Nivmagus Elemental MTG Card


Turns spells into power, offering an alternative route to card advantage without additional draws. Functions at instant speed, proving crucial in surprising opponents and disrupting their strategies. Demands specific play styles, potentially impacting deck consistency and spell utility.
Nivmagus Elemental - Return to Ravnica
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Elemental
Released2012-10-05
Set symbol
Set nameReturn to Ravnica
Set codeRTR
Power 1
Toughness 2
Number219
Frame2003
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byMike Bierek

Text of card

Exile an instant or sorcery spell you control: Put two +1/+1 counters on Nivmagus Elemental. (That spell won't resolve.)

When it escaped, the experimenters hesitated. It would cause untold havoc, yet they wished to see it in action.


Cards like Nivmagus Elemental

Nivmagus Elemental offers a unique mechanic that enables players to use uncast spells to their advantage. This card bears resemblance to the likes of Quirion Dryad and Wild Cantor which are both creatures that provide utility and grow under specific conditions. Quirion Dryad gets stronger as you cast spells of a color other than green, flourishing in a deck with diverse mana. On the other hand, Wild Cantor offers mana flexibility by sacrificing itself – a different approach to resource management compared to Nivmagus Elemental’s ability to effectively recycle spells for a power boost.

Chasm Skulker is another card that amasses power as you draw cards, however, when it dies, it leaves behind a swarm of Squid tokens as a form of board presence. While Nivmagus Elemental focuses on converting expended spells into power, Chasm Skulker rewards you for something as fundamental as drawing cards, illustrating varied paths to incremental advantage. Notably, Nivmagus Elemental’s instant-speed activation allows for versatile interactions during gameplay, a tactical edge not shared by all of its counterparts.

In essence, while there are other cards that synergize with specific actions to grow in power, Nivmagus Elemental stands out with its singular ability to absorb spells, offering a distinct way to utilize resources and alter the course of the game.

Quirion Dryad - MTG Card versions
Wild Cantor - MTG Card versions
Chasm Skulker - MTG Card versions
Quirion Dryad - MTG Card versions
Wild Cantor - MTG Card versions
Chasm Skulker - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Nivmagus Elemental by color, type and mana cost

Electric Eel - MTG Card versions
Stream Hopper - MTG Card versions
Blistercoil Weird - MTG Card versions
Captive Weird // Compleated Conjurer - MTG Card versions
Electric Eel - MTG Card versions
Stream Hopper - MTG Card versions
Blistercoil Weird - MTG Card versions
Captive Weird // Compleated Conjurer - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Simic InfectSimic Infect ModernVenerated RotpriestPachanga Trial ACUP Domingo
Boros BlitzBoros Blitz ModernBoros ProwessPachanga Trial ACUP Sbado
Naya BlitzNaya Blitz ModernNaya Prowess1 Torneio - 10 Liga Arena Guardians

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Playing Nivmagus Elemental offers a unique route to card advantage. While it doesn’t let you draw more cards, it can utilize spells that would otherwise be countered or unneeded, turning them into permanent power and toughness boosts on the creature itself.

Resource Acceleration: This card might not accelerate your mana resources directly, but it efficiently converts spells into combat potential. By exiling spells you control, it ‘accelerates’ your board presence, which can be as impactful as ramping your mana in certain game states.

Instant Speed: One of the standout features of Nivmagus Elemental is its ability to interact at instant speed. This means you can respond to your opponent’s actions during their turn by exiling instant spells you control, surprising your opponent and disrupting their plans while strengthening your Elemental.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Nivmagus Elemental demands a play style where you must exile an instant or sorcery spell you control, which can be disruptive. This mechanic forces players to forfeit their own spells, which could have been more effective if resolved, potentially leading to a loss of valuable cards and momentum in the game.

Specific Mana Cost: Nivmagus Elemental has a hybrid mana cost that requires either blue or red mana, which can restrict deck-building options. This can be particularly challenging in formats where mana flexibility and consistency are crucial to success, such as in multi-colored or less focused decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While the activation cost to exile a spell and put two +1/+1 counters on Nivmagus Elemental may seem low, it requires having a suitable instant or sorcery to exile. This can lead to situations where the mana invested in both the Elemental and the spells used for its ability might exceed the value gained, especially compared to other creatures or spells at a similar cost level that have an immediate impact on the board.


Reasons to Include Nivmagus Elemental in Your Collection

Versatility: Nivmagus Elemental offers flexibility in deck construction, easily slotting into aggressive strategies with its capability to grow swiftly. It’s a solid one-drop creature that can capitalise on unused instants or sorceries, potentially turning them into power on the battlefield.

Combo Potential: This creature thrives in decks that focus on casting multiple spells in a single turn. It can serve as a secondary win condition, interacting with various combo-centric strategies and synergetic cards that amplify its growth mechanic for a surprising offensive capability.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where counter spells or removal are prevalent, Nivmagus Elemental gains additional value. It can effectively “eat” spells targeted by an opponent’s counters, thereby nullifying the opposing disruption and turning it into an advantage for the player by powering up the Elemental.


How to beat

Nivmagus Elemental is a unique card that offers players the ability to exile an instant or sorcery spell they control to put two +1/+1 counters on it. It’s a strategy that can quickly turn this card into a formidable creature. To counter such a threat, the key is to minimize the target’s opportunities for exiling spells. Removing the spell before it’s exiled using countermagic can leave the Elemental without the necessary fuel to grow. Alternatively, restricting the player’s ability to cast multiple cheap spells in a single turn by applying pressure or using removal on the Elemental before it becomes too large can also be effective.

For players facing Nivmagus Elemental, it’s important to employ a strategy that includes spot removal, preferably spells with low mana costs. Cards such as Path to Exile or Fatal Push can dispatch the Elemental efficiently without leaving time for it to be buffed. Moreover, since the Elemental thrives on the casting of instant and sorcery spells, utilizing cards that tax or counter those particular spell types can hinder the Elemental’s growth. In essence, maintaining control over the stack and the battlefield is critical when dealing with Nivmagus Elemental.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Nivmagus Elemental MTG card by a specific set like Return to Ravnica, 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 Nivmagus Elemental and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Nivmagus Elemental has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2012-10-01 Exiling a spell is not the same as countering it, although the spell won’t resolve in both cases. You may exile a spell that can’t be countered.
2012-10-01 You can exile a copy of an instant or sorcery spell to activate Nivmagus Elemental’s ability if you control the copy.
2012-10-01 You exile an instant or sorcery spell you control from the stack, not an instant or sorcery card in any other zone.