Sewer Nemesis MTG Card


Sewer Nemesis intensifies as opponents cast spells, leveraging graveyard growth for power gains. Aligns with decks exploiting graveyards, impacting gameplay with indirect resource acceleration. Induces vulnerability in opponents through its milling effect, pairing well with instant spells.
Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Horror
Abilities Mill
Power *
Toughness *

Text of card

As Sewer Nemesis enters the battlefield, choose a player. Sewer Nemesis's power and toughness are each equal to the number of cards in the chosen player's graveyard. Whenever the chosen player casts a spell, that player puts the top card of his or her library into his or her graveyard.


Cards like Sewer Nemesis

In the realm of unique creature cards in Magic: The Gathering, Sewer Nemesis stands out due to its distinct mechanics that revolve around graveyard size. Comparable to Nighthowler, both creatures grow stronger as graveyards become more populated. Nevertheless, Sewer Nemesis has a targeted approach, choosing a specific player’s graveyard to determine its power and toughness, while Nighthowler benefits from the combined graveyards’ card count.

Another creature that shares some similarities is Guiltfeeder, which, like Sewer Nemesis, can become a significant threat based on an opponent’s graveyard content. However, instead of growing in size, it deals damage directly to an opponent’s life total. Moreover, Mortivore also adjusts its power and toughness based on graveyard content, but it does so by accounting for all graveyards and has the added advantage of regeneration.

Analyzing the different mechanics and strategies these creatures provide, Sewer Nemesis is a formidable force in decks that manipulate both your own and your opponent’s graveyards. Its ability to become a substantial creature and disrupt an opponent’s strategy through graveyard-exile synergy makes it a strong consideration for players looking to utilize one of Magic: The Gathering’s darker and more cunning strategies.

Nighthowler - MTG Card versions
Guiltfeeder - MTG Card versions
Mortivore - MTG Card versions
Nighthowler - MTG Card versions
Guiltfeeder - MTG Card versions
Mortivore - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Sewer Nemesis by color, type and mana cost

Hell's Caretaker - MTG Card versions
Rag Man - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Debaser - MTG Card versions
Xiahou Dun, the One-Eyed - MTG Card versions
Slinking Skirge - MTG Card versions
Gravedigger - MTG Card versions
Scandalmonger - MTG Card versions
Urborg Shambler - MTG Card versions
Whispering Shade - MTG Card versions
Cabal Surgeon - MTG Card versions
Filth - MTG Card versions
Demon of Catastrophes - MTG Card versions
Bold Plagiarist - MTG Card versions
Dirge Bat - MTG Card versions
Gixian Puppeteer - MTG Card versions
Toxin Sliver - MTG Card versions
Vampiric Spirit - MTG Card versions
Nim Shambler - MTG Card versions
Bad Ass - MTG Card versions
Scourge of Numai - MTG Card versions
Hell's Caretaker - MTG Card versions
Rag Man - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Debaser - MTG Card versions
Xiahou Dun, the One-Eyed - MTG Card versions
Slinking Skirge - MTG Card versions
Gravedigger - MTG Card versions
Scandalmonger - MTG Card versions
Urborg Shambler - MTG Card versions
Whispering Shade - MTG Card versions
Cabal Surgeon - MTG Card versions
Filth - MTG Card versions
Demon of Catastrophes - MTG Card versions
Bold Plagiarist - MTG Card versions
Dirge Bat - MTG Card versions
Gixian Puppeteer - MTG Card versions
Toxin Sliver - MTG Card versions
Vampiric Spirit - MTG Card versions
Nim Shambler - MTG Card versions
Bad Ass - MTG Card versions
Scourge of Numai - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Sewer Nemesis shines as a dynamic addition to decks looking to benefit from graveyards. Whenever the chosen player casts a spell, a new card gets tucked into their graveyard, directly translating to a power and toughness boost for Sewer Nemesis. This constant growth can quickly tip the scales, providing you with a formidable creature on the battlefield that can outsize opponents’ threats.

Resource Acceleration: Through its unique interaction with opponent’s libraries, Sewer Nemesis aids in indirectly accelerating your resources. As it feeds on your adversary’s graveyard, it fuels strategies synergistic with graveyard play, such as reanimation or delve effects, thereby unlocking potential for accelerated plays far beyond the card’s initial scope.

