Novijen Sages MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost6
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Human Advisor Mutant
Abilities Graft
Power 0
Toughness 0

Key Takeaways

  1. Novijen Sages offers card advantage and tactical flexibility through its graft and draw abilities.
  2. The card’s mana demands can be restrictive and it has a high casting cost slowing early game potential.
  3. Its synergy with counter-based strategies and potential for combos make it a noteworthy collection addition.

Text of card

Graft 4 (This creature comes into play with four +1/+1 counters on it. Whenever another creature comes into play, you may move a +1/+1 counter from this creature onto it.) , Remove two +1/+1 counters from among creatures you control: Draw a card.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Novijen Sages comes equipped with a built-in mechanism to sustain card flow. This creature’s ability to graft and later convert +1/+1 counters into extra card draws grants you the upper hand by filling your hand with more options and strategies to outmaneuver your opponents.

Resource Acceleration: In the realm of MTG, effective use of mana can dictate the pace of the game. The Novijen Sages, through its graft ability, provides a tactical advantage by enhancing other creatures on the battlefield, which can lead to faster and more impactful plays, propelling you ahead in the game.

Instant Speed: While Novijen Sages itself does not operate at instant speed, its ability to manipulate counters can be synchronized with other cards in your deck that operate at instant speed. This adaptability allows you to carefully plan your moves and react swiftly to the changing state of the battlefield, ensuring that your resources are utilized at the most opportune moments.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Novijen Sages comes with a discard requirement to activate its ability. This can be a setback especially if your hand is already running low on cards and you’re trying to maintain card advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: The mana cost to cast Novijen Sages is quite specific, demanding two blue mana. This can restrict its inclusion to decks that are heavily blue or have a mana base tailored to accommodate such costs without affecting the deck’s overall mana curve.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of six mana, Novijen Sages is on the higher end of the mana spectrum. Considering its abilities, players often weigh its inclusion against other cards in the same mana range which might offer more immediate impact or versatility on the battlefield.


Reasons to Include Novijen Sages in Your Collection

Versatility: Novijen Sages offers players the ability to adapt to various game scenarios. Its graft ability lets you move +1/+1 counters to different creatures, making it a flexible addition to decks focusing on counter mechanics or proliferate strategies. Whether you’re empowering a single creature or spreading the strength across your board, it tailors to the ebb and flow of the battlefield.

Combo Potential: The real charm of Novijen Sages lies in its combination potential. This card synergizes with mechanics that profit from having +1/+1 counters like modular or evolve. It also acts as an engine in combos that require card draw by removing +1/+1 counters for repeatable card advantage, which could tip the scales in your favor during a prolonged match.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where incremental advantages lead to victory, Novijen Sages shines. When agility and long-game strategies are paramount, this card’s ability to generate additional resources while bolstering your ranks can be invaluable, ensuring its relevance in evolving metas while maintaining a solid spot in Simic and counter-themed decks.


How to beat Novijen Sages

Overcoming Novijen Sages in a game of Magic: The Gathering requires strategic plays and well-timed removals. As a creature that lets its controller bolster their board by amassing +1/+1 counters, Novijen Sages can become quite a formidable opponent if left unchecked. To effectively counter this creature, one tactic is to deploy instant-speed removal spells before the opponent has the chance to utilize its graft and draw abilities. Spot removal cards like Doom Blade or Path to Exile work efficiently to remove Novijen Sages from the battlefield before it becomes too great a threat.

Another method to combat this creature is by restricting your opponent’s ability to generate the mana necessary to activate Novijen Sages’ abilities. Cards like Damping Sphere can stifle your opponent’s mana development, while creature counters, such as Essence Scatter when Novijen Sages is cast, ensure it never hits the field. Counteracting it early is crucial to prevent the incremental advantage it can produce. Additionally, playing aggressively can force an opponent to block with Novijen Sages, potentially sacrificing it in the process. Remember, staying proactive and aware of your opponent’s mana pool can turn the tides against Novijen Sages.


Cards like Novijen Sages

Novijen Sages offers a unique spin on mana sinks and card drawing in the realm of Magic: The Gathering. It bears some resemblance to Merfolk Looter, which also allows the player to draw a card and then discard a card. However, Novijen Sages brings a different aspect to the table with the ability to consistently amass +1/+1 counters, potentially becoming a significant threat on its own.

Then we have Arcanis the Omnipotent, yet another card-drawing powerhouse. While Arcanis doesn’t require the discard that both Novijen Sages and Merfolk Looter do, it demands triple blue mana, making it more specific in its deck placement. Arcanis also draws more cards, offering up three compared to Novijen Sages’ single card transaction. Nonetheless, Novijen Sages grants more versatility by allowing the player to control when and how many counters to remove for card advantage.

Comparatively, each of these card-drawing engines presents a blend of advantages and playstyles. Novijen Sages remains competitive by synergizing with other +1/+1 counter strategies, allowing it to be more than just a card-drawing card but also a formidable creature on the battlefield.

Merfolk Looter - MTG Card versions
Arcanis the Omnipotent - MTG Card versions
Merfolk Looter - Exodus (EXO)
Arcanis the Omnipotent - Onslaught (ONS)

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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Novijen Sages MTG card by a specific set like Dissension and Modern Masters 2015, 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 Novijen Sages and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Novijen Sages Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2006-05-05 and 2015-05-22. Illustrated by Luca Zontini.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12006-05-05DissensionDIS 272003normalblackLuca Zontini
22015-05-22Modern Masters 2015MM2 532015normalblackLuca Zontini

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Novijen Sages has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2006-05-01 To activate the activated ability, either remove two +1/+1 counters from a single creature you control or remove one +1/+1 counter from each of two different creatures you control.

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