Nightmare Moon // Princess Luna MTG Card


Nightmare Moon // Princess Luna - Ponies: The Galloping
Mana cost
Converted mana cost6
RarityMythic
TypeLegendary Creature — Alicorn
Abilities Flying,Transform
Released2019-10-22
Set symbol
Set namePonies: The Galloping
Set codePTG
Power 6
Toughness 6
Number1
Frame2015
Layouttransform
Bordersilver
Illustred byJohn Thacker

Key Takeaways

  1. The card delivers strategic card advantage by offering dual utility as the game unfolds.
  2. Instant speed reaction gives players flexibility to adapt and respond efficiently in-game.
  3. While powerful, the card comes with considerations such as a specific, sometimes costly mana requirement.

Text of card

Flying As long as it's nighttime, Nightmare Moon gets +2/+2 and has menace. : Transform Nightmare Moon. Anypony may activate this ability or help pay the cost. When they do, they become your friend.

"The night. . . will last. . .forever!"


Card Pros

Card Advantage: When discussing Nightmare Moon // Princess Luna, it’s clear that this card is designed to give players a competitive edge by providing extra options in hand. The transforming nature of the card offers dual utility, strategically unfolding card advantage as the game progresses.

Resource Acceleration: Resource acceleration is often a game changer, and this card contributes by potentially altering the pace of the game. Whether ramping up to deploy heavier threats or providing the necessary resources at critical moments, this card adds an extra layer of strategy.

Instant Speed: Flexibility is crucial in MTG, and the instant speed capability of Nightmare Moon // Princess Luna offers the advantage of adaptability. This allows players to react in real-time to the unfolding match, using their resources efficiently and responding to threats or opportunities as they arise.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One downside to the Nightmare Moon // Princess Luna card is the requirement to discard to activate certain abilities. For players who might already be managing a low hand size, this could pose a strategic setback, potentially depleting valuable resources at inopportune times.

Specific Mana Cost: Another consideration is the specific mana cost associated with this card. Requiring a particular combination of mana types can sometimes be restrictive, potentially making it difficult to slot into a multi-colored deck or one looking to maintain a high degree of flexibility.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Finally, when comparing to other options available, the mana cost for either Nightmare Moon or Princess Luna’s transformative abilities might be on the higher side. While the card is potent, its cost necessitates careful planning and can hinder the speed at which a player develops their board presence, especially in the early game stages where mana resources are more limited.


Reasons to Include Nightmare Moon // Princess Luna in Your Collection

Versatility: Nightmare Moon // Princess Luna from MTG brings exceptional flexibility to your lineup. This card can seamlessly adapt to various deck archetypes, allowing players to shift from aggressive to control strategies mid-game.

Combo Potential: As a card that features transforming mechanics, Nightmare Moon // Princess Luna offers tantalizing combo possibilities. When the conditions align, she can evolve your gameplay, creating new synergies and interactive moments with other cards.

Meta-Relevance: Given the ever-shifting landscape of MTG’s competitive scene, having a card with meta relevance is crucial. Nightmare Moon // Princess Luna taps into current gameplay trends, ensuring that your collection remains ahead of the curve and competitive in a variety of matchups.


How to beat

Nightmare Moon // Princess Luna has emerged as a challenging card for Magic: The Gathering players to face. Its double-faced nature offers versatility, becoming a formidable threat when played effectively. To overcome Nightmare Moon, it’s essential to anticipate and counter its transformative trigger, focusing on disruption strategies that can remove it from the battlefield or hindering it from flipping into Princess Luna.

Considering removal spells such as Path to Exile or Disenchant could swing the game back in your favor, targeting Nightmare Moon before it changes form. Similarly, utilizing instant-speed interaction allows players to react to the transformed Princess Luna, mitigating her impact immediately. Cards like Negate may serve well to counter any of the transformative or triggered abilities associated with this card, keeping the situation under control.

Strategically, maintaining card advantage and a solid board presence ensures you’re not falling behind while dealing with its threats. With the right approach and careful planning, players can find a path to victory, even when facing the formidable duality of Nightmare Moon // Princess Luna in their Magic: The Gathering matchups.


