Nekrataal
| Nekrataal | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Creature Type | |
| (Subtype for creature/kindred cards) | |
| Introduced | Visions |
| Last used | Obsolete |
| Updated to | Human Assassin |
Nekrataal is an obsolete creature type for a type of Human Assassin from Dominaria.
History
Nekrataal debuted as a creature type in Visions on the eponymous card Nekrataal. It was later errata'd to be a Human Assassin when Ninth Edition was released.[1] Originally, Wizards of the Coast had planned to name the Nekrataal Djinn in Arabian Nights "Sheitan", but by the time the set was finalized, none of the proposed "Sheitan" cards had been cut. When Visions was printed several years later, there was a single Sheitan in the set, but Wizards had discovered that the word "Satan" is derived from "Sheitan" and decided to rename it to Nekrataal (a made-up word).[2] In response to the name change, the card Nekrataal was re-concepted, and the commissioned illustration wasn't of a sheitan but of an Arabic-looking human.
Nekrataal was also featured as a Vanguard avatar in Magic Online that decreased the player's hand size by 1, their starting life by 4, but reduced all creature spells by one black mana.
Description
Jolrael called the Nekrataal one of the horrors that Kaervek freed on Jamuraa.[3] In their original art, they appear to be humans wearing desert-style clothing who wield a curved blade. They received updated art in Tenth Edition showing them stealthily looking over a caravan while wielding two curved blades with numerous knives strapped to their chest. It was said that their victims didn't have time to feel despair.[4]
Gallery
-
Updated Tenth Edition art
In-game references
- Represented in:
References
- ↑ Wizards of the Coast (August 1, 2005). "Ask Wizards - August 2005". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on 2020-08-05.
- ↑ The Duelist #15 (Vol. 4, issue 1), February 1997. p.63.
- ↑ Nekrataal (Visions) flavor text
- ↑ Nekrataal (Commander 2014) flavor text
