Nemesis (Magic: The Gathering)
| Released | February 14, 2000 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 143 cards | |||
| Keywords | Fading | |||
| Mechanics | Spellshapers, Rebels & Mercenaries | |||
| Development code | Euripides | |||
| Expansion code | NMS | |||
| Second set in the Masques Block block | ||||
| ||||
| ||||
Nemesis is the second set in the Mercadian Masques block of cards of Magic: The Gathering, along with the expansions Mercadian Masques and Prophecy. Its expansion symbol is an Axe.
Storyline
The Phyrexian invasion of Dominaria is nearing; the Dark Lord's plans are almost complete. Only the Planeswalker Urza stands in his way. At the same time, Yawgmoth's Inner Circle decides on the election of the evincar to replace Volrath. The Phyrexian emissary Belbe has to choose between Greven Il-Vec, Ertai, Crovax, and the newly-returned Volrath.
Set History
Nemesis had a fair share of cards appear in well-placing tournament decks. Many of the cards with Fading were quite powerful; the cards Parallax Wave, Parallax Tide, Blastoderm, Saproling Burst, and Tangle Wire all appeared in decks in various formats.
Mechanics
- Fading - As a card with fading comes into play, its controller puts a number of fade counters on it (as specified on the card). At the beginning of its controller's upkeep, that player would remove one counter, unless there were no counters to remove, in which case the card is sacrificed. Cards with fading (e.g., Blastoderm) would normally be considered over-powered without the addition of the ability, and forced the player to use the cards hastily, thus lending fading naturally to large creature.
In Nemesis, new Rebels & Mercenaries were added to the Mercadian Masques repertoire, such as Lin Sivvi, Defiant Hero, which dominated a block constructed Pro Tour before it was banned.
The Seals were a cycle of enchantments that reproduced the effect of instant with that same mana cost, but laid in play ready to trigger. Two of them (Seal of Fire, Seal of Doom) were later reprinted in Dissension.