Norwood Priestess MTG Card
1998-06-24 - Number 137
2014-06-16 - Number 221
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Elf Druid |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
On your turn, before you attack, you may tap Norwood Priestess to put any green creature from your hand into play without paying for it.
Cards like Norwood Priestess
Norwood Priestess is a green creature that brings a unique ability to the table in MTG. It enables players to put a green creature card directly onto the battlefield, bypassing the traditional casting process. A comparable card is Elvish Piper, which shares this same feature, though it’s not restricted to green creatures. The Norwood Priestess, however, has the advantage of not tapping when the ability is used, unlike the Elvish Piper which requires a tap.
Another familiar face in this niche is Quicksilver Amulet. While this artifact offers more flexibility in creature choice, not limited by color, it demands both a tap and four mana to activate. Here, Norwood Priestess gains an edge with a cost-free ability activation, fostering a potentially decisive tempo gain. Yet another card to mention is Champion of Rhonas, which also permits the cheating of creatures into play, but this relies upon the card exerting as it attacks, introducing a delay and unpredictability that Norwood Priestess does not have.
Examining these comparisons, Norwood Priestess stands out among its MTG peers for its color-specific but cost-effective and versatile creature deployment, granting green decks an accelerated and unpredictable element sure to surprise opponents.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Norwood Priestess provides a tactical edge by bypassing mana costs and summoning sickness to put green creature cards into play. This enables a player to utilize their deck’s potential more efficiently and outpace opponents through superior board presence.
Resource Acceleration: By enabling the deployment of green creatures without tapping mana, Norwood Priestess acts as a formidable resource accelerator. This capability allows players to save mana for other crucial spells and abilities, optimizing their turns and giving them a strategic advantage.
Instant Speed: The Priestess’s ability functions at instant speed, meaning players can wait until the most opportune moment during the match to deploy their creatures. This flexibility can catch an opponent off guard and significantly shift the tide of the game.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Leveraging the ability of Norwood Priestess typically necessitates a creature card in hand to put onto the battlefield, potentially diminishing your hand size and affecting your on-hand options during the game.
Specific Mana Cost: Norwood Priestess requires a precise combination of mana to cast—specifically, one green mana. This means decks that don’t consistently generate green mana may struggle to play this card effectively.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a conversion cost that includes four mana, players may consider the cost for summoning the Priestess on the higher side. This is especially relevant when other cards offer similar or greater utility at a lesser mana commitment.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Norwood Priestess is a unique card that can be slotted into various green-centric decks. Its ability to put a green creature onto the battlefield bypasses casting costs, making it a flexible play to surprise your opponents.
Combo Potential: The Priestess shines in combinations, particularly with heavy-hitting green creatures. Imagine summoning a Craterhoof Behemoth for instant battlefield impact, all without tapping a single land for mana.
Meta-Relevance: In formats where green creature decks are prominent, this card can provide a considerable edge. Its capability to put massive threats into play at instant speed aligns perfectly with the current competitive play, where quick, decisive actions often lead to victory.
How to beat
The Norwood Priestess is an intriguing card in the universe of Magic: The Gathering. She’s known for enabling players to put a green creature card into play without paying its mana cost; an ability swiftly turning the tides of any game. However, there are strategic ways to counter this woodland conjurer’s prowess.
Cards with the ability to counter creatures, such as Counterspell or Essence Scatter, can be invaluable. Having these in your deck ensures that you could stop the Priestess’s effect the moment she tries to bring a creature into play. Removal spells are another sound strategy. Instant-speed options like Path to Exile or Rapid Hybridization can dispose of the Priestess before she gets the chance to use her ability, neutralizing the threat immediately.
Finally, don’t underestimate the power of board control. Cards that restrict the ability to cast spells or activate abilities, like Cursed Totem or Linvala, Keeper of Silence, can effectively muzzle the Priestess. By anticipating her arrival and preparing your deck with these solutions, you keep your opponent’s strategy at bay and maintain the upper hand.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Norwood Priestess MTG card by a specific set like Portal Second Age and Vintage Masters, 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 Norwood Priestess 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 Norwood Priestess Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1998-06-24 and 2014-06-16. Illustrated by Melissa A. Benson.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1998-06-24 | Portal Second Age | P02 | 137 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Melissa A. Benson | |
| 2 | 2014-06-16 | Vintage Masters | VMA | 221 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Melissa A. Benson |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Norwood Priestess has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Norwood Priestess card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2013-09-20 | If a turn has multiple combat phases, the ability can only be activated before the beginning of the declare attackers step of the first combat phase in that turn. |