It's kind of weird how Nissa and Jace 2.0 came out in the same block, they more or less represent opposite sides of Planeswalker design. Nissa's abilities are very specific, she's more or less useless outside of a dedicated elf deck. I wouldn't call that a bad thing, it's bad design when cards exist that are auto-includes in any deck. See Jace 2.0 in blue for a perfect example, if you played blue before Jace 2.0 got banned, you played 4 copies of him if you had 340ish bucks to spare on a card game. Back to the main point, I think we need more Nissa-style planeswalkers that fit niche deck archetypes. Better than seeing the same damned card in ever deck that runs its color.
Posted By:
Nucleon
(8/4/2011 11:38:08 AM)
How does this have such a low rating? I mean sure, outside of an elf deck, Nissa isn't as good as some planswalkers...But in an elf deck she is so sexy.
Posted By:
Quentil
(5/30/2012 2:34:07 PM)
I think calling this gal "too narrow" is like calling sliver legion too narrow because it applies only to slivers. Yes, she needs elves, but that is what's cool about her. You won't see her in every green deck just because she's a green planeswalker. Not every rare card should be able to be crammed into every single deck just because you splash its colors.
If you don't want an elf deck then don't get Nissa! Simple as that. This is an awesome card for the creature type that she applies to.
Posted By:
Dragasm
(8/8/2012 12:09:54 AM)
I see nothing wrong with a 4-drop planeswalker that produces 2/3s.
Posted By:
Axelle
(1/31/2013 10:02:52 PM)
I really don't see why she's rated low. She has a Wellwisher ability on crack, guys. And it GIVES her loyalty. Have you ever played against a Wellwisher?
Posted By:
Arachnos
(2/5/2013 12:17:37 PM)
You know, I really hate elves, but I like Nissa. Sure, they could have made her have more starting loyalty to survive a bolt, and the first ability is kinda strange, but it's nice to go back and look at the Zendikar 'walkers when all the new, OP crapp like Baneslayer Angels get to you. Though there could be some changes, this is how I think 'walkers should be--good in a deck suited for them, but not necessary to have in any deck playing green to be competitive. So though she has some flaws, I think that she is a great example of where to start designing 'walkers
4/5
Posted By:
Superllama12
(11/8/2011 6:55:45 AM)
@Raptorman: People aren't rating her on usefulness. I fight against an Elf deck with her, Nissa's Chosen, Wellwisher, Asceticism and a lot of other nasty ass elf-boosters. Oh, and a couple of the legendary Eldrazi, cos you gotta do something with all that mana.
It's a brutal deck, no-one's denying she's good. It's just that she's irritatingly narrow when you compare her with other planeswalkers who tend to fit into nearly any deck that can use their colours - the only other planeswalker to have a tribal ability, Sarkhan the Mad, is designed to be used in any deck that can splash him, with an insane ability for the dragon decks that do.
There is also the Tezzerets with their artifacts I suppose, but they're much broader in terms of use (equipment, specific role artifacts, etc), though I will admit Tezzeret, Agent of Bolas is getting close to awkward.
It's just that people liked ... (see all)
Posted By:
psychichobo
(12/19/2012 4:22:01 PM)
I love her, yeah she is specialized, but that's okay, because Elves are fun to begin with. I run her in an Elf EDH. So with 99 other cards, and the vast majority of non-lands being creatures, her ult is pretty damn sweet. And before you even have to worry about using it, you are going to be sitting on a massive amount of life, between her, Wellwisher, and Seeker of Skybreak (4 life per elf per turn)
Posted By:
Promethial
(1/2/2013 12:33:55 AM)
-7: Elf yourself.
Posted By:
Salient
(1/14/2013 9:54:25 PM)
Aha! You guys are forgetting something important... Proliferate! Use Nissa's Chosen to sac each turn with that proliferate green thing in Mirrodin Beseiged, and she pops up to 7 in no time.
Posted By:
land_comment
(3/9/2011 8:45:25 AM)