Nightveil Sprite MTG Card


Nightveil Sprite’s surveil ability offers significant deck control and a tactical edge over opponents. With a low casting cost, it allows for early game presence and accelerates your overall strategy. Despite some drawbacks, its consistent surveil mechanic makes it a valuable MTG asset.
Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Faerie Rogue
Abilities Flying,Surveil
Power 1
Toughness 2

Text of card

Flying Whenever Nightveil Sprite attacks, surveil 1. (Look at the top card of your library. You may put that card into your graveyard.)

"We're on the fortieth floor, with one window, no balcony. No one could possibly get in." —Minosz, Orzhov chief of security


Cards like Nightveil Sprite

A standout in Magic: The Gathering’s array of characters, Nightveil Sprite offers an intriguing parallel to other cards in the mix. Similar to Dimir Spybug, Nightveil Sprite carries a flying ability thus proving its significance in mid-air attack or defense strategies. However, the two have distinguishing traits. Dimir Spybug is amplified whenever you surveil while Nightveil Sprite offers a surveil 1 advantage in each of its attacks.

Closely compared, we’ve got Thoughtbound Phantasm. This card immensely benefits from the surveil mechanic like Nightveil Sprite, growing in strength each time you surveil. Nevertheless, Nightveil Sprite holds a slight edge because of its reliable evasion ability and surveil bonus during combat.

Lastly, the Dream Eater can’t be overlooked. Despite being expensive mana-wise, it compensates with an exceptional impact on play. Combining surveil 4 with a bounce effect, it definitely packs a punch. Yet its high cost can sometimes be a handicap, which is where Nightveil Sprite, with its constant surveil ability and less mana requirement, scores points.

Ultimately, each card has its endearing traits, but Nightveil Sprite creates a compelling case with its equilibrium of strength, evasion, and consistent surveil perks in Magic: The Gathering.

Dimir Spybug - MTG Card versions
Thoughtbound Phantasm - MTG Card versions
Dream Eater - MTG Card versions
Dimir Spybug - MTG Card versions
Thoughtbound Phantasm - MTG Card versions
Dream Eater - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Nightveil Sprite by color, type and mana cost

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Coral Eel - MTG Card versions
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Aquamoeba - MTG Card versions
Soratami Cloudskater - MTG Card versions
Minamo Sightbender - MTG Card versions
Vodalian Soldiers - MTG Card versions
Zephyr Falcon - MTG Card versions
Giant Albatross - MTG Card versions
Phantasmal Sphere - MTG Card versions
Skyshroud Condor - MTG Card versions
School of Piranha - MTG Card versions
Coral Merfolk - MTG Card versions
Wu Light Cavalry - MTG Card versions
Sea Eagle - MTG Card versions
Overtaker - MTG Card versions
Hazy Homunculus - MTG Card versions
Darting Merfolk - MTG Card versions
Thought Eater - MTG Card versions
Spellstutter Sprite - MTG Card versions
Sneaky Homunculus - MTG Card versions
Coral Eel - MTG Card versions
Storm Crow - MTG Card versions
Aquamoeba - MTG Card versions
Soratami Cloudskater - MTG Card versions
Minamo Sightbender - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Nightveil Sprite. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Dimir ControlDimir Control PioneerPeasant Pioneer Showdown - A Josh and Pat's MTG Bazaar Sponsored Event

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Nightveil Sprite’s ability allows for regular surveilling activity, providing you an extra aid in managing your library. This unique feature grants a significant edge in controlling the composition of your deck, thus supporting you in gaining an advantage over your opponent.

Resource Acceleration: With its affordable casting cost of only two mana (one of any color and one blue), Nightveil Sprite is a prime example of a card that accelerates your game’s pace. Its relatively low cost makes it an accessible card early in the game, enabling you to establish an offensive position and pressure your opponent right from the start.

Instant Speed: While Nightveil Sprite doesn’t act at instant speed, the value it adds to your game shouldn’t be undervalued. On top of its attack power, the card’s ability to surveil consistently stands out during your turn, allowing you to sift through your deck quickly and strategically. This element of the game is not to be overlooked as it contributes to your overall perfomance and outcome in the MTG arena.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Though Nightveil Sprite’s ability is quite nifty, it does come at a cost. This MTG card requires you to discard a card from your hand before you can activate its ability. This can prove to be a marked disadvantage, particularly if you’re short on resources or hold a hand full of essential cards.

