Until now, Transformed cards haven’t had a unified home in MTG. Offering incredible payoffs hidden behind extremely difficult conditions, most of these cards often build a deck in and of themselves. Now, however, Marvel Super Heroes has just given players an extremely busted Transform Commander with the unlikeliest of faces.
MTG Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Typically not associated as a powerhouse in the Marvel Universe, Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. has an absurdly powerful ability in MTG. Capable of putting something into play, Transformed, Nick Fury ignores the criteria required to flip over some of the most game-breaking win conditions. This means that we finally have a way to put Dark Ascension’s Withengar, Unbound into play directly.
Of course, Nick Fury comes with his caveats, the biggest being that his ability is a Power-up. Fortunately, flicker effects like Conjurer’s Closet and Ephemerate can fix this, refreshing Nick Fury’s ability for additional usage. Outside of that, you can also use cards like Ember Island Production and Quantum Misalignment to create token copies of Nick Fury with fresh activated abilities.
Since Nick Fury can only cheat in cards among the top seven of your deck, organizing your library becomes another hurdle. The original tutor cycle, including Vampiric Tutor, Enlightened Tutor, and Worldly Tutor, is the easiest way to do this, putting whatever you want on top of your deck. Alternatively, Brainstorm and Scroll Rack can put Nick Fury hits in your back on top of your deck.
Once you’ve settled all of Nick Fury’s particularities, it’s time to start cheating some powerful cards into play. While monstrous Heroes, like Ultimate Spider-Man are great thematic choices for Nick Fury, there are some interesting transform cards outside of Marvel’s sets to try. Ixalan’s transforming equipment, like Conqueror’s Galleon and Dowsing Dagger, can create a lot of value with Nick Fury.
While Nick Fury’s novelty lies in Transforming, he’s also capable of cheating in some massive one-sided threats. Monstrous Vehicles like Parhelion II, or equipment like Kaldra Compleat, for example, can easily take over the game when cheated in. Throw in ability-doubling effects, like Roaming Throne or Strionic Resonator, and Nick Fury can start cheating in multiple bombs for each ability activation.
Going Further
While Nick Fury’s triggered ability is quite powerful, the cards it can hit are surprisingly limited. Fortunately, that can be fixed by Maskwood Nexus or Conspiracy, turning your entire deck into Heroes. This allows you to hit some absolutely busted Transform cards, like Etali, Primal Conqueror, but none are quite as powerful as Aang, Master of Elements.
Functioning as a mini-Omniscience, cheating this card into play sets up dozens of different infinite combos, easily winning the game. Combine Aang, Master of Elements with Searing Touch, for example, and you have infinite damage. While Aang can reduce colored sources, they can also be colorless, making Searing Touch with Buyback free.
If all of this weren’t enough, Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. even has cEDH potential. Bizarrely, Nick Fury’s value at Commander’s top tables is as a one-mana five-colored Commander, and nothing else. This essentially allows cEDH players to jam all of the format’s best cards into one deck with an aggressive Commander.
While Nick Fury being reduced to just a five-color Savannah Lions is a bit disappointing, it does have a lot of MTG players excited. Whether you’re trying to upgrade your five-color cEDH deck or cheat in some iconic transforming MTG cards, Nick Fury should make for a fun build.
Stick with us here at mtgrocks.com: the best site for Magic: The Gathering coverage. Be sure to check out our deckbuilder for your next big brew, and our brand new MTG Rocks Podcast!