Nissa's Defeat MTG Card
Mana cost | |
Converted mana cost | 3 |
Rarity | Uncommon |
Type | Sorcery |
Released | 2017-07-14 |
Set symbol | |
Set name | Hour of Devastation |
Set code | HOU |
Number | 123 |
Frame | 2015 |
Layout | Normal |
Border | Black |
Illustred by | Kieran Yanner |
Text of card
Destroy target Forest, green enchantment, or green planeswalker. If that permanent was a Nissa planeswalker, draw a card.
"The soul of this world is gone, Nissa, and I would gladly kill it again." —Nicol Bolas
Cards like Nissa's Defeat
Nissa’s Defeat is an intriguing spell within the Magic: The Gathering arsenal, positioned distinctively among cards meant to neutralize threats. It hones in on a particular target: planeswalkers, especially those associated with Nissa. Akin to Hero’s Downfall, which also destroys any planeswalker, Nissa’s Defeat offers additional benefit against a specific type with its ability to search the opponent’s graveyard and hand, stripping them of Nissa-related cards. This specificity is a double-edged sword, providing substantial utility in niche scenarios while limiting its versatility.
Looming over the mana curve, we find Ruinous Path, a comparable card at the same cost but swapping out the Nissa-centric focus for Awaken, giving it a broader application against any planeswalker or creature. This serves a more general purpose against a wider array of threats. Yet, the flexibility comes at the expense of the surveilling strength that Nissa’s Defeat exerts over Nissa-themed decks.
In sum, Nissa’s Defeat may not be an everyday pick for every Magic: The Gathering deck due to its specialized nature. However, when facing decks that lean heavily on Nissa’s influence, it provides a targeted edge that can dismantle an opponent’s strategy efficiently, asserting its niche with precision amid the spectrum of planeswalker disruption tools.
Cards similar to Nissa's Defeat by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Nissa’s Defeat gives players a distinct upper hand by allowing them to not only remove a threat from the battlefield but also to look at the opponent’s hand and discard all cards with the same name. This dual action can strip away key pieces from an opponent’s strategy, putting you in a favorable position.
Resource Acceleration: While the card itself does not directly provide resource acceleration, effectively removing an opponent’s Nissa planeswalker or forest can slow down their resource development and give you a relative, albeit indirect, acceleration in terms of board presence and resource control.
Instant Speed: As a sorcery, Nissa’s Defeat requires strategic planning, given it does not operate at instant speed. This encourages skillful play as you time its casting at the most opportune moment within your turn to maximize its disruptive potential.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Nissa’s Defeat demands an exclusive condition—it only targets permanents and spells controlled by a player with a Nissa planeswalker. Without such a target, this card not only lacks utility but becomes dead weight in your hand.
Specific Mana Cost: Requiring two forests as part of the casting cost, this card firmly ties itself to green-heavy or mono-green decks. This mana specificity reduces the possibility of integrating it into more diverse or color-balanced deck archetypes.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: For its restrictive usage, Nissa’s Defeat’s cost sits at three mana, which could be considered steep by some. There are alternative spells in the same mana range that offer broader removal options or more flexible control tools.
Reasons to Include Nissa’s Defeat in Your Collection
Versatility: Nissa’s Defeat is not just a regular removal spell. Its unique ability to target a green planeswalker or a green spell makes it a specific yet flexible sideboard option that can significantly alter the course of a game. Additionally, its clause to search for a Forest card if a Nissa planeswalker is dealt with adds a land drop which can be a subtle but critical advantage.
Combo Potential: Although primarily a hate card, Nissa’s Defeat can fit into strategies aiming to dismantle specific green-centric combos or to preemptively disrupt decks that heavily rely on green value engines. It can also be an enabler in a pinch, providing the necessary mana fix by fetching a Forest if you happen to deal with a Nissa planeswalker.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where green decks or planeswalkers like Nissa are prevalent, Nissa’s Defeat can be a powerhouse. It’s a silver bullet against popular green threats, and can tip the scales in your favor by removing key pieces from your opponent’s strategy or by slowing down their tempo considerably.
How to beat
Nissa’s Defeat is a pinpointed answer to green strategies in Magic: The Gathering, specifically targeting cards that affiliates with Nissa, a ubiquitous planeswalker, and other green spells. It shines in sideboard strategy where knowing your opponent’s deck composition is crucial. To overcome Nissa’s Defeat, versatility in your deck build is key. Incorporate a diverse array of spells that don’t rely on a single color or planeswalker. This dilutes the impact Nissa’s Defeat has on your game plan.
Consider running cards that offer spell protection or countermeasures, such as Heroic Intervention, which can protect your permanents from being targeted, or veer towards instants and sorceries that immediately impact the board before Nissa’s Defeat can be an issue. Avoid overcommitting to green-centric plays if you suspect this card is in an opponent’s deck. By broadening the threat range, you force opponents to make tough decisions about when to deploy Nissa’s Defeat effectively. Ultimately, it’s about adaptability and foresight, undercutting Nissa’s Defeat’s potential by planning for its arrival and having a contingency in place.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Nissa's Defeat MTG card by a specific set like Hour of Devastation, 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 Nissa's Defeat 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 Nissa's Defeat has restrictions
Format | Legality |
---|---|
Commander | Legal |
Legacy | Legal |
Modern | Legal |
Oathbreaker | Legal |
Vintage | Legal |
Duel | Legal |
Pioneer | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Nissa's Defeat card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
Date | Text |
---|---|
2017-07-14 | Most nonbasic lands that produce green mana aren’t Forests. For example, Desert of the Indomitable isn’t a Forest. Some nonbasic lands (such as Sheltered Thicket from the Amonkhet set) do have basic land types printed on the type line and may be Forests. |