Nirkana Revenant MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost6
RarityMythic
TypeCreature — Vampire Shade
Power 4
Toughness 4

Key Takeaways

  1. Nirkana Revenant boosts black mana and pressures opponents, transforming Swamps into strategic assets.
  2. It supports high-cost spells and complex strategies, offering immediate and flexible mana acceleration.
  3. Be mindful of its high casting cost and specific mana requirements which may hinder some decks.

Text of card

Whenever you tap a Swamp for mana, add to your mana pool (in addition to the mana the land produces). : Nirkana Revenant gets +1/+1 until end of turn.

Hate is an everlasting wellspring from which it is eternally sustained.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Nirkana Revenant shines as a powerhouse in any deck seeking to gain card advantage through sheer creature presence. Its ability to beef up your mana pool for each Swamp you tap not only puts you ahead in resources but also pressures opponents, as the Revenant transforms your land base into a formidable asset.

Resource Acceleration: This vampire spirit takes land-based resource acceleration to the next level. As you tap Swamps for the additional black mana, it fuels more expansive and powerful spells. This synergizes well with high-cost cards or complex strategies that demand a significant amount of mana, enabling a quicker execution of your game plan.

Instant Speed: While Nirkana Revenant itself is not an instant, its mana amplification effect operates at the speed of your lands, making it immediately beneficial. It allows you to maximize mana efficiency by expanding your pool at any time you tap a Swamp, giving you the speed and flexibility needed to make game-changing moves on the fly.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Although Nirkana Revenant offers significant mana ramp, it does not come without a drawback. Players need to be aware that utilizing its ability requires discarding a card. This could prove to be a substantial disadvantage, especially in tight situations where hand resources are already strained.

Specific Mana Cost: Nirkana Revenant demands a specific and heavy amount of black mana. This cost requirement makes it a challenging fit for multicolored decks or those that cannot ensure a stable source of black mana throughout the game.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that’s on the higher end, Nirkana Revenant’s benefits might be questioned when compared to other creatures or spells within the same mana range. While its ability to double black mana can be powerful, the initial investment to get the Revenant on the field may slow down your early-game momentum.


Reasons to Include Nirkana Revenant in Your Collection

Versatility: Nirkana Revenant has a place in any deck that thrives on ample mana resources. Its ability to double black mana production makes it a powerhouse in mono-black or black-heavy decks, creating opportunities for massive plays each turn.

Combo Potential: This card not only bolsters your mana pool but also scales in power with each swamp you tap. Combine it with cards that untap lands or proliferate counters, and you’ve got a recipe for some serious combo execution that can dominate the battlefield.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where long games and big spells are common, Nirkana Revenant shines by providing the sustained mana needed to cast game-changing spells and sustain strategies built on costly abilities. As the game progresses, this card’s presence only becomes more intimidating to your opponents.


How to beat

Nirkana Revenant is a powerful creature in Magic: The Gathering, known for boosting your mana and packing a serious punch. Many players may find themselves at a loss when this imposing card hits the battlefield due to its ability to ramp up black mana production and grow stronger for each swamp you tap. However, there are strategies to undermine its strengths.

Dealing with the Nirkana Revenant starts with prevention. Counterspells can stop it from entering the field altogether. If it manages to land, instant-speed removal spells are your go-to answer. It may require an investment of more mana or a higher-quality spell, but removing the Revenant before it can build an overwhelming board presence is key. Direct damage might not always be sufficient due to its potential size, so look for removal that doesn’t rely on damage.

Exile effects, or cards causing players to sacrifice creatures, sidestep the Revenant’s toughness. It’s also beneficial to attack the player’s mana base, reducing the swamp-count and thus the Revenant’s power. By utilizing these approaches and keeping the pressure on, you can level the playing field and prevent the Nirkana Revenant from dominating the match.


BurnMana Recommendations

If optimizing your MTG deck is on your agenda, the Nirkana Revenant deserves your attention. Offering relentless mana ramp and the potential to overpower your opponent, it can change the tides of the game in your favor. Be mindful of its high mana cost and the necessary strategic setup to wield its power effectively. Whether you’re constructing a new deck or refining an existing one, consider how this card can elevate your play. Curious about integrating Nirkana Revenant or identifying alternatives that match your style? Dive deeper with us and unlock the full potential of your MTG collection.


Cards like Nirkana Revenant

In examining Nirkana Revenant’s role in the MTG landscape, we can draw comparisons to Crypt Ghast, another powerful card that doubles Swamp-based mana. Whereas Nirkana Revenant offers both mana acceleration and a formidable body, Crypt Ghast provides players with extort, a means to whittle down opponents’ life totals while enhancing one’s own. However, Nirkana Revenant stands out with its ability to grow in power with each land, turning it into a significant threat on the board.

Another comparable card is Magus of the Coffers. Much like Nirkana Revenant, Magus of the Coffers can generate large amounts of mana, albeit only as a tap ability rather than the passive boost Nirkana Revenant provides. Nirkana Revenant grants mana ramp just by tapping Swamps for mana without needing to commit to a tap ability, thereby allowing for more strategic flexibility during your turn.

When one considers the combination of scaling power and efficient mana production, Nirkana Revenant establishes itself as a valuable asset in any deck it joins. It combines the best aspects of mana acceleration with offensive capabilities, positioning it as a formidable inclusion in MTG’s pantheon of powerful creatures.

Crypt Ghast - MTG Card versions
Magus of the Coffers - MTG Card versions
Crypt Ghast - MTG Card versions
Magus of the Coffers - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Nirkana Revenant MTG card by a specific set like Rise of the Eldrazi and Battlebond, 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 Nirkana Revenant and other MTG cards:

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Printings

The Nirkana Revenant Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2010-04-23 and 2021-11-19. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12010-04-23Rise of the EldraziROE 1202003NormalBlackIgor Kieryluk
22018-06-08BattlebondBBD 1502015NormalBlackIgor Kieryluk
32021-11-19Crimson Vow CommanderVOC 1342015NormalBlackLivia Prima

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Nirkana Revenant has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Recent MTG decks

Continue exploring other format decks
See more decks