Nahiri, Heir of the Ancients – Zendikar Rising MTG Review

David
Fanany
Player
since
1995

The Zendikar Rising web stories involve Nahiri trying to re-create the world that she knew thousands of years ago. Yes, thousands: she’s even older than I would be if I were a storyline character. And the things we saw in Champions of Kamigawa are possibly older still, which means that Azusa probably found what she was seeking long before Urza’s distant ancestors were even born. Even after all this time, I still haven’t figured out how to explain why we have can have them all in the same deck!

Compared to other planeswalkers, Nahiri’s new version has an awful lot of references to specific card types in her game text. Fortunately, both of those types are popular and often powerful, with a powerful pseudo-lord for warriors in the very same set as her (Kargan Intimidator). Drawing more warriors or equipment is a strong addition to a deck that sometimes falls behind the control-style decks, and there are also times where you can just cast her and immediately nuke an opposing Jace or Teferi. That always feels a lot better than it should, just based on the stats.

Constructed: 3/5
Casual: 4/5
Limited: 3/5
Multiplayer: 3/5
Commander: 3/5

Nahiri 4.0 might not be trying to lure ancient tentacled abominations to a plane for an all-you-can-eat buffet, but she’s still got some interesting tricks about her. She’s mechanically focused around Equipment, and while you still have to get them into play, there are plenty of things she can do with stabby and sparkly things. Giving them warm bodies, digging them out, and even throwing them at things…she offers a bit of everything, and while there’s not one thing she does transcendentally well, her skillset can be well-suited as a role player in decks with Warriors and stabby things.

Constructed: 3.25
Casual: 4
Limited: 4
Multiplayer: 3
Commander: 3.75