Novijen, Heart of Progress MTG Card
2006-05-05 - Number 175
2015-11-13 - Number 296
2021-04-23 - Number 305
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Land |
Text of card
: Add to your mana pool. , : Put a +1/+1 counter on each creature that came into play this turn.
"The unnatural pressures of life in this city are best withstood by lifeforms that adapt with unnatural swiftness." —Momir Vig
Cards like Novijen, Heart of Progress
Novijen, Heart of Progress occupies a niche role in Magic: The Gathering as a land that can substantially boost the power of creatures. Like Llanowar Reborn, Novijen offers the ability to place +1/+1 counters on creatures, though Llanowar Reborn does so through Graft and only when the creature enters the battlefield. Novijen, however, provides flexibility, allowing you to trigger its ability at any time you can pay the cost.
Oran-Rief, the Vastwood parallels Novijen in its function to enhance creatures. Oran-Rief, however, specifically targets green creatures and does so in a more limited scope—only when they have just entered the battlefield this turn. This distinction makes Novijen a more versatile option for players not dedicated to a green creature strategy.
Comparatively speaking, Novijen stands out among other lands with similar capabilities. It can be the deciding factor in a tight match, where immediate and multiple +1/+1 counters can turn the tide. This makes Novijen a critical inclusion in decks that capitalize on counter manipulation and are looking for a land slot that contributes directly to their strategy’s potency.
Cards similar to Novijen, Heart of Progress by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Novijen, Heart of Progress enhances your board presence by empowering your creatures, effectively working as a force multiplier. This card allows you to invest mana into a sturdy board position rather than spending cards from your hand, helping you conserve resources and maintain card advantage.
Resource Acceleration: As a land, Novijen doesn’t just contribute to mana consistency; it acts as a secondary engine for creature growth, giving you the freedom to escalate your offensive capabilities without depending on spell-based boosts. This resource acceleration can be a decisive factor in pressurizing your opponent and speeding up your strategy’s timeline.
Instant Speed: Novijen’s ability to be activated at instant speed provides significant strategic flexibility, granting you the power to respond to threats or enhance your creatures right before damage is dealt during combat. This adaptability can catch opponents off-guard, turning seemingly innocuous creatures into substantial threats in the blink of an eye.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Novijen, Heart of Progress does not directly call for discarding cards; however, its utility may compel players to sacrifice card advantage to make optimal use of its ability. This could lead to a disadvantage in later game stages if your hand becomes depleted too rapidly.
Specific Mana Cost: This land’s activation cost requires not just generic mana but also a blue and a green mana. This specificity necessitates a firm commitment to both colors, potentially restricting its integration into decks that aren’t built around Simic (green-blue) colors.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Leveraging Novijen, Heart of Progress’s ability comes with a notable mana investment. While it can certainly enhance your creatures’ prowess, there are scenarios where such a cost may prove inhibitive, particularly when competing for your mana resources against other impactful plays within the same turn.
Reasons to Include Novijen, Heart of Progress in Your Collection
Versatility: Novijen, Heart of Progress is adaptable to many strategies, fitting perfectly in decks that focus on +1/+1 counters. Whether you’re empowering a single creature or diversifying your threats, this land offers a valuable boost without taking up a spell slot.
Combo Potential: This card shines when paired with effects that proliferate or creatures that benefit from having additional counters. It can become the lynchpin of intricate combos, turning an average board state into a dominant one with just one activation.
Meta-Relevance: In a game where creature-based strategies are prevalent, Novijen can give you the edge by scaling your creatures’ power and toughness. As such, it remains a relevant choice for anyone looking to stay competitive while utilizing counter-centric decks.
How to beat
Novijen, Heart of Progress presents a unique challenge to players in Magic: The Gathering. This land isn’t just a source of mana; it’s also a catalyst for +1/+1 counters, significantly boosting the power of creatures at a moment’s notice. Facing this card requires a tactical approach and a good understanding of the game’s tempo.
To effectively counter Novijen, strategic use of land destruction or counter abilities can be key. Employing cards like Ghost Quarter to disrupt your opponent’s mana base takes Novijen out of play. Alternatively, direct removal spells such as Acidic Slime offer a dual threat by providing a creature presence while dealing with problematic lands. Remember, timing removal or disruption when your opponent is tapped out can ensure your actions go uncontested, providing a clear advantage.
Moreover, restricting the number of creatures that can benefit from Novijen’s ability is crucial. Board wipes or spot removals can help maintain a manageable state of play. Strategies that limit your opponent’s creature count can prevent the exponential growth that Novijen aims to facilitate, ultimately leading to a more controlled and less threatening board state against this dynamic land.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Novijen, Heart of Progress MTG card by a specific set like Dissension and Commander 2015, 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 Novijen, Heart of Progress 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
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Printings
The Novijen, Heart of Progress Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2006-05-05 and 2021-04-23. Illustrated by Martina Pilcerova.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2006-05-05 | Dissension | DIS | 175 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Martina Pilcerova | |
| 2 | 2015-11-13 | Commander 2015 | C15 | 296 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Martina Pilcerova | |
| 3 | 2021-04-23 | Commander 2021 | C21 | 305 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Martina Pilcerova |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Novijen, Heart of Progress has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Novijen, Heart of Progress card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2006-05-01 | The second ability puts a counter on each applicable creature regardless of who controls it. |