Nissa Revane

Nissa Revane

The List Mythic
Mana Cost: {2}{G}{G}
Type: Legendary Planeswalker — Nissa
Nissa Revane Text:
+1: Search your library for a card named Nissa's Chosen, put it onto the battlefield, then shuffle. +1: You gain 2 life for each Elf you control. −7: Search your library for any number of Elf creature cards, put them onto the battlefield, then shuffle.
Artist: Jaime Jones
World Average Price: $5.60 (avg of $6.77 & €4.43)
Collector Number: ZEN-170
Release Date: 2020-09-01
Art crop

Full Analysis

Generated on 2025-06-29T08:48:38.498914

Nissa Revane: A Powerful and Versatile Planeswalker

TL;DR Summary Nissa Revane is a powerful planeswalker with unique abilities that can significantly impact the game state. Her +1 ability allows her to search for and play key cards, while her -7 ability enables her to create an army of Elves on the battlefield.

Detailed Card Mechanics and Interactions

Nissa Revane's abilities are centered around Elves, a type of creature that is often overlooked in Magic: The Gathering. Her +1 ability allows her to search for Nissa's Chosen, a powerful Elf creature card that can be played on the battlefield, potentially creating a board presence and setting up future plays.

This ability also has a secondary effect of gaining 2 life for each Elf controlled by Nissa Revane, making it an attractive option for players who want to generate life while developing their board. Additionally, her +1 ability can be used in conjunction with cards like Sylvan Library, which allows players to draw a card from their library without having to search for it.

The -7 ability is where things get really interesting. When activated, it allows Nissa Revane to search her library for any number of Elf creature cards and put them onto the battlefield. This can result in a massive board presence, as multiple Elves can be played simultaneously, creating an army of creatures to attack with.

However, this ability has some limitations. For example, it requires Nissa Revane to have access to her library, which may not always be the case if she is in combat or using other abilities. Additionally, there is a chance that the cards drawn from the library may not be Elven creatures, limiting its effectiveness.

Strategic Uses and Combos

Nissa Revane's abilities can be used in a variety of strategic ways, depending on the player's deck and playstyle.

One common strategy involves playing Nissa's Chosen early on to set up for future plays. This card provides a strong foundation for an Elf-based board presence and can be supported by additional Elves and other creatures.

Another approach is to use Nissa Revane's +1 ability to gain life and then activate her -7 ability later in the game, when she has more Elves under her control. This allows her to create an army of Elves that can attack with a significant advantage.

Some decks also include Nissa Revane as part of an Elf-based combo deck, where the goal is to generate an insurmountable board presence by playing multiple Elves and supporting them with other creatures and spells.

Deckbuilding Roles and Archetypes

Nissa Revane can be used in a variety of deck archetypes, including:

  • Mono-Green Midrange: This deck focuses on developing a strong board presence using Elves and other creatures.
  • Elf-heavy Combo: This deck prioritizes playing multiple Elves to create an insurmountable board presence.
  • Control Elf: This deck uses Nissa Revane's abilities to generate life and then use that advantage to control the game through spells and creatures.

In general, decks that feature Nissa Revane are often more focused on generating a strong board presence than controlling the opponent. However, some players may choose to include her in more aggressive decks or control decks to add an additional layer of strategy.

Format Viability and Competitive Context

Nissa Revane has been a staple of the Modern format for many years, and her abilities continue to be powerful in this metagame. Her ability to generate an army of Elves makes her particularly well-suited for aggressive decks that focus on dealing damage quickly.

However, Nissa Revane's power level can also make her more challenging to pilot, as players need to carefully manage their library and board presence to maximize the effectiveness of her abilities.

In recent years, there has been a growing trend towards more controlling decks that focus on outmaneuvering opponents rather than dealing damage quickly. These decks often struggle with Nissa Revane's ability to generate an insurmountable board presence.

Rules Interactions and Technical Notes

Nissa Revane's abilities interact with other cards in various ways, including:

  • Sylvan Library: This card allows players to draw a card from their library without having to search for it. Nissa Revane's +1 ability can be used in conjunction with Sylvan Library to quickly generate Elf creatures.
  • Forest: The mana source requirement of Nissa Revane's -7 ability makes her less accessible on the early game, when Forests are often scarce.

Nissa Revane also interacts with other planeswalkers, including those from the same color (G) and other colors. Her abilities can be used in combination with those of other planeswalkers to create powerful synergies.

Art, Flavor, and Historical Context

Nissa Revane is a powerful and iconic planeswalker from the world of Magic: The Gathering. Her art features her as a wise and powerful druid, surrounded by nature and animals.

In terms of flavor, Nissa Revane's abilities reflect her connection to the natural world and her role as a guardian of the forest. Her +1 ability allows her to search for Nissa's Chosen, a creature that is deeply connected to the natural world, while her -7 ability enables her to put multiple Elves on the battlefield, reflecting her desire to protect and preserve the balance of nature.

Historically, Nissa Revane has been a staple of the Modern format, with appearances in many top-tier decks over the years. Her abilities have remained powerful throughout this time, making her one of the most popular planeswalkers in Magic: The Gathering.

Summary of Key Points

In conclusion, Nissa Revane is a powerful and versatile planeswalker whose abilities can significantly impact the game state. Her +1 ability allows her to search for and play key cards, while her -7 ability enables her to create an army of Elves on the battlefield.

Her strategic uses include playing Nissa's Chosen early on to set up for future plays, using Nissa Revane's abilities to gain life and then activate her -7 ability later in the game, and including her in Elf-heavy combo decks or Mono-Green Midrange builds.

In terms of deckbuilding roles and archetype, Nissa Revane can be used in a variety of ways, from aggressive decks that focus on generating an army of Elves to more controlling decks that prioritize outmaneuvering opponents.

Overall, Nissa Revane remains one of the most powerful planeswalkers in Magic: The Gathering, with abilities that continue to impact the game state in meaningful ways.

Cards Mentioned in This Review
No other cards mentioned in this review.