Nightshade Peddler MTG Card
2012-05-04 - Number 187
2020-09-26 - Number AVR-187
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Human Druid |
| Abilities | Soulbond |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
Soulbond (You may pair this creature with another unpaired creature when either enters the battlefield. They remain paired for as long as you control both of them.) As long as Nightshade Peddler is paired with another creature, both creatures have deathtouch.
Cards like Nightshade Peddler
Nightshade Peddler stands out in the Magic: The Gathering landscape for its unique ability to share deathtouch. This two-mana creature resonates with Elvish Skysweeper for its low cost and creature-impacting ability. Yet, there’s a notable difference as the Skysweeper requires additional mana and sacrifice to destroy a target creature, instead of granting an ongoing ability.
Another card resembling the Peddler in terms of battlefield impact is Basilisk Collar. The Collar bestows deathtouch and lifelink to a creature, but aside from the higher equip cost, it’s an artifact, giving it more versatility across deck types. The Peddler, conversely, offers the potential for a more immediate effect as it can pair its ability as soon as it enters the battlefield.
Considering utility and synergies, Glissa, the Traitor also comes to mind. Like Nightshade Peddler, Glissa equips creatures with deathtouch, but brings an additional first strike bonus. This makes Glissa an overall stronger card for combat engagements, albeit at a higher mana value. When evaluating the strategic advantages of these cards, Nightshade Peddler certainly finds its niche due to its cost-effective method of distributing deathtouch among creatures on the field.
Cards similar to Nightshade Peddler by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Nightshade Peddler’s unique ability to grant deathtouch to another creature can result in a form of card advantage. Through favorable trades on the battlefield, you can eliminate your opponent’s key creatures while preserving your own forces.
Resource Acceleration: While Nightshade Peddler itself does not directly accelerate resources, pairing it with other creatures or cards can lead to a more efficient use of your creatures as removal tools. This can indirectly lead to resource acceleration by maintaining board presence and minimizing the need to cast removal spells.
Instant Speed: The Peddler’s soulbond ability can be strategically activated at instant speed. If you play a creature during your main phase, you can immediately pair it with Nightshade Peddler before blockers are declared, which can catch an opponent off guard and turn the tide of combat in your favor.
Card Cons
Specific Mana Cost: Nightshade Peddler requires both green mana and another mana to cast, which can be restrictive for decks that are not built around green mana or multicolor synergies.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While two mana is not prohibitively expensive, there are creatures with more impactful abilities or higher stats at the same or lower mana cost, potentially making Nightshade Peddler a less competitive choice.
Discard Requirement: Although Nightshade Peddler doesn’t have a discard requirement itself, it often needs to be paired with other cards to be effective. This could lead to a disadvantageous board state if you’re forced to discard cards to enable its soulbond ability.
Reasons to Include Nightshade Peddler in Your Collection
Versatility: Nightshade Peddler can adapt to a wide array of decks that utilize creatures. Its soulbond ability allows it to grant deathtouch to another creature, making almost any creature a substantial threat.
Combo Potential: This card has strong synergy with cards that tap to deal damage, as it turns them into instant removal tools. It can become a key piece in combos that aim to control the board by neutralizing opponent’s threats.
Meta-Relevance: As metagames evolve, creatures with utility like Nightshade Peddler remain relevant due to their ability to disrupt opponent strategies and turn the tide of creature-based onslaughts, proving its worth in various metagame scenarios.
How to beat
Nightshade Peddler is a unique creature card in Magic: The Gathering, known for its ability to grant deathtouch by pairing with another creature. This can turn any creature it partners with into a potent threat that can take down even the mightiest foes with just a single point of damage. Facing such a card can be challenging, but there are strategies to outplay it.
One effective tactic is to use removal spells before the Peddler can pair up, like Path to Exile or Doom Blade, which can quickly dispatch the threat before it becomes active. Moreover, countering the Peddler upon casting using spells like Mana Leak can prevent it from having any impact on the game. If the Peddler has already paired, focus removal or damage on the paired creature; since the Peddler itself is not a significant threat stats-wise.
Furthermore, evasion abilities like flying or unblockable can circumvent the deadly duo, allowing you to strike directly at the opponent. Sweepers like Wrath of God can also reset the board, making the Peddler’s pairing ability irrelevant. By staying one step ahead, you can neutralize the Nightshade Peddler’s potential and maintain control of the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Nightshade Peddler MTG card by a specific set like Avacyn Restored and The List, 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 Nightshade Peddler 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 Nightshade Peddler Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2012-05-04 and 2012-05-04. Illustrated by John Stanko.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2012-05-04 | Avacyn Restored | AVR | 187 | 2003 | Normal | Black | John Stanko | |
| 2 | The List | PLST | AVR-187 | 2003 | Normal | Black | John Stanko |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Nightshade Peddler has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |