Novijen Sages MTG Card

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Novijen Sages comes equipped with a built-in mechanism to sustain card flow. This creature’s ability to graft and later convert +1/+1 counters into extra card draws grants you the upper hand by filling your hand with more options and strategies to outmaneuver your opponents.

Resource Acceleration: In the realm of MTG, effective use of mana can dictate the pace of the game. The Novijen Sages, through its graft ability, provides a tactical advantage by enhancing other creatures on the battlefield, which can lead to faster and more impactful plays, propelling you ahead in the game.

Instant Speed: While Novijen Sages itself does not operate at instant speed, its ability to manipulate counters can be synchronized with other cards in your deck that operate at instant speed. This adaptability allows you to carefully plan your moves and react swiftly to the changing state of the battlefield, ensuring that your resources are utilized at the most opportune moments.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Novijen Sages comes with a discard requirement to activate its ability. This can be a setback especially if your hand is already running low on cards and you’re trying to maintain card advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: The mana cost to cast Novijen Sages is quite specific, demanding two blue mana. This can restrict its inclusion to decks that are heavily blue or have a mana base tailored to accommodate such costs without affecting the deck’s overall mana curve.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of six mana, Novijen Sages is on the higher end of the mana spectrum. Considering its abilities, players often weigh its inclusion against other cards in the same mana range which might offer more immediate impact or versatility on the battlefield.

Reasons to Include Novijen Sages in Your Collection

Versatility: Novijen Sages offers players the ability to adapt to various game scenarios. Its graft ability lets you move +1/+1 counters to different creatures, making it a flexible addition to decks focusing on counter mechanics or proliferate strategies. Whether you’re empowering a single creature or spreading the strength across your board, it tailors to the ebb and flow of the battlefield.

Combo Potential: The real charm of Novijen Sages lies in its combination potential. This card synergizes with mechanics that profit from having +1/+1 counters like modular or evolve. It also acts as an engine in combos that require card draw by removing +1/+1 counters for repeatable card advantage, which could tip the scales in your favor during a prolonged match.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where incremental advantages lead to victory, Novijen Sages shines. When agility and long-game strategies are paramount, this card’s ability to generate additional resources while bolstering your ranks can be invaluable, ensuring its relevance in evolving metas while maintaining a solid spot in Simic and counter-themed decks.

How to beat Novijen Sages

Overcoming Novijen Sages in a game of Magic: The Gathering requires strategic plays and well-timed removals. As a creature that lets its controller bolster their board by amassing +1/+1 counters, Novijen Sages can become quite a formidable opponent if left unchecked. To effectively counter this creature, one tactic is to deploy instant-speed removal spells before the opponent has the chance to utilize its graft and draw abilities. Spot removal cards like Doom Blade or Path to Exile work efficiently to remove Novijen Sages from the battlefield before it becomes too great a threat.

Another method to combat this creature is by restricting your opponent’s ability to generate the mana necessary to activate Novijen Sages’ abilities. Cards like Damping Sphere can stifle your opponent’s mana development, while creature counters, such as Essence Scatter when Novijen Sages is cast, ensure it never hits the field. Counteracting it early is crucial to prevent the incremental advantage it can produce. Additionally, playing aggressively can force an opponent to block with Novijen Sages, potentially sacrificing it in the process. Remember, staying proactive and aware of your opponent’s mana pool can turn the tides against Novijen Sages.