Nantuko Shrine MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Rare
Type	Enchantment
Released	2001-10-01
Set symbol
Set name	Odyssey
Set code	ODY
Number	256
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Rebecca Guay

Key Takeaways

Opponents’ spells can fuel your board with creatures, a boon for token strategies.
Heavy dependency on graveyard content may dictate the Shrine’s effectiveness.
Flexibility and combo potential make it a noteworthy addition to certain decks.

Text of card

Whenever a player plays a spell, that player puts X 1/1 green Squirrel creature tokens into play, where X is the number of cards in all graveyards with the same name as that spell.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Each spell your opponents cast can turn into an additional creature for you, bolstering your board presence without dipping into your hand.

Resource Acceleration: Regardless of the spell’s nature, this shrine summons a Squirrel, promoting a wider strategy and fueling your offensive or defensive needs with minimal investment.

Instant Speed: React rapidly to your opponent’s spells by getting an instant creature boost, demonstrating versatility and strategic depth in response to their actions.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: For Nantuko Shrine to truly shine, it needs a significant amount of creature cards to cycle through your graveyard. This often means having to discard valuable creature cards, which might strain your hand and resource management.

Specific Mana Cost: Nantuko Shrine requires a precise blend of mana, specifically green. In multicolor decks or those that tap resources for a variety of spells, meeting this need can sometimes be challenging, limiting its inclusion to mainly monogreen decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Costing three mana might not seem steep at a glance, but in a game where tempo is key, devoting three mana to a card that doesn’t have an immediate impact can be seen as a slow play. Other cards within the same mana range could provide more impactful and immediate results on the battlefield.

Reasons to Include Nantuko Shrine in Your Collection

Versatility: The Nantuko Shrine thrives in decks that capitalize on casting a multitude of spells, such as spell-slinger or token-focused builds, adding a layer of flexibility and adaptability to your game plan.

Combo Potential: The Shrine pairs well with strategies that involve a high spell count or graveyard synergies, offering the potential to generate an overwhelming number of insect tokens, which can be pivotal in turning the tides of a match.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where creature-based decks are prevalent, the Shrine can become an under-the-radar asset, providing a steady stream of blockers or attackers that can be crucial in outpacing your opponents’ board presence.

How to beat

Nantuko Shrine is an intriguing card in the vast repertoire of Magic the Gathering. This enchantment benefits from the spells played not just by its controller but also their opponent. With its peculiar ability to summon insect creatures for each spell matching the one in a graveyard, one may wonder how to navigate against such a card. Stepping up to this challenge, the key lies in understanding the dynamic nature of graveyard interaction.

Disabling Nantuko Shrine becomes a matter of strategy and foresight. Applying graveyard hate through cards such as Rest in Peace or Leyline of the Void can shut down the Shrine’s advantages, purging the graveyard and rendering the insects stagnant. Additionally, players can opt for less conventional strategies such as instant speed removal during the upkeep before the Shrine’s ability resolves, or using spells that counter creature abilities to trip this pesky enchantment. Employing a straightforward approach of artifact destruction spells like Naturalize or Disenchant can also be an effective solution.

Ultimately, dealing with Nantuko Shrine demands an understanding of timing, graveyard management, and effective removal. Whether hindering its activation or directly dismantling the enchantment itself, players must tightly weave their strategy to ensure the Shrine doesn’t swarm the battlefield with a relentless insect army.

Cards like Nantuko Shrine

Nantuko Shrine sparks curiosity among the vast array of enchantments in MTG. It echoes the effects of cards like Pyromancer’s Ascension, which also relies on certain conditions to duplicate the effect of spells. However, Nantuko Shrine distinguishes itself by its unique mechanic of creating creature tokens based on repeated card names from graveyards, something Pyromancer’s Ascension does not offer.

Another similar card is Doubling Season, which amplifies the effects of creating tokens or adding counters. While Doubling Season affects all token and counter generation, Nantuko Shrine specifically triggers on spells and emphasizes a deck building strategy focused on recurrent card names. Also, Lurking Predators deserves a mention, allowing for creature casting from the deck, which could coincide with the Shrine’s theme of exploiting card names. Though Lurking Predators provides more immediate board presence, Nantuko Shrine provides a gradual advantage based on spell casting.

When comparing these enchantments, Nantuko Shrine offers a unique synergy for decks that can exploit its mechanics, standing out with the potential to create multiple tokens in a well-constructed setup. Its requirement for specific conditions to be met offers a different strategic approach compared to other similar enchantments in the game.

Cards similar to Nantuko Shrine by color, type and mana cost

The Dragon-Kami Reborn // Dragon-Kami's Egg - MTG Card versions

Rites of Flourishing - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Nantuko Shrine MTG card by a specific set like Odyssey, 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 Nantuko Shrine and other MTG cards: