better than birds of paradise? first turn it's a 1/2 with tri-mana tapping!
stygimoloch
★★★☆☆ (4.0/5.0)(10 votes)
Better than Birds of Paradise in the right deck... but I suspect more decks are the 'right' deck for Birds.
snakeform_lol
★★★☆☆ (3.3/5.0)(6 votes)
Noble Hierarch is definitely a great card. If you're running anywhere close to W,U, or G mana it is a definite shoe-in for a one drop. However, Birds of Paradise are still the standard one drop mana fixer since they are a bit kinder to Red and Black.
The only thing I hate about this card is drawing it on turn five. But, hey! At least it has exhalted so I guess even then it's not a total loss...
BenKHS
★★★★☆ (4.2/5.0)(8 votes)
understanding that MTG creates cards to be played within their block, This is literally the most key card a Bant deck could want. In a bant deck everything must be exalted, plus she taps for mana! On the first turn no less!!! this means you're playing a giltspire avenger second turn, rafiq of the many third turn, and a battlegrace angel the fourth. if you cannot win with that combination then you should be ashamed...
Liam_Beveridge
★★☆☆☆ (2.8/5.0)(3 votes)
This cards rocks. What is not good about ti?
UncleJeebus
★★★★☆ (4.1/5.0)(5 votes)
Gotta love a one drop mana fix. GOTTA love that same mana fix if it furthers your strategy for the deck. One of the few great rares in conflux.
C9owy
★★★☆☆ (3.9/5.0)(4 votes)
it accerlates you into a second turn, troll ascetic or rhox war monk. if he attacks he get an exalted bonus, what do you want more?
nineyears
★★★☆☆ (3.1/5.0)(4 votes)
this card is a must in all bant decks and if you dont have it... sorry your deck is incomplete. She was an inmediate 4 in my deck.
trevathecleva
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.8/5.0)(5 votes)
This card is an uncommon in a rare suit so it can sell more packs. rare=gold (literally)
Talshor
★★★★☆ (4.2/5.0)(17 votes)
You play it first turn 2nd turn: I don't care, aim for Ardent Plea to get two more exalted 3rd turn: Rafiq of the Many 4th Turn: Finest Hour, attack with Rafiq, he'll deal 42 damage. You win
PaladinOfSunhome
★★☆☆☆ (2.2/5.0)(3 votes)
Awesome card. Give all your creatures Exalted and tap for any of three mana? Better than Bird of Paradice in my oppinion.
4.0
True_Mumin
★★★★☆ (4.6/5.0)(8 votes)
She indeed is better than Birds in a right deck. It's also great how you don't really need to be playing a deck centered around exalted to make the most of her abilities. You don't even have to be playing aggro strategy. I use her in a mana ramp/control build and she makes everything work so much better. Power, speed, versatility - Noble Hierarch has it all. 5/5
VirtueVsVice
★★★☆☆ (3.5/5.0)(3 votes)
Virtually always better than Llanowar Elves in every situation (unless you plan on using your Llanowar for offense, which happens from one horrid time to another). Well, I suppose it's creature type isn't as useful in Elf decks...
True_Smog
★★★★☆ (4.0/5.0)(2 votes)
Verry good card, even better than BoP in Aggro-Controll decks.
KnightLord77
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.5/5.0)(3 votes)
Type your comment here.
Orim-s_Thunder
★★☆☆☆ (2.8/5.0)(2 votes)
I find it interesting that this card and Blighting have no colors in common.
Or rather, the only Birds-esque creature in Alara block isn't suitable for casting Blightning turn 2.
SwordSkill
★★☆☆☆ (2.8/5.0)(2 votes)
Required to Band... recommended for other decks who play near GWU. We, on the other hand who don't that much money (Who play Jund.) are stuck with birds at the best situation.
Gomorrah
★★★★☆ (4.2/5.0)(5 votes)
Nah it's 42 I think. Because there's 2 combat phases, if attacks alone twice, it will get twice as many exalted bonuses. For the first combat phase 3/3+5 exalted makes for an 8/8 double strike (16 damage), and in the second combat phase an 8/8 double strike+5 more exalted means 13/13 double strike (26 damage), which totals for 42 damage.
gcilley
★★☆☆☆ (2.2/5.0)(3 votes)
@Talshor: 32 damage... but point taken.
EDIT: I see now... the +5/+5 is until end of turn. That is pretty insane.
Tezz
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.5/5.0)(1 vote)
why?....
opinionfailure
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
The art work for this card is pretty sick too.
lufia22
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Seriously one of my favorite cards right now. I'm gonna be sad to see her go in standard.
Kurraga
★★★★☆ (4.3/5.0)(10 votes)
I don't get what the designers were thinking, "Hey lets make a birds like creatures but for only one shard", "sounds cool, I think bant would fit best" "but it needs something to fit the shard's theme, Exalted would work well" "Yeah! and because it's a mana fixer we could make her a 0/1 so she can't be used for offence like Llanowar Elves, there, perfectly balanced" "oh wait..." Yeah I don't get it.