Cards like Nightmare Moon // Princess Luna

The enchanting duality of Nightmare Moon // Princess Luna brings an innovative approach to transformation mechanics in Magic: The Gathering. Echoing the versatility of day-night cards such as Arlinn Kord // Arlinn, Embraced by the Moon, Nightmare Moon // Princess Luna adds flair to the game with its ability to flip between forms. While Arlinn Kord taps into werewolf synergy, Nightmare Moon // Princess Luna deals more in the realm of controlling the board state and influencing opponent tactics.

Likewise, Garruk Relentless // Garruk, the Veil-Cursed offers a transformational aspect, but it leans towards creature support and destruction. However, the dichotomy of Nightmare Moon // Princess Luna’s design reflects a keen balance between threat and control that is less prevalent in Garruk’s functionality.

The closest resemblance may come from Delver of Secrets // Insectile Aberration, with its simple yet potent transformation. Nevertheless, Nightmare Moon // Princess Luna enraptures players with a deeper tactical layer, presenting a challenge and a delight to those who wield its power. Examining these analogues, it becomes apparent that the ingenuity behind Nightmare Moon // Princess Luna’s transformative nature holds distinct intrigue within Magic: The Gathering’s pantheon of dual-faced cards.

Arlinn Kord // Arlinn, Embraced by the Moon - MTG Card versions
Garruk Relentless // Garruk, the Veil-Cursed - MTG Card versions
Delver of Secrets // Insectile Aberration - MTG Card versions
Arlinn Kord // Arlinn, Embraced by the Moon - Shadows over Innistrad (SOI)
Garruk Relentless // Garruk, the Veil-Cursed - Innistrad (ISD)
Delver of Secrets // Insectile Aberration - Innistrad (ISD)

Cards similar to Nightmare Moon // Princess Luna by color, type and mana cost

Nightmare - MTG Card versions
Demonic Hordes - MTG Card versions
Ihsan's Shade - MTG Card versions
Necrosavant - MTG Card versions
Cateran Slaver - MTG Card versions
Dakmor Lancer - MTG Card versions
Face of Fear - MTG Card versions
Wire Surgeons - MTG Card versions
Grave Titan - MTG Card versions
Chittering Harvester - MTG Card versions
Crossway Troublemakers - MTG Card versions
Anurid Murkdiver - MTG Card versions
Gempalm Polluter - MTG Card versions
Nefashu - MTG Card versions
Twisted Abomination - MTG Card versions
Iname, Death Aspect - MTG Card versions
Deathcurse Ogre - MTG Card versions
Ink-Eyes, Servant of Oni - MTG Card versions
Yawgmoth Demon - MTG Card versions
Ascendant Evincar - MTG Card versions
Nightmare - Arena Beginner Set (ANB)
Demonic Hordes - Limited Edition Beta (LEB)
Ihsan's Shade - Pro Tour Collector Set (PTC)
Necrosavant - Dominaria Remastered (DMR)
Cateran Slaver - Mercadian Masques (MMQ)
Dakmor Lancer - Seventh Edition (7ED)
Face of Fear - Odyssey (ODY)
Wire Surgeons - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Grave Titan - Fallout (PIP)
Chittering Harvester - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Crossway Troublemakers - Crimson Vow Commander (VOC)
Anurid Murkdiver - Onslaught (ONS)
Gempalm Polluter - Legions (LGN)
Nefashu - Scourge (SCG)
Twisted Abomination - Scourge (SCG)
Iname, Death Aspect - Champions of Kamigawa (CHK)
Deathcurse Ogre - Champions of Kamigawa (CHK)
Ink-Eyes, Servant of Oni - Betrayers of Kamigawa (BOK)
Yawgmoth Demon - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Ascendant Evincar - Tenth Edition (10E)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Nightmare Moon // Princess Luna MTG card by a specific set like Ponies: The Galloping, 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 Nightmare Moon // Princess Luna and other MTG cards:

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