Specific Mana Cost: Another peculiarity of Nightveil Sprite is its specific mana cost. To cast this card, you need one blue mana. While this may not be problematic for mono-blue or two-color decks, it can definitely limit the card’s flexibility and usage in multi-color decks or decks that do not primarily use blue mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although two mana may not seem like a lot, in the fast-paced world of MTG, every single mana point counts. At two mana for a 1/2 creature with surveil 1, there may essentially be other cards out there that offer more bang for your buck, in terms of either power/toughness ratio or value of the abilities offered.


Reasons to Include Nightveil Sprite in Your Collection

Versatility: The Nightveil Sprite is a versatile addition to any deck, particularly those that thrive on surveil mechanics. This creature card’s ability to peep into your library and adjust your future draws can be useful in a variety of situations, giving it an adaptable role within any deck.

Combo Potential: The Sprite’s surveil power offers promising combo potential with other cards, unfolding layers of strategic plays. For instance, it sets off abilities that fire when you surveil, working well with Dimir Spybug or Thoughtbound Phantasm, making it a must-have for any surveil-themed deck.

Meta-Relevance: The state of the meta-game also adds to the Sprite’s value. As its utility shines in a control-focused meta, where setup, draw control, and opponent disruption are key, Nightveil Sprite’s regular surveil can significantly tip the scales in your favor.


How to beat

The strategy for defeating Nightveil Sprite, a noteworthy card in the MTG universe, builds upon understanding its inherent strengths. As a flying creature with Dimir traits, the Nightveil Sprite excels in enabling Surveil, aiding players in refining future draws and managing their library effectively. Moreover, it’s worth mentioning its evasion ability, permitting the card to avoid attacks from non-flying and non-reach creatures.

However, every strength carries an associated weakness. In this case, low toughness of nightveil sprite is its weak point. Direct damage spells, such as Shock or Lightning Bolt, can easily dismantle this creature. Alternatively, creatures with Reach can pose a substantial threat to Nightveil Sprite, intercepting it mid-flight. Cards like Giant Spider or Thornweald Archer can effectively counter Nightveil Sprite’s advance.

In summary, the way to counter Nightveil Sprite in MTG is to exploit its lower toughness value or employ creatures equipped with Reach. Playing your cards right can turn the game around, effectively neutralizing the card advantages garnered by this mighty Sprite.


BurnMana Recommendations

As you’ve seen, Nightveil Sprite can be a nimble and efficient asset when building a deck around the surveil mechanic. Its ability to pave the way for future plays, coupled with a modest mana cost, makes it a worthwhile inclusion, especially in surveil-centric decks aiming for control and manipulation of the play environment. If you’re curious about how to optimize your deck with Nightveil Sprite or finding the right mix of cards to complement it, we have insights and strategies that can boost your gameplay. Step up your MTG experience by learning more about deck building and strategic plays with Nightveil Sprite as a core element. Dive deeper with us into the art of the game and make each of your matches a tactical delight.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Nightveil Sprite MTG card by a specific set like Guilds of Ravnica and Zendikar Rising Commander, 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 Nightveil Sprite and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Nightveil Sprite Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2018-10-05 and 2024-02-09. Illustrated by Uriah Voth.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12018-10-05Guilds of RavnicaGRN 482015NormalBlackUriah Voth
22020-09-25Zendikar Rising CommanderZNC 322015NormalBlackUriah Voth
32023-09-08Wilds of Eldraine CommanderWOC 1002015NormalBlackUriah Voth
42024-01-12Ravnica RemasteredRVR 522015NormalBlackUriah Voth
52024-02-09Murders at Karlov Manor CommanderMKC 1132015NormalBlackUriah Voth

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Nightveil Sprite has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Nightveil Sprite card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2018-10-05 When you surveil, you may put all the cards you look at back on top of your library, you may put all of those cards into your graveyard, or you may put some of those cards on top and the rest of them into your graveyard.
2018-10-05 You perform the actions stated on a card in sequence. For some spells and abilities, you'll surveil last. For others, you'll surveil and then perform other actions.