Try havaing to face a second one on turn 2 and be hit my a 2/3 birds of bant, very annoying.
EvilCleavage
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
She's awesome, but way too expensive to buy. It would be cool if they had an exalted version of Llanowar Elves or something.
Baconradar
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
As others have pointed out, superb because it is so versatile. Just a card that goes in basically every W/U/G deck ever and plenty with just two of those colours.
juggaladada
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
For those keeping track of how this card is better than Llanowar Elves:
This card can still be used offensively, it attacks as a 1/2 if it's the only creature attacking.
Pwnsaw
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
The correct order for "The blow out" is as follows:
1st turn: Noble Hierarch 2nd turn: Rhox War Monk 3rd turn: Rafiq of the Many (10 lifelink) 4th Turn: Finest Hour, attack with Rhox War Monk twice. (30 lifelink)
I think an 80 point life swing should work out pretty well.
MasterOfEtherium
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.5/5.0)(2 votes)
Turn 2, Rhox War Monk, Nultread Gargantuan, Cold Eyed Selkie, Bant Charm, Snake Form, Shielding Plax
And Thats Just One Of My Decks. 5/5 Plus Exalted This Beautiful Girl Keeps Stackin.
NeoMint
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.5/5.0)(1 vote)
Unimaginative dreck.
bijart_dauth
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
This card is a worthy option if your only running two of the 3 colors, i would even go as far to say as only 1. She's another llanowar elf (unless your planning on useing his elf status) who brings exalted to the party, whats not to like?
KnightOfSerra
★★★★☆ (4.2/5.0)(3 votes)
I wish I could afford a playset of these. My Exalted deck would be so awsome.
automatic 5/5 in my book. Too good to pass up in Bant. not only do i see mana accel, but also exalted acceleration. (newly coined term)
BegleOne
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.5/5.0)(2 votes)
A mite powerful.
I just can't believe they resisted the urge to make it a "mythicrare". C'mon guys, this could've been worth $40 or $50 right out of the pack! Then tons more people would've played the game! I guess they finally figured that out with the slightly-less-powerful Lotus Cobra a couple sets later. Good job Wizards!
mrbgddy
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(1 vote)
This card might be the most well-rounded one-drop creature EVER. Borderline broken and insanely useful in many situations. Can't think of a reason not to play it in a deck that's even green and only one of the other colors. 5 stars hands down!
sonorhC
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(3 votes)
Not only can she attack for the same amount as Llanowar Elves, but she also contributes to your attack even if she's not the one attacking (like, if you're using her for mana, as you almost always will).
My only complaint is that she can't go into an EDH deck if you're only running two of her three colors.
Cheezinator
★★★☆☆ (3.7/5.0)(7 votes)
For years, one could argue using Llanowar Elves over Birds of Paradise because having 1 power was a valuable thing. Noble Hierarch has ended that debate. It can still ping early like the Elves, it gets you enough colors to be a functional Birds, and unlike either, it is never a dead draw late-game. The only thing Birds still have going for them is that they can fly in carrying a sword. The role of Llanowar Elves has been reduced to tribal decks :(
Lueseto
★★★★☆ (4.1/5.0)(5 votes)
All hail the almighty Queen of One-Drops.
j_mindfingerpainter
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(1 vote)
@ TheWrathofShane: Actually prices are determined by five things:
How awesome the card is
How many people think the card is awesome
The rarity of the card
What formats the card is legal in
How long the card has been out
Even if the card is legal in all formats, is brand new, is rare (or even mythic), and is awesome, it doesn't necessarily make it expensive if no one else likes the card. Torpor Orb for example. It did a fair amount of stuff in Standard sideboards and TONS in Modern sideboards. But because not many people bought playsets, it was ~1.95 when it was legal in Standard.
And I can see why. Birds is good enough, but this thing gives you a large buffet of mana colors to choose from, and ALSO gives you a boost for all your creatures.
Cyberium
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
It's a hard competition, Noble Hierarch vs Mother of Runes for best 1 drop, but good thing they serve different functions, it's not hard to include both if you're willing.
TheWrathofShane
★★☆☆☆ (2.0/5.0)(3 votes)
Stupid exalted. I would love to have this card just to get mana fixer alongside birds at range. The exalted ensures a SPIKE card... and the rarity level dramatically increases its $$$.
Did they really need to outclass birds of paradise??
Edit: Also, her flavor does not make sense. With an 0/1 body, she is not blocking anything.
Salient
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Currently the #1 green creature with a {T} ability. ^_^
FourEx
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.5/5.0)(2 votes)
better than birds???? exalted is good but not great, just like this card. sorry, just can't get excited about mana sources. 3/5
Gloom_Sturgeon
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
I've been playing since dark ascension with w/g humans using Avacyn's Pilgrim as my mana fixing one drop human.... WHY AM I JUST DISCOVERING THIS NOW!? the pilgrim is only 2/5ths of what this card brings to the table!!
Apart from the blatantly obvious (if you're playing red or black) she's better than birds. Flying is a better ability than exalted, but not on 1-drop mana creatures.
