Nova Cleric MTG Card

Onslaught (ONS)
2002-10-07 - Number 45

The List (PLST)
2020-09-26 - Number ONS-45

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	1
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Human Cleric
Power	1
Toughness	2

Key Takeaways

Nova Cleric offers significant card advantage, maintaining a resource lead pivotal for victory.
Its instant speed ability allows for strategic adaptability in changing game states.
Resource acceleration via board presence sets up for potentially dominant turns.

Text of card

o W, oc T, Sacrifice Nova Cleric: Destroy all enchantments.

"Our noblest thoughts are our very first and our very last."

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Nova Cleric shines when it comes to card advantage, offering players the ability to potentially disrupt opponent strategies while maintaining card economy. This ensures that you stay ahead in resource count, which is a critical factor in winning the game.

Resource Acceleration: As a utility creature, Nova Cleric can contribute to the overall acceleration of your resources. While not directly producing mana or treasure, its ability to sustain board presence allows for ongoing strategic deployments, setting the stage for powerful turns.

Instant Speed: One of the undeniable strengths of the Nova Cleric is the flexibility provided by its abilities which can be activated at instant speed. This allows savvy players to react to the evolving game state, adjusting their approach on the fly and maximizing the impact of their plays within the scope of unfolding matches.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One of the drawbacks of the Nova Cleric is its discard condition, compelling you to sacrifice another card from your hand to activate its abilities. This trade-off could leave you at a card disadvantage, especially in tight situations where each card in hand is crucial.

Specific Mana Cost: Nova Cleric requires a precise combination of mana to cast, which includes white mana. This specialization can impede the card’s versatility, making it a less-than-ideal choice for decks that rely on a broader color palette or those that cannot consistently provide the required white mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The casting cost for Nova Cleric is on the higher end for its effect. When considering mana efficiency, many players may find that the card doesn’t measure up to other options. This could potentially slow down your gameplay, as allocating resources for the Nova Cleric might not yield the expected tactical advantage.

Reasons to Include Nova Cleric in Your Collection

Versatility: Nova Cleric offers utility in various decks, notably in ones focusing on creature-based strategies or where enchantment removal is critical.

Combo Potential: This card thrives in synergy with other cards that benefit from creature sacrifice or trigger upon enchantment destruction, opening possibilities for powerful interactions.

Meta-Relevance: With enchantments frequently impacting the battlefield, Nova Cleric becomes a handy tool to have at your disposal, countering popular strategies efficiently.

How to beat Nova Cleric

The Nova Cleric card brings unique dynamics to the battlefield with its ability to shield other creatures. Understanding the nuances of this card is critical for strategizing an effective counterplay. One approach to undermine its potential is by bypassing the Cleric’s protection abilities. Spells that target the player rather than individual creatures, such as board wipes or global effects, can circumvent the Cleric’s defensive aura. Cards like Wrath of God or Damnation can effectively clear the board, including the Nova Cleric, without having to target it directly.

Control decks with powerful removal options can maintain supremacy on the battlefield by dealing with the Nova Cleric before its protective abilities become a significant issue. Ensuring you have removal spells that can target any creature, regardless of type or abilities, is essential in such matchups. Moreover, employing instant-speed spells gives you the flexibility to respond to threats adeptly, allowing you to manage the board before your opponent can capitalize on the Nova Cleric’s benefits.

Finding the balance between aggression and control, as well as choosing the right moment to act, is paramount in outmaneuvering opponents who deploy the Nova Cleric. With careful planning and the right cards in your deck, overcoming the protective prowess of Nova Cleric is entirely within reach.

Cards like Nova Cleric

Nova Cleric is an interesting choice among the suite of creature cards in MTG that offer a utility beyond just combat stats. In the same category, we have cards like Devout Chaplain and Kemba’s Skyguard. Both the Nova Cleric and the Devout Chaplain feature the ability to remove enchantments from the game, providing players with essential control tools. However, the Nova Cleric requires a sacrifice to perform this task, while the Devout Chaplain can continue to provide enchantment control as long as you have sufficient human tokens.

When evaluating life-gain creatures, Kemba’s Skyguard steps in as a solid comparable. Like Nova Cleric, it influences the state of your health points when it hits the battlefield. It boasts an immediate life gain without need for sacrifice, yet doesn’t offer the same enchantment disruption potential. Another peer is Benevolent Bodyguard, granting protection to your creatures while also being easily placed on the board due to its lower casting cost relative to the Nova Cleric. However, it doesn’t affect enchantments nor does it influence life totals.

Ultimately, players must weigh Nova Cleric’s enchantment banishing capability against its one-time use and measure it against cards that provide ongoing protection or life gain with less situational restrictions.

Benevolent Bodyguard - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Nova Cleric by color, type and mana cost

Faerie Guidemother // Gift of the Fae - MTG Card versions

Yoshimaru, Ever Faithful - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Nova Cleric MTG card by a specific set like Onslaught and The List, 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 Nova Cleric and other MTG cards: