Wail of the Nim MTG Card


Wail of the Nim - Mirrodin
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityCommon
TypeInstant
Abilities Entwine
Released2003-10-02
Set symbol
Set nameMirrodin
Set codeMRD
Number81
Frame2003
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byJohn Matson

Key Takeaways

  1. Its instant speed allows for strategic surprise and adaptation mid-game, enhancing deck responsiveness.
  2. The card’s optional entwine cost adds versatility but requires careful hand management to maximize benefit.
  3. Effective against certain metas, it can regenerate creatures or deal damage, providing dual utility.

Text of card

Choose one Regenerate each creature you control; or Wail of the Nim deals 1 damage to each creature and each player. Entwine (Choose both if you pay the entwine cost.)


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Wail of the Nim provides flexibility by potentially functioning as a board wipe against token strategies or armies with smaller creatures, reducing the number of opposing threats and potentially shifting the game in your favor.

Resource Acceleration: Although not a direct form of mana acceleration, it affords you the option of regenerating your integral creatures, effectively saving the resources you would have spent to replay them had they been destroyed.

Instant Speed: The instant nature of Wail of the Nim means you can adapt to the flow of the game, utilizing it as a surprise tactic during the combat phase or at the end of your opponent’s turn, preserving the element of surprise and strategic depth.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Wail of the Nim necessitates pitching another card to initiate its secondary ability, which could deplete your hand and potentially leave you vulnerable.

Specific Mana Cost: Casting this spell requires one black mana, restricting its integration mainly to black or multicolored mana decks and reducing its versatility in decks without black mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For an instant spell that grants conditional regeneration or minor damage to opponents, the three mana cost might be considered steep, especially when other cards might provide similar effects for less.


Reasons to Include Wail of the Nim in Your Collection

Versatility: Wail of the Nim is a flexible option that can be a key card in any black deck due to its potential to serve both as a creature protection mechanism and as a finisher with its alternate damage ability.

Combo Potential: This card pairs well with strategies that involve sacrificing creatures for benefit, or with cards that trigger upon performing certain actions, like casting a spell with entwine.

Meta-Relevance: Against matchups that are reliant on dealing damage to creatures, Wail of the Nim provides resilience. In a meta with creature-heavy decks, its ability to suddenly turn the tables with direct damage to players makes it a worthwhile addition.


How to Overcome Wail of the Nim

Wail of the Nim presents a versatile challenge on the battlefield, boasting the flexibility to be both a creature-saving Regeneration shield or an unexpected source of direct damage. This black instant from the Mirrodin set can regenerate your creatures or, with entwine, double its impact by also dealing damage. To cleverly navigate against it, consider the timing of your removal spells.

Distraction can be a key tactic. Engage your opponent’s mana before they draw into their Wail of the Nim, forcing them to spend resources elsewhere. Additionally, white and green decks can employ spells that grant indestructible or hexproof status to protect creatures from direct damage, circumventing the second function of Wail of the Nim effectively. Counterspells in blue-leaning decks also disrupt this card by targeting the spell directly, nullifying its dual-purpose threat.

Overall, outpacing an opponent’s mana, smart shielding of your creatures, and straightforward spell counters are effective methods to mitigate the impact of Wail of the Nim on your strategic gameplay, reinforcing your position on the field.


Cards like Wail of the Nim

Wail of the Nim is a versatile spell with its roots in the plane of Mirrodin in Magic: The Gathering. This card closely resembles cards like Cry of the Carnarium or Flaying Tendrils which are also effective at clearing multiple creatures off the board. However, Wail of the Nim distinguishes itself with the unique flexibility of regenerating creatures for an additional mana cost, offering a strategic edge.

Considering Cry of the Carnarium, it has the exile function that prevents creatures from coming back, but lacks the regeneration option. Flaying Tendrils also deals with creatures comprehensively, but the absence of the regeneration capability makes Wail of the Nim stand out, especially in decks that can take advantage of this dual nature. Another analog is Infest, which shares the same mana cost and effect of giving all creatures -2/-2 until end of turn, yet it doesn’t offer the protective benefit that Wail of the Nim could grant to your own creatures.

Ultimately, the strategic depth Wail of the Nim adds to gameplay is notable among black sweepers in Magic: The Gathering. Its dual-function brings a nuanced decision-making process to the table, which can be critical in the heat of battle.

Cry of the Carnarium - MTG Card versions
Flaying Tendrils - MTG Card versions
Infest - MTG Card versions
Cry of the Carnarium - Ravnica Allegiance (RNA)
Flaying Tendrils - Oath of the Gatewatch (OGW)
Infest - Onslaught (ONS)

Cards similar to Wail of the Nim by color, type and mana cost

Spoils of Evil - MTG Card versions
Dark Banishing - MTG Card versions
Carrion - MTG Card versions
Sick and Tired - MTG Card versions
Corpse Dance - MTG Card versions
Bone Harvest - MTG Card versions
Slay - MTG Card versions
Afflict - MTG Card versions
Dismember - MTG Card versions
Body Count - MTG Card versions
Reaping the Graves - MTG Card versions
Execute - MTG Card versions
Kill! Destroy! - MTG Card versions
Sudden Death - MTG Card versions
Footbottom Feast - MTG Card versions
Fevered Strength - MTG Card versions
Hideous End - MTG Card versions
Corpse Lunge - MTG Card versions
Necrobite - MTG Card versions
Murder - MTG Card versions
Spoils of Evil - Ice Age (ICE)
Dark Banishing - Duel Decks Anthology: Divine vs. Demonic (DVD)
Carrion - Mirage (MIR)
Sick and Tired - Urza's Legacy (ULG)
Corpse Dance - World Championship Decks 1999 (WC99)
Bone Harvest - Beatdown Box Set (BTD)
Slay - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Afflict - Odyssey (ODY)
Dismember - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Body Count - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Reaping the Graves - Magic Online Theme Decks (TD0)
Execute - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Kill! Destroy! - Unhinged (UNH)
Sudden Death - Time Spiral (TSP)
Footbottom Feast - Commander 2011 (CMD)
Fevered Strength - Masters Edition III (ME3)
Hideous End - The List (PLST)
Corpse Lunge - Innistrad (ISD)
Necrobite - Avacyn Restored (AVR)
Murder - Murders at Karlov Manor (MKM)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Wail of the Nim MTG card by a specific set like Mirrodin, 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 Wail of the Nim and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Wail of the Nim has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

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