She is absolutely not better than mother of runes. Sure she fixes your mana, but mamaroonie saves your creatures, gets them through unblocked, counters spells and turns sweepers into card advantage.
Mistralis
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
@FourEx If you can't appreciate ramp, then sorry, there's nothing I can do for you there. It's like learning not to target your opponent with Sign in Blood.
@Laguz You can't compare those cards; they fulfill completely different purposes. Noble Hierarch is for fixing, ramp, and providing extra damage. Mother of Runes is for saving creatures or blocking single ones. Sometimes she will be used to make creatures unblockable, but that usually doesn't happen, and it's more likely for your opponent to have more than one creature color than more than one Mother of Runes. They have almost no overlap besides the fact that they're both 1-mana humans with a tap ability.
jonrds
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(1 vote)
@TheWrathofShane
I totally agree with you. Getting a mana base for Simic is annoyingly expensive. When birds are the only 1 drop ramp you can use, thats $10 out the door right there. Add in 4 Hinterland Harbor and thats another $10. It adds up quickly when you are looking to spend around $50 on a deck.
I'm fine with Spike's having their top-tier, $50 cards, I just wish there were some slightly more specialized cards for budget players that wouldn't set them behind in tempo. We don't need flying and any color of mana or exalted or any of those fancy things, we just want to be able to reliably drop a color intensive 3 drop turn 2.
zeniongames
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
I don't get why this card is so expensive. It's really only good in decks that want to attack with creatures or cast spells.
Comments (51)
The only thing I hate about this card is drawing it on turn five. But, hey! At least it has exhalted so I guess even then it's not a total loss...
2nd turn: I don't care, aim for Ardent Plea to get two more exalted
3rd turn: Rafiq of the Many
4th Turn: Finest Hour, attack with Rafiq, he'll deal 42 damage. You win
4.0
Or rather, the only Birds-esque creature in Alara block isn't suitable for casting Blightning turn 2.
EDIT: I see now... the +5/+5 is until end of turn. That is pretty insane.
"sounds cool, I think bant would fit best"
"but it needs something to fit the shard's theme, Exalted would work well"
"Yeah! and because it's a mana fixer we could make her a 0/1 so she can't be used for offence like Llanowar Elves, there, perfectly balanced"
"oh wait..."
Yeah I don't get it.
Try havaing to face a second one on turn 2 and be hit my a 2/3 birds of bant, very annoying.
This card can still be used offensively, it attacks as a 1/2 if it's the only creature attacking.
1st turn: Noble Hierarch
2nd turn: Rhox War Monk
3rd turn: Rafiq of the Many (10 lifelink)
4th Turn: Finest Hour, attack with Rhox War Monk twice. (30 lifelink)
I think an 80 point life swing should work out pretty well.
And Thats Just One Of My Decks. 5/5 Plus Exalted This Beautiful Girl Keeps Stackin.
I just can't believe they resisted the urge to make it a "mythic rare". C'mon guys, this could've been worth $40 or $50 right out of the pack! Then tons more people would've played the game! I guess they finally figured that out with the slightly-less-powerful Lotus Cobra a couple sets later. Good job Wizards!
My only complaint is that she can't go into an EDH deck if you're only running two of her three colors.
How awesome the card is
How many people think the card is awesome
The rarity of the card
What formats the card is legal in
How long the card has been out
Even if the card is legal in all formats, is brand new, is rare (or even mythic), and is awesome, it doesn't necessarily make it expensive if no one else likes the card. Torpor Orb for example. It did a fair amount of stuff in Standard sideboards and TONS in Modern sideboards. But because not many people bought playsets, it was ~1.95 when it was legal in Standard.
And I can see why. Birds is good enough, but this thing gives you a large buffet of mana colors to choose from, and ALSO gives you a boost for all your creatures.
Did they really need to outclass birds of paradise??
Edit: Also, her flavor does not make sense. With an 0/1 body, she is not blocking anything.
...wimper...
She is absolutely not better than mother of runes. Sure she fixes your mana, but mamaroonie saves your creatures, gets them through unblocked, counters spells and turns sweepers into card advantage.
@Laguz You can't compare those cards; they fulfill completely different purposes. Noble Hierarch is for fixing, ramp, and providing extra damage. Mother of Runes is for saving creatures or blocking single ones. Sometimes she will be used to make creatures unblockable, but that usually doesn't happen, and it's more likely for your opponent to have more than one creature color than more than one Mother of Runes. They have almost no overlap besides the fact that they're both 1-mana humans with a tap ability.
I totally agree with you. Getting a mana base for Simic is annoyingly expensive. When birds are the only 1 drop ramp you can use, thats $10 out the door right there. Add in 4 Hinterland Harbor and thats another $10. It adds up quickly when you are looking to spend around $50 on a deck.
I'm fine with Spike's having their top-tier, $50 cards, I just wish there were some slightly more specialized cards for budget players that wouldn't set them behind in tempo. We don't need flying and any color of mana or exalted or any of those fancy things, we just want to be able to reliably drop a color intensive 3 drop turn 2.