Nested Ghoul MTG Card
2011-02-04 - Number 48
2022-12-02 - Number 448
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Phyrexian Zombie Warrior |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Key Takeaways
- Nested Ghoul can boost board presence without additional cards, offering a strategic creature token upon taking damage.
- Its triggered ability at damage can act as a reactive defense, deterring enemy turns and saving resources.
- Despite a higher casting cost, it can be a worthy addition for decks leveraging creature strategies and synergies.
Text of card
Whenever a source deals damage to Nested Ghoul, put a 2/2 black Zombie creature token onto the battlefield.
"The chest cavity is cleared of useless meat. I know just what to do with the space." —Gyed, Vault Priest
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Nested Ghoul can create a strategic edge by giving you the ability to have an additional creature without spending another card from your hand. When Nested Ghoul is dealt damage, you get a replacement 2/2 black Zombie creature token, potentially multiplying your board presence and overwhelming your opponent.
Resource Acceleration: While Nested Ghoul does not directly provide mana acceleration, the creation of a zombie token can save resources. This effective use of the board can indirectly accelerate your resource utilization by maintaining pressure without additional mana investment.
Instant Speed: Although Nested Ghoul is a creature that doesn’t operate at instant speed, its triggered ability providing a Zombie token activates whenever it’s dealt damage. This can effectively dissuade opponents from attacking or using damage-based removal during their turn, thereby offering you a form of reactive defense akin to instant-speed interactions.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Nested Ghoul necessitates discarding another card to activate certain abilities. This can set players back, especially when they’re trying to maintain card advantage over their opponents.
Specific Mana Cost: The casting cost for Nested Ghoul includes black mana, which means it seamlessly fits into mono-black or two-color decks that can accommodate black mana but might be incompatible with others, reducing its flexibility.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that can be considered on the higher side, Nested Ghoul might come into play much later than other creatures. This delay could mean missing out on crucial early-game board development.
Reasons to Include Nested Ghoul in Your Collection
Versatility: Nested Ghoul offers a unique flexibility in various deck builds, functioning as both a resilient defensive creature and a potential source of additional creatures upon taking damage. It’s a solid inclusion in decks seeking to capitalize on board presence.
Combo Potential: With the right synergy, this card can become part of powerful combinations. It pairs well with effects that deal non-lethal damage to your own creatures or strategies that benefit from having multiple creatures entering the battlefield.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta that sees frequent creature combat or damage-based removal, Nested Ghoul has the tenacity to withstand such interactions, often leaving behind additional board state for its controller – a trait that could shift the tide of a match in your favor.
How to beat
Nested Ghoul shines in creature-heavy strategies where its resilience can be a real headache for opponents in Magic: The Gathering. This menacing card from the Crimson Vow set becomes particularly troublesome when you’re attempting to maintain board control. Just when you think you’ve cleared the path, Nested Ghoul springs back to life by creating a 2/2 black Zombie creature token if it was dealt damage and wasn’t destroyed this turn.
To counter this persistent threat, focus on removal spells that exile rather than destroy. Spells such as ‘Swords to Plowshares’ or ‘Path to Exile’ can deal with the creature without triggering its ability. Board wipes that don’t deal damage, like ‘Merciless Eviction’ or ‘Cyclonic Rift’, can also sidestep the creation of Zombie tokens. It’s also advantageous to use enchantments such as ‘Rest in Peace’ to nullify graveyard interactions or ‘Pacifism’ to prevent Nested Ghoul from attacking and thus reducing the likelihood of its ability activating.
Ultimately, while Nested Ghoul may seem like an intimidating presence on the battlefield, a strategic approach employing the right spells and enchantments can ensure this undead creature and its horde remain buried. Mastering these tactics is crucial to maintain control and advance in your game.
Cards like Nested Ghoul
Nested Ghoul is a unique creature card in MTG, providing a strategic advantage through its ability to create a 2/2 Zombie creature token upon being dealt damage. In comparison to other MTG cards, Brood of Cockroaches shares a similar recurrence theme but returns to hand and requires mana payment upon death. Loyal Sentry, though different as it destroys any creature it blocks or is blocked by, is alike in that it offers a reactionary ability.
With Tenacious Dead and Reassembling Skeleton, you witness a resilience shared with Nested Ghoul. They both can return to the battlefield from the graveyard, ensuring your board presence is maintained. However, unlike Nested Ghoul, their revival is not contingent on taking damage but on a mana cost that can repeatedly bring them back.
Encompassing the aspect of card synergies and strategic depth, Nested Ghoul adds a layer of defense and potential offense to your game. Its ability to seed the field with Zombie tokens makes it distinct and valuable in creature-focused and token-generating decks. So, whether you’re fortifying your defense or planning a Zombie onslaught, Nested Ghoul proves to be a powerful card to consider.
Cards similar to Nested Ghoul by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Nested Ghoul MTG card by a specific set like Mirrodin Besieged and Jumpstart 2022, 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 Nested Ghoul 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
Printings
The Nested Ghoul Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2011-02-04 and 2022-12-02. Illustrated by Dave Kendall.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2011-02-04 | Mirrodin Besieged | MBS | 48 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Dave Kendall | |
| 2 | 2022-12-02 | Jumpstart 2022 | J22 | 448 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Dave Kendall |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Nested Ghoul has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Nested Ghoul card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2011-06-01 | If multiple sources deal damage to Nested Ghoul simultaneously (because it was blocked by multiple creatures, for example), the ability will trigger for each source dealing damage to Nested Ghoul. |
| 2011-06-01 | Nested Ghoul’s ability will trigger if a source with infect deals damage to it. |
