Niblis of the Urn MTG Card


Niblis of the Urn - Dark Ascension
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Spirit
Abilities Flying
Released2012-02-03
Set symbol
Set nameDark Ascension
Set codeDKA
Power 1
Toughness 1
Number16
Frame2003
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byIgor Kieryluk

Key Takeaways

  1. Disrupts opponents without sacrificing card advantage, offering subtle yet meaningful control during the game.
  2. Instant speed interaction provides gameplay flexibility and can shift the tide of combat in your favor.
  3. Specific mana cost and high cost-to-power ratio may limit the card’s inclusion in diverse deck strategies.

Text of card

Flying Whenever Niblis of the Urn attacks, you may tap target creature.

"I never had the nerve to open that bottle. I'll bet you're wishing right now you hadn't been so curious yourself." —Old Rutstein


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Niblis of the Urn can disrupt your opponent’s best-laid plans without costing you extra cards. When used effectively, the card’s ability can act as a pseudo card advantage, as it keeps opposing creatures from connecting, allowing you to maintain control of the game.

Resource Acceleration: While Niblis of the Urn doesn’t directly generate additional resources, it can help you accelerate your board presence. By tapping potential blockers, this card allows your other creatures to swing in safely, which enables you to close out games more quickly and use your mana and resources efficiently for game-winning moves.

Instant Speed: Niblis of the Urn’s ability operates at instant speed, which gives you the flexibility to disrupt your opponent’s attacks or defenses during their turn. This flexibility keeps your opponents guessing and can lead to advantageous trades or preserve your life total during critical moments of play.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One limitation players face with Niblis of the Urn is the need to maintain card advantage. While the creature itself doesn’t require discarding, its effectiveness is often enhanced when combined with other cards that do, potentially decreasing your hand size at an inopportune time.

Specific Mana Cost: Niblis of the Urn requires a specific mana combination to cast, needing both white and generic mana. This requirement can be restrictive and doesn’t always align with more flexible mana bases, particularly in multi-color decks where the exact mana mix isn’t always readily available.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that is considered somewhat high for its 1/1 stats, there are times when Niblis of the Urn may not be the most mana-efficient play. Players often weigh its deploy against other creatures or spells that could provide a greater impact on the game’s board state for the same, or even lower, mana investment.


Reasons to Include Niblis of the Urn in Your Collection

Versatility: Niblis of the Urn offers a unique blend of control by tapping potential blockers or attackers. This utility makes it a valuable addition to decks focused on maintaining board advantage or requiring subtle disruption against opponents.

Combo Potential: Its ability to tap creatures opens up synergies with cards that capitalize on tapped status conditions, enabling more intricate and potentially game-winning combinations.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta filled with creature-heavy decks, Niblis of the Urn shines by effectively limiting opponent maneuvers and swinging the tide in favor of a well-timed air assault or defensive hold.


How to beat

Niblis of the Urn is a card that can pose a strategic nuisance on the battleground due to its tap ability that can disrupt opponents’ creatures. Particularly effective in a deck that prioritizes control, Niblis of the Urn requires a thoughtful approach to defeat. Players looking to maintain the upper hand should consider including cards that grant hexproof or shroud to protect their creatures and shut down the tapping ability. Additionally, removal spells are highly effective against Niblis of the Urn; since it has flying, spells that can target flying creatures or destroy creatures outright will help clear the way for your attacks.

Deploying creatures with haste can also be advantageous, as they can apply pressure before Niblis of the Urn has the chance to tap them. Moreover, utilizing instant-speed spells allows you to adapt to the situation on the fly, potentially saving key creatures or removing Niblis of the Urn before it can become a problem. Board sweepers are another route, wiping out all creatures and ensuring the Niblis of the Urn doesn’t stick around to hinder your game plan. Ultimately, well-timed removal and safeguarding your creatures will greatly increase your chances of overcoming the tactical challenge posed by Niblis of the Urn.


Cards like Niblis of the Urn

Niblis of the Urn continues the legacy of white cards in MTG that play a key role in controlling the battlefield. Echoing the abilities of cards like Gideon’s Lawkeeper, Niblis of the Urn offers the power to tap opposing creatures and effectively hinder combat strategies. However, unlike Gideon’s Lawkeeper, which requires mana to activate its tapping ability, Niblis of the Urn brings its ability into play passively during the attack phase, adding a layer of automatic control.

Tapping creatures without the need for mana is reminiscent of cards like Blinding Mage. However, the distinction here is the scope of influence; Blinding Mage can affect the battle at any time, for a cost, while Niblis of the Urn specializes in offensive play by only targeting creatures when it attacks. When it comes to combat efficiency, Avacynian Priest can tap any non-Human creature, but Niblis of the Urn doesn’t discriminate, allowing for a broader range of targets.

Thus, Niblis of the Urn commands a particular niche as an aerial threat that can disrupt enemy lines, making it a strategic addition for players who value sustained board control with minimal mana investment during their offensive turns.

Gideon's Lawkeeper - MTG Card versions
Blinding Mage - MTG Card versions
Avacynian Priest - MTG Card versions
Gideon's Lawkeeper - MTG Card versions
Blinding Mage - MTG Card versions
Avacynian Priest - MTG Card versions

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Angelic Page - MTG Card versions
Avenger en-Dal - MTG Card versions
Spirit Weaver - MTG Card versions
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Stoneforge Mystic - MTG Card versions
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Longbow Archer - MTG Card versions
Silverflame Squire // On Alert - MTG Card versions
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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Niblis of the Urn MTG card by a specific set like Dark Ascension, 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 Niblis of the Urn and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Niblis of the Urn has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PennyLegal

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