Nearheath Chaplain MTG Card
2016-04-08 - Number 29
2023-03-21 - Number 38
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Human Cleric |
| Abilities | Lifelink |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Key Takeaways
- Nearheath Chaplain provides card advantage by making Spirit tokens even after being in the graveyard.
- Lifelink and instant speed activation offer strategic benefits and combat flexibility.
- Despite its strengths, it has specific deck requirements and a higher mana cost.
Text of card
Lifelink , Exile Nearheath Chaplain from your graveyard: Put two 1/1 white Spirit creature tokens with flying onto the battlefield. Activate this ability only any time you could cast a sorcery.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Nearheath Chaplain shines in its ability to generate card advantage through graveyard recursion. With the capacity to exile itself from the graveyard to create two 1/1 white Spirit creature tokens with flying, it continues to impact the game even after it’s left the battlefield.
Resource Acceleration: The lifelink ability of Nearheath Chaplain aids in resource acceleration by bolstering your life total, thus providing a buffer that allows you to use life as a resource for additional spells or effects that may require life payments.
Instant Speed: The key to Nearheath Chaplain’s flexibility lies in its activated ability, which can be used at instant speed. This grants you the strategic advantage of creating Spirit tokens during your opponent’s turn, potentially disrupting their combat strategies or simply granting you surprise blockers when needed.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Nearheath Chaplain necessitates the removal of both itself and another card from your graveyard to utilize its full potential. This could be challenging when your graveyard resources are depleted or if you’re strategizing for graveyard-based synergies.
Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a specific mana alignment with two white mana in its cost. This restricts its integration mostly to white-centered or two-color decks, potentially excluding it from a variety of multicolor strategies that don’t heavily feature white mana.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of four mana, Nearheath Chaplain may be considered slow in fast-paced games, where lower-cost creatures could provide quicker board presence or more immediate impact.
Reasons to Include Nearheath Chaplain in Your Collection
Versatility: Nearheath Chaplain stands out with its ability to adapt to different game situations. Its Lifelink ability grants substantial life gain, crucial against aggressive decks, and its potential to become a Spirit can present quite the elusive threat.
Combo Potential: This card shines in graveyard-utilizing strategies, as its ability to exile itself from the graveyard creates two 1/1 white Spirit creature tokens with flying, offering strategic synergy with decks that capitalize on creature token generation or sacrifice mechanics.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where attrition-based tactics prevail, Nearheath Chaplain offers lasting value, fitting seamlessly into many white-focused midrange decks. Its resilience and capability to consistently influence the battlefield make it a sound choice in diverse meta scenarios.
How to beat
Nearheath Chaplain is an intriguing creature card in Magic: The Gathering, known for its versatility in the late game. When you’re up against this resilient cleric, it’s important to consider both its lifelink ability and its potential to come back from the graveyard. Unlike some other creatures, the Nearheath Chaplain can be a persistent threat even after it’s been taken out the first time.
Strategies to overcome this card include using graveyard hate tools like Rest in Peace to prevent it from returning, or relying on exile effects such as Path to Exile to remove it from the game entirely. Counterspells are also effective if you can catch the Chaplain on the stack before it hits the battlefield. Additionally, efficient creature removal like Fatal Push can be valuable to manage the creature before it starts gaining life.
Understanding its strengths and weaknesses, the Nearheath Chaplain’s comeback tendency can be mitigated by diligent graveyard control and the strategic use of removal spells. So, to ensure that the Chaplain doesn’t overstay its welcome, prioritize its removal and keep graveyards clean.
Cards like Nearheath Chaplain
The Nearheath Chaplain card embodies versatility in the world of Magic: The Gathering, slipping seamlessly into strategies that value resilience and recurring presence. It draws parallels to cards such as Doomed Traveler, which similarly provides utility beyond its demise by creating a flying token when it dies. Nevertheless, Nearheath Chaplain strides ahead, offering not just one but two flying tokens through its ability to exile itself from the graveyard, doubling the aerial defense.
Another card that echoes the recurring theme is Dauntless Cathar. It shares the ability to utilize the graveyard to create additional creature tokens. Yet, the Cathar stands apart with a lower casting cost but yields only a single Spirit token. This illustrates trade-offs between potency and efficiency in deck building decisions.
When evaluating these cards side by side, it becomes evident that Nearheath Chaplain shines in environments where maximizing value from each card is crucial. Its potential to enhance the board state post-mortem is a testament to its strength within the myriad of creature cards in Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Nearheath Chaplain by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Nearheath Chaplain MTG card by a specific set like Shadows over Innistrad and Shadows over Innistrad Remastered, 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 Nearheath Chaplain and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Printings
The Nearheath Chaplain Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2016-04-08 and 2023-03-21. Illustrated by Zoltan Boros.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2016-04-08 | Shadows over Innistrad | SOI | 29 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Zoltan Boros | |
| 2 | 2023-03-21 | Shadows over Innistrad Remastered | SIR | 38 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Zoltan Boros |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Nearheath Chaplain has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
