Witch-Maw Nephilim MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Nephilim
Power 1
Toughness 1

Key Takeaways

  1. Gain an edge with card advantage and reactive play by harnessing Witch-Maw Nephilim’s unique spell-casting ability.
  2. Overcoming the challenge of a specific four-color mana cost is crucial for unlocking Witch-Maw Nephilim’s potential.
  3. Witch-Maw Nephilim stands out with its versatility and combo-driven power growth in varied metagame scenarios.

Text of card

Whenever you play a spell, you may put two +1/+1 counters on Witch-Maw Nephilim. Whenever Witch-Maw Nephilim attacks, it gains trample until end of turn if its power is 10 or greater.

When it awoke, it shattered the hillsides to make way for its passage.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Witch-Maw Nephilim has a unique ability that lets you draw a card whenever you cast a spell, paving the way for card advantage that can quickly overpower opponents.

Resource Acceleration: Its four-color identity allows for a vast range of mana acceleration possibilities, essential for casting multicolored spells efficiently and activating powerful abilities sooner.

Instant Speed: The flexibility of responding to actions at instant speed cannot be underestimated, and while the Witch-Maw Nephilim itself isn’t an instant, it benefits from any spell you cast during either player’s turn, promoting a versatile and reactive playstyle.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Witch-Maw Nephilim requires a certain setup to maximize its potential by needing you to discard cards. This can be counterproductive when your hand is already depleted, leaving you more vulnerable.

Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a diverse mana base, specifically one of each color except red (white, blue, black, and green), which could present challenges in creating a consistent and responsive mana curve within a deck.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a four mana value spread across four different colors, the Witch-Maw Nephilim’s activation may prove difficult in the early game. It’s also worth noting that there are alternative creatures or spells that may offer a more immediate or impactful presence on the battlefield for a similar if not lower investment.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Witch-Maw Nephilim can seamlessly adapt to various deck strategies, offering a dynamic edge whether you’re increasing its power or looking for creature synergies.

Combo Potential: Given its ability to grow with each spell cast, it can become a powerhouse in conjunction with spells that multiply or duplicate effects, creating formidable combo possibilities.

Meta-Relevance: In a game state where decks are often tailored for synergy and efficiency, Witch-Maw Nephilim’s scalability can catch opponents off guard, making it a relevant contender in diverse metagames.


How to beat

Outwitting the Witch-Maw Nephilim can be quite the strategic endeavor in Magic: The Gathering. This formidable creature thrives on the diversity of your opponent’s spellcasting, growing in power with each spell they cast. To suppress this threat, limiting spell casting is key, or you could focus on removal strategies that bypass the Nephilim’s growing strength. Spells that exile or force sacrifices are particularly effective, as they do not rely on damage and can circumvent the Nephilim’s size. Board wipes can reset the playing field, rendering previous spells irrelevant to its power level.

Containment cards are also worth considering. These can prevent the Nephilim from attacking or block its abilities, stifling its potential before it becomes too large to handle. Lastly, playing around your opponent’s mana base can disrupt their strategy, preventing the diversity of colors needed to take full advantage of the Witch-Maw Nephilim’s capabilities. Efficiently navigating these tactics can be the key to mastering control over this daunting adversary.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering the art of deck construction in MTG is as rewarding as it is crucial. With Witch-Maw Nephilim, you have a rare gem that can elevate your game with its ability to ramp up power. However, its potential doesn’t come without challenges. Incorporating a diverse mana base and smart card selection to counteract its cons is essential. Consideration of meta relevance and combo potential should shape its role in your collection. Is Witch-Maw Nephilim the missing piece in your current strategy? Deepen your understanding of powerful synergies and strategic adaptability with us, as we explore the full capabilities of this transformative card.


Cards like Witch-Maw Nephilim

Exploring the sea of creature offerings in Magic: The Gathering brings us to the captivating Witch-Maw Nephilim. This card draws an intriguing comparison to other four-color creatures, such as Yore-Tiller Nephilim, which excels at reanimation as it brings a creature back into play upon attacking. While both cards share the four-color identity, Witch-Maw Nephilim offers a starkly different benefit by growing stronger each time you cast a spell.

Glint-Eye Nephilim also shares the quartet mana cost but encourages a different strategy, rewarding the player with card drawing power in tandem with potential combat damage. By contrast, Witch-Maw Nephilim does not directly impact your hand size, focusing instead on the battlefield presence through the accumulation of +1/+1 counters. Lastly, Dune-Brood Nephilim can produce an army of 1/1 creature tokens, offering a path towards overwhelming swarm tactics, which is quite a tactical shift from Witch-Maw’s individualistic power growth.

Ultimately, Witch-Maw Nephilim holds its ground within MTG’s vast landscape of multifaceted creatures, providing a unique angle to a deck’s strategy with its ever-increasing threat size – a compelling choice for players who enjoy seeing their creatures evolve over the course of the game.

Yore-Tiller Nephilim - MTG Card versions
Glint-Eye Nephilim - MTG Card versions
Dune-Brood Nephilim - MTG Card versions
Yore-Tiller Nephilim - Guildpact (GPT)
Glint-Eye Nephilim - Guildpact (GPT)
Dune-Brood Nephilim - Guildpact (GPT)

Cards similar to Witch-Maw Nephilim by color, type and mana cost

Atraxa, Praetors' Voice - MTG Card versions
Sol, Advocate Eternal - MTG Card versions
Atraxa, Praetors' Voice - Multiverse Legends (MUL)
Sol, Advocate Eternal - 2018 Heroes of the Realm (PH18)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Witch-Maw Nephilim MTG card by a specific set like Guildpact 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 Witch-Maw Nephilim and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Witch-Maw Nephilim Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2006-02-03 and 2006-02-03. Illustrated by Greg Staples.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12006-02-03GuildpactGPT 1382003normalblackGreg Staples
22020-09-26The ListPLST GPT-1382003normalblackGreg Staples

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Witch-Maw Nephilim has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

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