Nullmage Shepherd MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Elf Shaman
Power 2
Toughness 4

Key Takeaways

  1. Provides ongoing card advantage by utilizing creatures to destroy noncreature permanents without self-sacrifice.
  2. Encourages creature-heavy strategies, turning them into resources for tactical disruption without card loss.
  3. Strategic flexibility is key; use the Shepherd’s ability on the most advantageous target, often at instant-speed times.

Text of card

Tap four untapped creatures you control: Destroy target artifact or enchantment.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Nullmage Shepherd’s ability to destroy multiple artifacts and enchantments without sacrificing itself makes it a powerful utility on the battlefield, providing an ongoing card advantage as long as you can keep a few creatures alongside it.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly increasing your mana pool, the Nullmage Shepherd encourages a creature-heavy strategy, effectively allowing you to use your creatures as a resource to disrupt your opponents’ plans without expending additional cards from your hand.

Instant Speed: Although Nullmage Shepherd’s ability isn’t at instant speed itself, it provides a similar strategic flexibility. You can pass turns without casting spells, holding up the threat of activation, and only using its ability when the most advantageous target presents itself, often during an opponent’s turn or in response to their actions.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: When harnessing the Nullmage Shepherd’s abilities, players must tap four untapped creatures they control. This prerequisite can feel like a discard, significantly impacting board presence, especially if you’re behind or in need of blockers.

Specific Mana Cost: Nullmage Shepherd requires a blend of general and specific mana: three generic and one green. This particular mana requirement ensures that it primarily fits into green-centric or multicolored decks, potentially limiting its flexibility in deck construction.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The four-mana cost for Nullmage Shepherd may seem steep when you consider other utility creatures that offer immediate value upon entering the battlefield or with lower activation costs. Considering the competitive environment where mana efficiency is key, the cost can inhibit the card’s inclusion in fast-paced decks.


Reasons to Include Nullmage Shepherd in Your Collection

Versatility: Nullmage Shepherd can integrate seamlessly into a variety of green decks, specifically those that flourish with creature-based strategies. Its ability to tap four creatures to destroy an artifact or enchantment allows for recurrent control over the board without costing additional mana after it’s played.

Combo Potential: This card is a linchpin in decks that capitalize on tapping and untapping creatures, potentially pairing with cards that untap creatures to use its ability multiple times in a single turn. It’s a boon for strategies that rely on synergizing with creature abilities.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where artifacts and enchantments are common, Nullmage Shepherd can be an important sideboard card or even a mainboard solution, maintaining balance against decks that rely heavily on non-creature spells.


How to beat

Nullmage Shepherd presents a unique puzzle in the MTG universe, with its collective untap ability offering a consistent method to neutralize artifacts and enchantments without spending precious mana. Players facing this card often find traditional removal spells less effective due to its ability to operate without entering the stack.

Counter play involves bypassing the Shepherd’s ability with instant-speed interactions that disrupt the required coalition of creatures. Employing cards like Wrath of God to clear the board, or spot removal spells such as Path to Exile before they muster the necessary group can effectively quell the Shepherd’s influence. It’s also wise to limit the number of creatures you commit to the board while the Nullmage Shepherd is in play, constraining their capacity to activate its ability.

Additionally, consider adopting an aggressive approach to swiftly reduce your opponent’s life total before the Shepherd can establish control. Embrace tactics that position you one step ahead, such as leveraging graveyard synergies or delving into strategies unaffected by Nullmage Shepherd’s targeted abilities, ensuring their impact on the game is minimized.


BurnMana Recommendations

The Nullmage Shepherd MTG card is a gem for those committed to creature-based strategies and looking to maintain dominance over artifacts and enchantments. With the insights and strategy breakdown provided, this card’s value in your deck becomes evident, especially in a meta where such permanents are prevalent. If long-term board control and resource maximization are elements of your game plan, consider integrating Nullmage Shepherd into your deck. Embrace the challenge and adaptability it brings to the table. For players keen on diving deeper into strategic deck building and efficacious gameplay, broaden your horizons with us and discover how to optimize your MTG experience.


Cards like Nullmage Shepherd

Nullmage Shepherd offers a distinct twist on the creature-based control dynamics in Magic: The Gathering. It shares some similarities with Reclamation Sage, which also provides a way to remove artifacts and enchantments upon entering the battlefield. While both are valuable, Nullmage Shepherd requires the tap of four creatures to activate its ability, making it a repeatable resource, unlike the single-use nature of Reclamation Sage. This taps functionality also sets it apart from likes of Naturalize, a spell that instantly destroys target artifact or enchantment but is limited by its single use and place in your spell arsenal.

Another similar card is Cindervines, which passively damages opponents whenever they cast a spell and can be sacrificed for immediate artifact or enchantment removal. While Cindervines is more aggressive and offers consistent damage, Nullmage Shepherd excels in its potential to repeatedly clear the board of troublesome noncreature permanents. Viridian Zealot also offers removal utility, but it comes tethered to a creature body that must be sacrificed to activate the effect. Nullmage Shepherd, once again, showcases its repetitive use advantage.

Ultimately, Nullmage Shepherd stands out with its group tap synergy and multiple use capacity, making it a staple for decks that can muster the necessary creature presence and seek sustained control over artifacts and enchantments.

Reclamation Sage - MTG Card versions
Naturalize - MTG Card versions
Cindervines - MTG Card versions
Viridian Zealot - MTG Card versions
Reclamation Sage - Magic 2015 Promos (PM15)
Naturalize - Onslaught (ONS)
Cindervines - Ravnica Allegiance Promos (PRNA)
Viridian Zealot - Darksteel (DST)

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Golden Bear - Portal Second Age (P02)
Argothian Swine - Urza's Saga (USG)
Elvish Piper - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Erithizon - Mercadian Masques (MMQ)
Saber Ants - Mercadian Masques (MMQ)
Skyshroud Cutter - Nemesis (NEM)
Ulvenwald Oddity // Ulvenwald Behemoth - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Fungusaur - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Viridian Lorebearers - Fifth Dawn (5DN)
Monkey Monkey Monkey - Unhinged (UNH)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Nullmage Shepherd MTG card by a specific set like Salvat 2005 and Salvat 2005, 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 Nullmage Shepherd and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Nullmage Shepherd Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2005-08-22 and 2021-02-05. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12005-08-22Salvat 2005PSAL B402003normalwhiteStephen Tappin
22005-08-22Salvat 2005PSAL B22003normalwhiteStephen Tappin
32005-10-07Ravnica: City of GuildsRAV 1742003normalblackStephen Tappin
42021-02-05Kaldheim CommanderKHC 702015normalblackCampbell White

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Nullmage Shepherd has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

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