protective force; she’s a great way to ramp up your resources by untapping up to two lands. This sets you up for playing higher-cost cards much earlier than your opponents expect.
Instant Speed: The ability to activate Niambi’s abilities at instant speed gives you the flexibility to adapt to the ever-changing battlefield, ensuring that your strategic plays are as efficient as possible.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Niambi, Beloved Protector prompts players to discard a card to utilize her full potential, a trade-off that may not always be opportune, especially in hands where every card holds key strategic value.
Specific Mana Cost: This card demands both white and blue mana for casting, narrowing its seamless inclusion to decks that can reliably produce both types of mana without hampering their mana base.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that includes three generic and one white mana, Niambi could potentially take the back seat in terms of playability when compared to other options that might bring similar or better utility for a lower investment.
Reasons to Include Niambi, Beloved Protector in Your Collection
Versatility: Niambi, Beloved Protector offers a multi-faceted toolkit for players. As a 2/2 legendary creature for three mana, she can provide a solid early defense. Her abilities to gain you life equal to the mana value of a targeted creature spell and her synergy with legendary spells make her a flexible addition to both aggressive and defensive strategies.
Combo Potential: Niambi enhances decks centered around legendary creatures or spells. She can act as an engine for life gain, which is beneficial for strategies aiming to outlast opponents or enable combos with cards that trigger off life gain events. The protection she offers to other legends opens up opportunities for powerful interactions and plays.
Meta-Relevance: In the ever-evolving MTG landscape, staying ahead of the meta-game is crucial. With her life-gain and protective abilities, Niambi, Beloved Protector is a timely counter to burn or aggro decks, which tend to dominate the meta at times. Incorporating her into your collection means you have a ready answer to some of the most common threats in the game, keeping your deck competitive.
How to beat
Niambi, Beloved Protector is a stand-out creature card in Magic: The Gathering, bringing unique abilities to the battlefield. Her capacity to rescue other creatures and offer life gain epitomizes utility and flexibility. To effectively combat Niambi’s influence, understanding her strengths is key. As a three-mana cost Human Cleric, Niambi offers immediate value upon entry by retrieving another legendary creature or planeswalker card from your graveyard to hand, which also gains you life.
So, how do players navigate against this formidable card? First and foremost, deploying removal spells that can exile Niambi is a profound move, as it prevents her from being recycled back from the graveyard. Cards such as Path to Exile or Swords to Plowshares are perfect for this strategy. Additionally, countering her enter-the-battlefield effect with counterspells like Counterspell or Dovin’s Veto can ensure she never gets a chance to exert her presence on the game. Lastly, graveyard hate cards like Rest in Peace or Leyline of the Void can disrupt the synergy she might have in your opponent’s deck, making it tough for them to glean value from her life gain and retrieval abilities. Adaptation and clever play are essential when countering Niambi’s versatile threat.
Mastering these strategies can tilt the match in your favor, negating Niambi’s defensive capabilities and securing your victory against the Beloved Protector.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Niambi, Beloved Protector MTG card by a specific set like Alchemy: Dominaria, 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 Niambi, Beloved Protector 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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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Niambi, Beloved Protector has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Alchemy | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Timeless | 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.