Nicol Bolas, the Deceiver MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 8 |
| Rarity | Mythic |
| Type | Legendary Planeswalker — Bolas |
| Released | 2017-07-14 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Hour of Devastation |
| Set code | HOU |
| Loyalty | 5 |
| Number | 205 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Svetlin Velinov |
Key Takeaways
- Card advantage and board control are pivotal with Nicol Bolas the Deceiver’s abilities focusing on disrupting opponents.
- His high mana cost and specific color requirements may limit deck building strategies, demanding careful planning.
- Despite drawbacks, its powerful effects can dominate games, making Nicol Bolas a worthy addition to collections.
Text of card
+3: Each opponent loses 3 life unless that player sacrifices a nonland permanent or discards a card. −3: Destroy target creature. Draw a card. −11: Nicol Bolas, the Deceiver deals 7 damage to each opponent. You draw seven cards.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Nicol Bolas the Deceiver is a prime example of card superiority on the battlefield. With its ability to force opponents into discarding, it sets you up for a strong advantage as it diminishes their options while you maintain control.
Resource Acceleration: This formidable planeswalker also excels in resource acceleration. By transforming loyalty points into mana, it provides a boost that can be the key to deploying game-changing spells quicker, giving you the upper hand.
Instant Speed: One of the distinct edges of Nicol Bolas the Deceiver is its versatility in casting speed. With the ability to unleash its powers at instant speed, this card allows you to adapt rapidly to the flux of the game, keeping your strategy one step ahead of your opponents.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Nicol Bolas the Deceiver demands a hefty sacrifice from your hand, compelling you to discard cards which could hamstring your gameplay, especially when your options are dwindling.
Specific Mana Cost: The casting cost for this imposing dragon planeswalker is stringent, necessitating a diverse mana base that aligns precisely with his identity, potentially restricting him to specific deck archetypes.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that towers at eight mana, this card’s activation in your duel might come too late when compared to other planeswalkers or game-changing spells that ask less of your mana resources.
Reasons to Include Nicol Bolas the Deceiver in Your Collection
Versatility: Nicol Bolas the Deceiver is a powerful planeswalker that can be an asset in a variety of deck designs. Its abilities allow players to disrupt opponent strategies, gain card advantage, and ultimately take control of the game, making it a flexible addition to any collection.
Combo Potential: This planeswalker’s abilities synergize with numerous cards and strategies. For instance, his ability to force opponents to discard enhances graveyard-based tactics, while his ultimate ability can set up game-winning combinations with ease.
Meta-Relevance: In a game where control decks can dominate, Nicol Bolas the Deceiver can decisively influence the board. With control and midrange strategies frequently in the meta, having a card with the caliber to shift the game’s direction can be indispensable.
How to beat Nicol Bolas the Deceiver
Nicol Bolas the Deceiver poses a significant challenge on the battlefield with its capacity to disrupt opponents’ strategies in Magic: The Gathering. To effectively handle this formidable Planeswalker, a key strategy is to limit its activation opportunities. Employing instant-speed removal spells to target it directly as soon as it hits the field, such as Murder or Hero’s Downfall, can be particularly effective. These spells are essential to have at the ready, as Nicol Bolas’s ability to exert control over the game grows with each turn it remains active.
Another tactic is to utilize countermagic, such as Negate or Disallow, to prevent Nicol Bolas from ever entering the battlefield. In games that progress to the long-term, maintaining pressure on your opponent’s life total and board presence is also crucial, which could prevent them from ever amassing the necessary resources to cast such an expensive spell. Creature-based strategies should focus on creating a wide board presence that can both attack Nicol Bolas directly and withstand its -3 ability. Ultimately, to stand up against Nicol Bolas the Deceiver, swiftly identifying and executing a plan to mitigate its impact is essential to claiming victory.
BurnMana Recommendations
In the landscape of MTG, knowing which cards to weave into your deck can be pivotal. Nicol Bolas the Deceiver is a versatile planeswalker that offers a multifaceted approach to controlling the game. If you’re keen to thwart opponent strategies, gain card advantage, and command the duel, this card is a must-consider. But every card comes with its gameplay nuances. Our deep dive into constructing the ideal deck and deploying cards like Nicol Bolas effectively ensures that your matches are as formidable as they are fun. Dive deeper with us to harness the true potential of your MTG collection.
Cards like Nicol Bolas, the Deceiver
Nicol Bolas the Deceiver stands out in the realm of creature cards in Magic the Gathering due to its multifaceted abilities and intimidating presence on the battlefield. It finds company with other formidable creatures, for example, Disciple of Bolas, which also offers a card advantage strategy albeit through a sacrifice mechanic, a contrast to Nicol Bolas’ direct card draw ability. Disciple of Bolas lacks the direct damage and control elements that make Nicol Bolas the Deceiver a unique threat.
The elder dragon Ugin, the Spirit Dragon, shares a likeness in sheer power level and impact. Ugin’s ability to exile cards provides a different angle of board control, but without Nicol Bolas’ additional card draw. Ugin’s colorless mana requirement can be an advantage in certain deck builds. Similarly, Liliana Vess is another planeswalker with a potent tutor effect, but the lack of a direct way to protect herself like Nicol Bolas’ creature removal feature sets them apart in gameplay strategy.
Ultimately, Nicol Bolas the Deceiver`s blend of control, damage, and card advantage allows it to shine within the pantheon of powerful MTG cards, presenting a unique combination that players can build around to manipulate the game in their favor.
Cards similar to Nicol Bolas, the Deceiver by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Nicol Bolas, the Deceiver MTG card by a specific set like Hour of Devastation, 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 Nicol Bolas, the Deceiver and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Nicol Bolas, the Deceiver has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Nicol Bolas, the Deceiver card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2017-07-14 | If Nicol Bolas’s third ability causes each opponent to have 0 or less life, but it also causes you to try to draw more cards than you have in your library, the game ends in a draw. |
| 2017-07-14 | If the target of Nicol Bolas’s second ability becomes illegal, the ability doesn’t resolve and you won’t draw a card. If that target is legal but can’t be destroyed, most likely because it has indestructible, you still draw a card. |
| 2017-07-14 | In a multiplayer game, each opponent in turn order makes their choice for Nicol Bolas’s first ability, then all of the actions occur simultaneously. Opponents will know choices made by earlier opponents when making their choices, although a card chosen to be discarded this way isn’t revealed until it’s discarded. |
| 2017-07-14 | While resolving Nicol Bolas’s first ability, your opponent chooses a card to be discarded without revealing it, chooses a nonland permanent to be sacrificed, or chooses to do neither. Then that player discards that card, sacrifices that permanent, or loses 3 life. Your opponent can always choose to lose 3 life, even if they have cards to discard or nonland permanents to sacrifice. |
