Uvilda, Dean of Perfection // Nassari, Dean of Expression MTG Card


Uvilda offers strategic card advantage by exiling top library cards for later use. Allows casting high-cost spells early by paying four mana and removing a counter. Casting spells at instant speed with Uvilda disrupts opponents’ strategies effectively.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeLegendary Creature — Djinn Wizard
Power 2
Toughness 2

Text of card

: You may exile an instant or sorcery card from your hand and put three hone counters on it. It gains "At the beginning of your upkeep, if this card is exiled, remove a hone counter from it" and "When the last hone counter is removed from this card, if it's exiled, you may cast it. It costs less to cast this way."


Cards like Uvilda, Dean of Perfection // Nassari, Dean of Expression

Uvilda, Dean of Perfection makes a remarkable entry into the realm of MTG card advantage engines. It shares some similarities with cards such as Kess, Dissident Mage, as both allow the casting of spells from another zone. Uvilda, Dean of Perfection, however, leverages a unique mechanic where exiled cards gain nomenclature counters and can be played in upcoming turns, offering a strategic layer Kess doesn’t directly offer.

Goblin Electromancer stands out as well, offering a cost-reduction effect for spells, akin to the third ability of Uvilda. Still, Uvilda provides specific synergy with instants and sorceries by turning them into more potent future plays. Then there’s Baral, Chief of Compliance who also reduces the cost of instant and sorcery spells and provides card advantage, but does so through a different avenue – looting upon resolution of a counter spell – instead of Uvilda’s exile and play later approach.

When delving into the nuances of each card, Uvilda, Dean of Perfection emerges as a powerful option for players who seek to craft a game plan around delayed gratification and spell slinging, positioning her as a distinct and worthy addition to any spell-centric MTG deck.

Kess, Dissident Mage - MTG Card versions
Goblin Electromancer - MTG Card versions
Baral, Chief of Compliance - MTG Card versions
Kess, Dissident Mage - MTG Card versions
Goblin Electromancer - MTG Card versions
Baral, Chief of Compliance - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Uvilda, Dean of Perfection allows you to peek at the top card of your library at any given turn. If it’s a spell, you may exile it with a perfection counter. This continuously refills your hand, giving you a significant edge over opponents by providing new options each turn.

Resource Acceleration: When the time is right, you can use the exiled cards with perfection counters by paying four mana and removing a counter instead of paying their mana cost. Specifically, this ability can give you access to high-cost spells earlier than usual, propelling your game state forward.

Instant Speed: Casting Uvilda’s exiled spells at instant speed offers flexibility. It allows you to respond to your opponent’s moves on their turn or end step, making your strategy difficult to predict and disrupt. Plus, it aligns perfectly with blue’s control-oriented playstyle.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: For Uvilda, Dean of Perfection, one of the drawbacks is the requirement to discard a card to unlock its full potential. If your hand is already depleted or contains valuable cards you’d rather keep, this cost can hinder your overall strategy and diminish your resources at a crucial moment in the game.

Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a specific combination of mana colors to cast, namely blue and red. If your deck isn’t tailored to accommodate these colors or if you lack the mana fixing capabilities, Uvilda may stay stuck in your hand instead of being the game-changer you need on the battlefield.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that can be quite steep in fast-paced games, Uvilda’s mana requirement means you’re allocating resources that may otherwise be used for immediate threats or responses. Other cards in the same mana range could potentially offer more immediate impact without the contingency of additional discards.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Uvilda, Dean of Perfection, can adapt to a diverse array of blue-focused decks. Its ability to exile cards from the top of the library and play them later can offer strategic options whether you’re piloting a control, combo, or even a more casual build.

Combo Potential: With Uvilda on the battlefield, you unlock potential combos by casting spells for no mana cost using ice counters. This can synergize with cards that care about casting spells or playing with the top of your library – think ‘Mystical Sanctuary’ or ‘Brainstorm’ to stack your deck.

Meta-Relevance: Given its unique mechanisms, Uvilda can be particularly effective in current metas that encourage innovative deck-building. This card thrives in environments where unpredictability and playing outside of one’s hand are key to outmaneuvering the opponent.


How to beat

Uvilda, Dean of Perfection presents quite the puzzle in the world of MTG. This clever card not only offers the ability to nab nonland cards from the top three of your library but also plays the long game by allowing you to cast those spells for a mere four mana without paying their mana costs. Such a strategic advantage can seem daunting at first.

To dismantle your opponent’s advantage when facing Uvilda, focus on direct removal spells or countering abilities. Instant speed removals like Murder or Heartless Act disrupt Uvilda’s presence on the board effectively. For those with a counter-heavy deck, a well-timed Negate or Essence Scatter can halt Uvilda’s ascent to perfection before it truly begins. Don’t forget, enchantment-based removals such as Pacifism can also nullify this card’s impact without sending it to the graveyard—where it could potentially return to haunt you.

Strategically speaking, maintaining a balance between offensive pressure and responsive control is key. Always be prepared for their potential plays and have an answer ready, ensuring Uvilda never dictates the flow of the game. By countering their maneuvers and wisely picking your moments to strike, you can keep the dean from schooling you.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering the intricate skills necessary for MTG doesn’t just happen overnight, especially with cards as complex as Uvilda, Dean of Perfection. Its potent abilities offer card advantage and tempo acceleration that can be game-changers if used strategically. If you are keen on mastering such dynamic gameplay mechanics or if you simply wish to bolster your collection with this versatile card, we’ve got you covered. Our platform offers in-depth insights, strategic tips, and detailed guides that can help you optimize your deck with Uvilda. Ready to turn the tides of your matches with clever play? Explore further with us and harness the full potential of your MTG experience.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Uvilda, Dean of Perfection // Nassari, Dean of Expression MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Strixhaven: School of Mages, 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 Uvilda, Dean of Perfection // Nassari, Dean of Expression and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Uvilda, Dean of Perfection // Nassari, Dean of Expression Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2021-04-23 and 2021-04-23. Illustrated by Jason Rainville.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 902522015Modal DFCBlackJason Rainville
22021-04-23Strixhaven: School of MagesSTX 3322015Modal DFCBlackJason Rainville
32021-04-23Strixhaven: School of MagesSTX 1602015Modal DFCBlackJason Rainville

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Uvilda, Dean of Perfection // Nassari, Dean of Expression has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Uvilda, Dean of Perfection // Nassari, Dean of Expression card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2021-04-16 After removing the last hone counter, casting the spell is optional. Timing permissions based on the card’s type are ignored. If an effect prohibits you from casting the card or you choose not to cast it, it remains exiled with no hone counters on it, and you won’t be able to cast it later.
2021-04-16 Any cards exiled with Nassari’s ability that you don’t cast will remain exiled. You won’t be able to cast those cards on future turns, although Nassari’s ability will give you another group of cards to choose from each time it resolves.
2021-04-16 Nassari’s last ability triggers when you cast any spell from exile, not just the cards that were exiled with its first ability.
2021-04-16 The cost reduction given by Uvilda, Dean of Perfection won’t reduce any colored mana requirements in the spell’s cost.
2021-04-16 To determine the total cost of a spell, start with the mana cost or alternative cost you’re paying, add any cost increases, then apply any cost reductions (such as that of Uvilda, Dean of Perfection). The mana value of the spell is determined only by its mana cost, no matter what the total cost to cast the spell was.
2021-04-16 You exile cards with Nassari, Dean of Expression face up. Casting those spells is subject to the normal timing restrictions for spells.