Instant Speed: While Sewer Nemesis itself is not an instant-speed card, its continuous milling effect can be leveraged against opponents using instant speed spells. Each instant they cast not only strengthens Sewer Nemesis but also fills their graveyard, making them vulnerable to your instant speed removals or graveyard manipulation tactics when they least expect it.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Sewer Nemesis challenges players by demanding a specific card be chosen from a graveyard to fuel its ability. This could prove restrictive when graveyards are empty or if pivotal cards cannot be spared.

Specific Mana Cost: Sewer Nemesis’s casting requirement of one black and three generic mana can be a hindrance in multi-colored decks not heavily reliant on swamps or mana-fixing resources.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Though it scales with graveyard size, Sewer Nemesis starts off as a potentially costly investment. Alternate creatures or spells may provide more immediate impact on the game for a similar, or even reduced, mana investment.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Sewer Nemesis is a creature that can effortlessly adapt to various game plans. Fitting into graveyard-centric decks, this creature grows stronger as you fill your or your opponent’s graveyard. Its scalability makes it a formidable inclusion in any collection.

Combo Potential: This card serves as a powerful combo piece for decks that manipulate graveyard contents. It not only scales in power with the number of cards in a chosen graveyard but also forces opponents to mill further, synergizing with strategies that capitalize on a large graveyard.

Meta-Relevance: With graveyard strategies often being a component of competitive play, Sewer Nemesis holds its ground in the meta. Its inherent milling effect can disrupt opponent tactics while bolstering its own strength, making it a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield.


How to beat

Sewer Nemesis is a formidable creature card that poses a unique challenge in MTG matches. Found lurking in the darker expansions of Magic: The Gathering, this creature becomes more potent with each card in an opponent’s graveyard. To effectively counter Sewer Nemesis, players need to adopt strategies that minimize graveyard build-up. Tactics like employing cards that exile or shuffle graveyards back into the library can prove to be effective countermeasures. By reducing the number of cards available in the graveyard, Sewer Nemesis’s strength is kept in check.

Moreover, since Sewer Nemesis assigns a chosen player as its nemesis, spells or abilities that change controller or protect the chosen player can also undermine its power. Creatures with protection or shroud abilities can safeguard against its targeted attacks. Adaptive strategies and being intentional about the cards that hit the graveyard are key to overcoming the escalating threat of Sewer Nemesis. Always stay one step ahead, keep graveyards clean, and this sewer dweller’s dominance can be mitigated.

Ultimately, rendering Sewer Nemesis less intimidating is about strategy and deck composition, highlighting the dynamic intricacies of Magic: The Gathering. Keep these tips in mind during your next encounter with this challenging adversary.


BurnMana Recommendations

Embarking on a strategic journey with Sewer Nemesis in your MTG arsenal? Consider this a unique opportunity to enhance your deck with a creature that thrives on the evolving game state. Whether expanding your collection or honing your deck-building skills, Sewer Nemesis is a versatile card that offers options for both offense and utility. Keep in mind the balance of power and resource management to make the most of its abilities. Dive deeper into the intricacies of graveyard strategies, discover the full potential of your collection, and gain the upper hand against your opponents. We welcome you to explore more insights and strategies to leverage Sewer Nemesis to its fullest. Set the stage for victory, and may your next game showcase the cunning prowess of Sewer Nemesis.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Sewer Nemesis MTG card by a specific set like Commander 2011 and Commander Anthology Volume II, 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 Sewer Nemesis and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Sewer Nemesis Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2011-06-17 and 2022-06-10. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12011-06-17Commander 2011CMD 982003NormalBlackNils Hamm
22018-06-08Commander Anthology Volume IICM2 752015NormalBlackNils Hamm
32019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 7672015NormalBlackNils Hamm
42020-09-26The ListPLST CM2-752015NormalBlackNils Hamm
52022-06-10Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's GateCLB 7712015NormalBlackUriah Voth

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Sewer Nemesis has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Sewer Nemesis card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2011-09-22 If the chosen player leaves the game, Sewer Nemesis's power and toughness each become 0. Unless another effect is raising its toughness above 0, it will be put into its owner's graveyard as a state-based action.