Norritt MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Imp
Released	1995-06-03
Set symbol
Set name	Ice Age
Set code	ICE
Power	1
Toughness	1
Number	155
Frame	1993
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Mike Raabe

Key Takeaways

Norritt offers card advantage and can be used for both offensive and defensive strategies at instant speed.
The need to discard and specific mana requirements can limit Norritt’s flexibility in various decks.
Despite its cost, Norritt’s tactical utility makes it a worthy addition to collections and various strategies.

Text of card

oc T: Untap target blue creature. oc T: Force target non-wall creature to attack. If creature cannot attack, destroy it at end of turn. Use this ability only during target creature's controller's turn, before the attack. Cannot target creatures brought under their controller's control this turn.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Norritt can potentially grant significant card advantage in games where you untap and utilize your creatures for additional value or regain use of tapped artifacts without investing extra turns.

Resource Acceleration: By untapping your own lands or mana-producing artifacts with Norritt, you gain quick access to your resources, enabling you to accelerate your mana pool to unleash powerful spells ahead of schedule.

Instant Speed: As Norritt can act at instant speed, you can adeptly respond to an opponent’s moves by either untapping a creature of your own for defense or disrupting their strategy by forcing them to tap a blocker or utility creature at an inopportune time.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Norritt’s activation ability comes with the stipulation that you must discard a card, which, depending on your hand, can be a costly requirement. This downside can hinder your gameplay particularly in situations where maintaining card advantage is critical.

Specific Mana Cost: Norritt requires both black and red mana to play, making it less flexible for decks that do not run both colors. This specific mana requirement can be a barrier, particularly for players who prefer mono-colored or certain two-color combinations that exclude black or red.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value of four, which includes two specific colors, Norritt may compete with other more impactful cards in the same mana range. Given that four mana can often be a turning point in a game, using it to summon Norritt sometimes may not be as efficient or game-changing as other options available in the mana curve.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: The Norritt card offers dynamic interaction with various deck themes due to its ability to tap or untap another target creature. This can be skillfully integrated into control or tempo strategies, enhancing both offensive and defensive plays.

Combo Potential: Norritt’s tapping ability can be paired with cards that penalize or use tapped creatures as a resource, creating a synergy that can disrupt opponent strategies or advance your board position significantly.

Meta-Relevance: Given that creature-based tactics permeate numerous formats, the capacity of Norritt to directly manipulate the state of creatures on the battlefield can be a game-changer, making it a relevant card in various meta environments.

How to beat

Norritt is a unique creature card that can unnerve opponents in MTG. Its ability to tap or untap another target creature can disrupt a well-laid plan, but beating it is not an insurmountable task. Understand that Norritt works best when it has creatures to target. As such, having a removal spell ready can neutralize the threat it poses. You can utilize instant-speed removal spells like Path to Exile or Fatal Push to eliminate Norritt before its controller can make use of its tapping ability.

Board control is also a key strategy – playing creatures with hexproof can prove advantageous as they are out of reach from Norritt’s targeting ability. If you have a chance to play first, seize the opportunity to set the tempo of the game with aggressive creatures or control elements that limit your opponent’s ability to deploy creatures for Norritt to target. Moreover, countering Norritt upon casting can save you from its troublesome ability altogether; counterspells like Counterspell or Negate can be excellent tools in your arsenal.

Finally, always watch for the right moment to strike. If your opponent is banking on Norritt for a combo or control element, waiting for the opportune moment to remove it can throw off their strategy and tilt the scales in your favor, showcasing the tactical depth MTG is known for.

Cards like Norritt

Norritt is an intriguing creature in the realm of Magic: The Gathering with its unique blend of abilities. This card echoes the characteristics of cards like Frozen Shade, which also allows you to pump its power by spending mana. Yet, Norritt provides the additional utility of being able to untap another target creature, granting strategic advantages during gameplay.

Comparing Norritt to Emberwilde Djinn illustrates a different but related ability. Emberwilde Djinn permits you to untap all creatures the opponent controls. Although the Djinn offers a broader untap effect, it does so indiscriminately, whereas Norritt’s selective untapping can be leveraged for more controlled tactical plays.

Analysing Norritt within its category, its flexibility in both enhancing its power and manipulating the battlefield grants it a niche position. Whilst not the most potent in terms of raw power, the tactical utility it offers can be pivotal in matches, therefore holding its own in MTG creature comparisons.

Cards similar to Norritt by color, type and mana cost

Xiahou Dun, the One-Eyed - MTG Card versions

Demon of Catastrophes - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Norritt MTG card by a specific set like Ice Age, 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 Norritt and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Norritt has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Premodern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Norritt 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	The creature is destroyed if it does not attack because it simply can’t do so legally.
2013-09-20	If a turn has multiple combat phases, the ability can only be activated before the beginning of the declare attackers step of the first combat phase in that turn.