Nullmage Advocate MTG Card
2002-05-27 - Number 126
2012-06-01 - Number 70
2016-11-25 - Number 70
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Insect Druid |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
oc T: Return two target cards in an opponent's graveyard to his or her hand. Destroy target artifact or enchantment.
"Our unity unmasks your deceit."
Cards like Nullmage Advocate
Nullmage Advocate stands out in the pantheon of utility creatures within MTG. It finds its kinship with cards like Vedalken Aethermage which offers the versatility of returning a creature to its owner’s hand. However, Nullmage Advocate takes it a step further by allowing players to return two target cards from their graveyard to an opponent’s hand to destroy a target artifact or enchantment. This can be a pivotal maneuver in disrupting your opponent’s strategies.
Another comparison is with Reclamation Sage, a green staple that also provides an answer to artifacts and enchantments. Reclamation Sage has the advantage of not requiring any additional cost to destroy a target noncreature permanent upon entering the battlefield. This is unlike Nullmage Advocate, which requires a strategic exchange with an opponent. Consequently, in games where the graveyard is less relevant, Reclamation Sage might be preferred for its straightforward utility.
Lastly, Uktabi Orangutan shares a similar function with Nullmage Advocate by offering an artifact and enchantment removal upon its entry. The key difference lies in the reuse potential; Nullmage Advocate can be used multiple times, enhancing long-term play value, particularly in games that lean heavily on the back-and-forth of graveyard interactions.
Cards similar to Nullmage Advocate by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Nullmage Advocate offers a unique take on card advantage, allowing you to return cards from an opponent’s graveyard to their hand in exchange for destroying problematic artifacts or enchantments. This can be particularly effective in disrupting your opponent’s game plan while selectively returning cards that are less of a threat to you.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly accelerating your own resources, the Nullmage Advocate can indirectly affect the pace of the game. By carefully choosing which cards to return to your opponent’s hand, you can impede their resource acceleration, giving you a subtle upper hand in the resource management aspect of the game.
Instant Speed: As a creature, the Nullmage Advocate does not operate at instant speed itself. However, its ability to destroy artifacts or enchantments can be activated at any time you could cast an instant, providing the flexibility to respond to threats or negotiate during an opponent’s turn for strategic advantage.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Nullmage Advocate demands that you return two cards from an opponent’s graveyard to their hand in order to activate its ability. It can be counterproductive to give your opponent resources back, especially if they can reuse those cards effectively.
Specific Mana Cost: This creature card requires a specific combination of mana, one green plus two of any other color. This requirement may not fit seamlessly in decks that are heavy in other colors or require a leaner, colorless mana base to function optimally.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana for a creature that offers a 2/1 body and a conditional ability, it’s on the higher end compared to other utility creatures in MTG. There are options with similar or lower costs that can provide more immediate or impactful effects on the game without benefiting your opponent.
Reasons to Include Nullmage Advocate in Your Collection
Versatility: Nullmage Advocate serves multiple roles on the battlefield. Not only does it act as creature control by destroying problematic artifacts and enchantments, but it also aids in political maneuvering in multiplayer formats by returning cards to opponents’ hands.
Combo Potential: With this card, you can easily set up graveyard strategies or loops. Its ability to return cards from graveyards to hands pairs well with various strategies, both enabling your own and disrupting opponents’ plans.
Meta-Relevance: As the game evolves, flexible answers like Nullmage Advocate remain relevant. It can adapt to various metagames where artifacts and enchantments play key roles, providing a strategic edge in matchups where these card types are prevalent.
How to beat Nullmage Advocate
Nullmage Advocate is a unique card in MTG that brings a distinct tactical advantage to the table. This card stands out for its ability to return two target cards from an opponent’s graveyard to their hand, with the trade-off being the destruction of any target artifact or enchantment. It’s a strategic tool that offers both utility and a potential downside for the player utilizing it.
When facing an opponent wielding Nullmage Advocate, your approach should hinge on minimizing the upside they derive from its ability. One strategy is to keep your graveyard lean, ensuring that any cards they return to your hand are less impactful. Alternatively, leveraging decks that capitalize on enchantment and artifact strategies can mitigate the effectiveness of Nullmage Advocate’s ability, since losing a single asset won’t significantly disrupt your game plan. Also, since it’s a creature, conventional removal spells remain an effective way to handle Nullmage Advocate before it can significantly alter the board state.
Overall, it’s essential to carefully consider what kind of decks you’re playing against. If you anticipate interacting with Nullmage Advocate, tailor your strategy to either exploit its downside for your benefit or to limit its utility through strategic deck construction and smart in-game decisions.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Nullmage Advocate MTG card by a specific set like Judgment and Planechase 2012, 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 Nullmage Advocate 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 Nullmage Advocate Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2002-05-27 and 2016-11-25. Illustrated by Darrell Riche.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2002-05-27 | Judgment | JUD | 126 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Darrell Riche | |
| 2 | 2012-06-01 | Planechase 2012 | PC2 | 70 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Darrell Riche | |
| 3 | 2016-11-25 | Planechase Anthology | PCA | 70 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Darrell Riche |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Nullmage Advocate has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Nullmage Advocate card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2004-10-04 | You can’t activate this ability unless a single opponent has at least two cards in their graveyard to target. |