Nurturer Initiate MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	1
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Elf Shaman
Released	2008-05-02
Set symbol
Set name	Shadowmoor
Set code	SHM
Power	1
Toughness	1
Number	124
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Jim Pavelec

Key Takeaways

Nurturer Initiate provides card advantage by enhancing creatures at instant speed, enabling a stronger board presence.
The card requires careful mana base planning, with a specific green mana cost and potential tempo issues.
Despite its power, strategic removal spells or graveyard disruption are effective counters to Nurturer Initiate.

Text of card

Whenever a player plays a green spell, you may pay . If you do, target creature gets +1/+1 until end of turn.

The elves alone preserve the few shreds of beauty left. There is no one else who cares.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Not only does Nurturer Initiate offer a creature on the board, but its ability to bolster other creatures gives you an inherent card quality advantage. By enhancing the size of your creatures, you effectively get more value from every card played thereafter, leading to more robust board presence without expending additional cards.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly providing mana or tokens, Nurturer Initiate’s strength lies in its potential to accelerate the resources at your disposal in the form of larger, more powerful creatures. This can indirectly translate to needing fewer resources to achieve the same goals, such as dealing damage or trading efficiently in battle.

Instant Speed: The initiate’s ability can be activated at instant speed, giving you the flexibility to respond to your opponent’s moves during their turn. This adaptability allows you to navigate complex board states more effectively, making better use of your mana and the timing of your plays.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While not every strategy may mind, Nurturer Initiate’s requirement to discard a card can put a drawback on an otherwise straightforward creature, hindering those aiming to maintain card advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: Being a green card, Nurturer Initiate requires careful consideration of mana bases, especially in multicolored decks that value color consistency and flexibility.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: In the competitive environment of MTG, the mana investment to bring Nurturer Initiate into play may not match its impact on the game compared to other options at similar costs, potentially slowing down the deck’s tempo.

Reasons to Include Nurturer Initiate in Your Collection

Versatility: Nurturer Initiate seamlessly integrates into a variety of green-based decks, excelling in those looking to amplify their creature power. Its ability to augment creatures makes it a valuable addition in both aggressive and midrange strategies.

Combo Potential: This card shines in synergy with strategies that exploit +1/+1 counters. Whether it’s fueling counter-centric mechanics or enhancing creatures to overpower foes, its simple yet effective ability can be a linchpin in combo setups.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where creature interactions are paramount, Nurturer Initiate holds its ground. Its relevance increases alongside the presence of decks focusing on combat and board presence, making it a savvy pick for those looking to stay ahead of the curve.

How to beat

Nurturer Initiate, a versatile card in Magic: The Gathering, poses interesting challenges during gameplay. Its primary ability to boost itself with +1/+1 each time you gain life can quickly turn it from a mere blocker to a formidable threat. To effectively counter this shapeshifter, it’s crucial to implement a strategy that limits opportunities for your opponent to gain life or to remove Nurturer Initiate before it grows too powerful.

Direct removal spells such as Path to Exile or Fatal Push are effective at dispatching Nurturer Initiate before its power scales out of control. Additionally, employing graveyard disruption tools can help prevent recurring life-gain synergies that would otherwise empower the Nurturer Initiate. Cards like Leyline of the Void hamper these strategies by exiling any card that hits the graveyard, cutting off avenues for repeated life-gain triggers.

Taken as a whole, while Nurturer Initiate can be a thorny issue if left unchecked, adaptive tactics and prompt responses will ensure that this creature doesn’t become an insurmountable obstacle in your path to victory.

Cards like Nurturer Initiate

Nurturer Initiate stands out in the realm of creature cards in Magic: The Gathering for its unique mana ability tied to its shapeshift feature. Comparable to the likes of Avacyn’s Pilgrim, which provides mana acceleration by tapping for white mana, Nurturer Initiate adds a layer of versatility. This small yet mighty Elf Shaman is not limited to mana generation alone but can also boost its power whenever you pump green mana into another creature.

Treading closely in effect, we encounter Gyre Sage, which evolves and gains the ability to tap for an increasing amount of green mana with each +1/+1 counter on it. While Gyre Sage focuses on its own growth, Nurturer Initiate offers more interaction, providing a recurring benefit in games packed with creatures. Another similar card is Quirion Elves, allowing you to choose a second color to generate mana. What sets Nurturer Initiate apart is the potential to become a formidable attacker or blocker as the board develops.

Assessing the strengths, the Nurturer Initiate offers unique tactical advantages within MTG, serving both as a mana supplier and a potential powerhouse, a perfect card for decks aiming to exploit synergy between creatures and mana utility.

Cards similar to Nurturer Initiate by color, type and mana cost

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Nurturer Initiate MTG card by a specific set like Shadowmoor, 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 Nurturer Initiate and other MTG cards: