Nyx Herald MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Enchantment Creature — Centaur Shaman
Released	2020-01-24
Set symbol
Set name	Theros Beyond Death
Set code	THB
Power	2
Toughness	3
Number	189
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Mark Zug

Key Takeaways

Gains card advantage by merging two cards’ abilities when boosting enchantment creatures.
Offers resource acceleration, aiding in quicker spell deployment and game control.
Encourages tactical flexibility, leveraging combat timing to surprise foes.

Text of card

At the beginning of combat on your turn, target enchanted creature or enchantment creature you control gets +1/+1 and gains trample until end of turn.

"A piercing call, bright as the stars, rang out across the valley, calling the Pheres band to war, to blood and savagery." —Luphea of Setessa, *Histories*

Card Pros

Card Advantage: When delving into the world of Theros, one aspect a player values is gaining an edge over their opponent through superior card economy. This is where the strategic synergy of the Nyx Herald enhances your case. Each time you engage it to empower another enchantment creature, not only do you strengthen your board presence, but the inherent mechanics of Nyx Herald suggest potential card advantage as you effectively harness the power of two cards within a single action.

Resource Acceleration: The celestial landscape of Theros is abundant with mana, and Nyx Herald stands as a beacon of resource acceleration. By bestowing its blessing onto another enchanted creature, it potentially increases the benefit you receive from that creature, be it through additional mana generation or other amplified abilities, giving you a faster route to deploy your most impactful spells and take control of the game.

Instant Speed: In the tactical dance of MTG, timing is crucial. While the Nyx Herald itself does not act at instant speed, it prompts you to adapt your gameplay to be receptive to the dynamic flow of combat. The ability to utilize other instants or flash enchantments in conjunction with the Herald’s ability to boost the potency of your enchantment creatures at a moment’s notice gives you the tactical flexibility that can catch unwary opponents off guard, turning the tides in your favor.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Nyx Herald requires players to discard a card as part of its casting cost. This can be a significant drawback when your hand is already depleted. Strategizing to ensure you have expendable cards can be a challenge, especially in tight gameplay where every card counts.

Specific Mana Cost: This card’s mana cost is stringent, requiring not only a specific amount but also specific types of mana. It demands a commitment to green mana sources, which could limit deck-building options and may not be ideal for multicolor strategies lacking sufficient mana fixing.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Nyx Herald offers certain benefits, when you consider the mana investment, there may be alternative creatures or spells that provide more cost-effective solutions. Its mana cost can make it a less attractive option in fast-paced games where mana efficiency is crucial for outpacing opponents.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Nyx Herald can seamlessly adapt to various deck themes, particularly those revolving around enchantment creatures or boosting the presence of your creatures on the battlefield.

Combo Potential: This card serves as a catalyst for enchantment synergies, potentially amplifying the prowess of constellation mechanics or bolstering enchantment-based combos with its ability to enhance your creatures’ power.

Meta-Relevance: Within an environment where enchantment-heavy decks are prevalent, Nyx Herald stands out by providing a persistent on-board advantage that can swiftly tilt the match in your favor.

How to beat

Nyx Herald is a staple in many enchantment-based decks within Magic: The Gathering, taking center stage among creatures that can bolster creatures with enchantments. Its ability to pump up a designated creature every turn makes it an attractive option for players building around that strategy. To gain the upper hand against Nyx Herald, it’s imperative to disrupt this synergy early in the game. Creature removal spells are particularly effective, as they can neutralize the Herald before it begins enhancing other creatures on the battlefield.

Additionally, countering a Nyx Herald as it hits the stack can prevent its abilities from ever taking effect. This preemptive strategy is especially useful in formats where the tempo of the game is crucial. Board wipes can also be a clean and efficient way to clear the battlefield of Nyx Herald along with other threats your opponent has developed, resetting the stage to your advantage. Managing the battlefield and staying one step ahead of the Herald’s influence can secure your path to victory.

It’s essential to remember that each strategy requires a solid understanding of timing and resource management to be successful. Knowing when to play that critical removal or counter spell makes all the difference in overcoming challenges like Nyx Herald on your path to triumph in Magic: The Gathering.

Cards like Nyx Herald

Nyx Herald is an intriguing enchantment creature card in MTG that buffs other enchantment creatures in your arsenal. It’s much akin to cards like Starfield Mystic, which also provide cost reductions for enchantments. Nyx Herald goes a step further, strengthening another enchantment creature when it attacks. Starfield Mystic doesn’t buff creatures, but it does have the added benefit of putting an enchantment card from your graveyard to the battlefield when it dies.

Another relative in this space is the Satyr Enchanter. While this card doesn’t offer the power boost like Nyx Herald, it grants you the advantage of drawing a card whenever you cast an enchantment spell. This can lead to significant card advantage over time. However, it lacks the immediate board impact that an attack-buff like Nyx Herald’s can bring. Nessian Wanderer, sharing a thematic similarity, lacks Nyx Herald’s aggressive angle but helps ensure land drops by revealing lands when enchantments are cast.

Overall, when balancing out card synergies and immediate versus long-term advantages, Nyx Herald makes its mark as an aggressor among enchantment creatures, carving out its unique niche.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Nyx Herald MTG card by a specific set like Theros Beyond Death, 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 Nyx Herald and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Nyx Herald has restrictions

Format	Legality
Historicbrawl	Legal
Historic	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Restricted
Oathbreaker	Legal
Gladiator	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Commander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Explorer	Legal
Penny	Legal
Timeless	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2020-01-24	Once Nyx Herald’s ability resolves, the creature keeps +1/+1 and trample even if it stops being enchanted later in the turn (or, in some unusual cases, stops being an enchantment).