Narset Transcendent. How to play her.
The Kitchen Table forum
Posted on May 23, 2015, 12:46 p.m. by The_Kris
I like building creaturless decks, and I have two copies of Narset Transcendent I want to try, but I'd like to know if anyone is playing her, in Standard, Modern, Legacy, Commander, Casual, or whatever. What has been your experience with this card? How do you play it? I'd liketo get ideas, although I think she's not a card you build a deck around, or is it? She could be a 2-of at most, or maybe a good EDH addition?
I think flashback and kicker mechanics work well with her -2. Also, I love scry and other topdeck manipulation effects, but is it worth emphasizing this just for her? Tokens might be another option. I'm ok with any format, I'd just like to get the most out of this card.
You actually can build around her if you want. Not saying you have to, but it's not wrong to. She's very decent. The dragonlords in standard are so powerful that people are using them in control decks rather than Narset but that doesn't mean narset is bad. You just can't afford to play a narset on turn 4 and chance your opponent dropping an ojutai on turn 5.
May 23, 2015 1:05 p.m.
ItchiUchiha117 says... #4
To note, rebound does not work when you are casting a card for its flashback cost. Rebound specifically triggers when cast from the hand. That said, getting three uses out of a Lingering Souls isn't nothing.
May 23, 2015 1:11 p.m.
She can be a 3-4 of in any control build that plays upwards of 20 instants and sorceries. You don't have to necessarily build around her but you do need a high instant / sorcery count.
May 23, 2015 1:37 p.m.
If you like EDH, you can easily build a Super Friends deck with her included.
To include her, here are a few commander options for the Super Friends list:
BANT: Angus Mackenzie - fog their attacks to protect your PWs
5-COLOR: Sliver Queen. All the best PWs with lots of ramp. SQ lets you pump out blockers with the extra mana and you can also include infinite combo kills
ESPER: Lady Evangela - similar fog effect, though less effective.
There are plenty of options as good generals for Super Friends, these were just a few I have seen in action that include U/W.
May 23, 2015 3:35 p.m.
I tried playing her in my standard jeskai heroic/prowess deck, with about 24 instants and sorceries. but she was lackluster. Her +1 is draw 1/3 of a card and by the time I got her out, her -2 didn't have any good targets. Chandra, Pyromaster fares much better in her spot.
May 23, 2015 3:40 p.m.
yes, I realized she doesn't impact the board directly and her high starting loyalty is sort of "balanced" by a mediocre +1. Her -2 basically turns instants into sorceries, and four mana isn't cheap for a 'walker that can't at least shunt or chump an attacker. Nevertheless, I will use her!
Bant or Esper are starting to look good. Token-producing spells seem like a good idea. I'd love to build a SuperFriends edh, but I only have a few planeswalkers. Thanks for all the Ideas so far, keep 'em coming! I'll post a probable deck once I'm ready.
May 24, 2015 12:42 a.m.
Rhadamanthus says... #9
I have a copy in my Dakkon Blackblade commander deck, basically as a way to draw cards and soak up damage/removal. A couple days ago I got her emblem out against a control opponent who couldn't stop her. It was pretty funny.
May 24, 2015 9:35 a.m.
I like narset, but don't know if she is any better or adds to the jeskai ascendancy.
May 25, 2015 5:18 p.m.
FinchFalcon says... #11
I'm playing her in my Oloro EDH deck- she's pretty decent. Not usually game ending, but frequently means I draw an extra card, and with things like Sensei's Divining Top she becomes quite good. And on the off chance I hit her ult, I usually win.
CharlesMandore says... #2
No, you don't build around her. Her ult isn't specacular in my opinion, but she is pretty great. She provides decent utility. You're right that she's a two-of.
Here's my build that includes her, but doesn't revolve around her. Don't let the name throw you off.
Abzan Cruel Control (8 Rack/12 Post/ Tron)
May 23, 2015 12:58 p.m.