Today we focus on a fun little Initiate.  Nial, Vizier of Dexterity is a lot more dangerous than it looks.  It’s one of the cheapest cards in the Light Civilization’s untapping arsenal and has the potential to put away almost any player with a soft defense.  Let’s have a look…

 

Nial, Vizier of Dexterity

 

Cost: 3

Race: Initiate

 

Civilization: Light

Type: Creature

Rules Text:

·         At the end of each of your turns, you may untap this creature.

 

Power: 2500

The Light Civilization is typically good when it comes to its mana to power ratio.  However in Nial’s case there is a slight shortage.  For 3 mana we get a creature with 2500 power.  While it’s fortunate that it doesn’t fall into the typical 2000 power range, it’s still fairly weak for the mana cost.  At least the extra 500 power does put Nial out of the typical weenie kill range (Crimson Hammer, Phantom Dragon’s Flame, Burst Shot, etc.) and allows it to kill the ever-so-popular 2000 power creatures.

 

Now we get into Nial’s geatest asset, which is it’s effect.  At the end of each of your turns you can choose to untap Nial.  This is what make Nial such a threat.  If your opponent has a soft defense and has no blockers or just 2000 power blockers then Nial will have all day to dance all over his/her shields.  Opponents normally prefer to fight back with their enormous threats but in Nial’s case since you get to untap it at the end of your turn, your opponent’s creatures can’t touch it (except for Bazagazeal and a few others).

 

Nial is truly a nuisance and in some ways can be as irritating for an opponent as Pyrofighter Magnus.  Be sure to try it out and give your opponent a hard time.  Just remember, if your opponent eventually brings something out to stop it, then just evolve into Craze Valkyrie and turn up the heat.

 

The Good:  It’s cheap and for a creature with this type of effect, it has a lot of power.  Nial was obviously designed to be very aggressive.

 

The Bad:  It’s still a small creature and can be ineffective against an opponent who is well-prepared.

 

The Ugly:  Ugly is hardly the case.  Just don’t forget your evos.

 

Constructed Rating: 4/5 – Just like Pyrofighter, Nial is a nuisance and is difficult to get rid of.  Don’t ever relent.

 

Limited Rating: 4.5/5 – Blockers and creature removal are usually difficult to come by in limited.  Nial will be able to slam into your opponent’s shields without receiving a scratch.

 

Please feel free to post your comments, questions, and/or objections on the Message Board and I’ll be more than happy to respond.  Happy dueling!