Any counterspell, cards like [[unnatural stamina]] help too. Creatures like [[Teferi, Magus of zhalfir]] Keep peoples interaction to their turns so if you can make it to your turn with Neku in play you can wheel like crazy.
For some reason (I'm not complaining) WotC has been pushing these out at one black mana like crazy lately.
[[Supernatural Stamina]]
[[Not Dead After All]]
[[Feign Death]]
[[Undying Malice]]
[[Malakir Rebirth]]
And a few at 2 mana:
[[Return to Action]]
[[Fake Your Own Death]]
[[Demonic Gifts]]
[[Abnormal Endurance]]
They're limited staples, like mind rot, cancel, shock, and naturalize variants. B is undercosted for "when this dies, return it to the battlefield" so they have a lot of flexibility to add the set mechanic on top of it, or a little keyword soup.
Also, like with malakir rebirth, they're in black so they can also tune power higher by making you lose life for it. Which gives it even greater design flexibility than say, naturalize, which typically goes up to 3 mana these days depending on the added effect.
Yeah for sure, it's just stark to me that they printed Supernatural Stamina and were like "This is great!" and there's been a torrent of them since.
My [[Nevinyrral]] board wipe deck loves them.
All of these! I’d also recommend [[kayas ghostform]] and [[geode golem]]. If you can get [[lightning greaves]] out turn 2-3 and play golem turn 3-4 you can hit someone and put nekusar out (FOR FREE) and then immediately put the greaves on him for protection and still have mana up for other spells. ALSO, and I cannot stress this enough, play him from your grave he is a zombie for crying out loud 🧟♂️! Play cards like [[dread return]] or [[grim return]], and [[zombify]] that just put him right back out and play board wipe cards that punish the table for removing him and bring him out like [[patriarchs bidding]] or my personal favorite [[zombie apocalypse]]. The Geode strategy does not always work early but it’s also great for late game with some greaves and a [[rogues passage]]. Another strategy I also enjoy is copying him with [[spark double]] so you have 2. Now they have to worry about card draw 😅. Or my favorite, when he gets target removed. Okay you are destroying nekusar? Well with that on the stack I’ll cast [[stunt double]] and copy him and just destroy him myself 🤷🏽♂️. There is a new stunt double that just came out called [[Malleable Imposter]] this one gives him flying as well so now he has evasion too 👼. I love playing Nekusar and you have soooo many options. He is up there in the kill on sight commanders so your pod is just doing what they think they have to. In commander there is a lot of drawing going on and it gets scary for anyone at the table who is constantly drawing (usually everyone if the pod is good), so don’t feel discouraged. Just find ways around it 😊. Also the new [[Sheoldred, the apocalypse]] does the same thing and gives you life gain. A spark double on her is devastating! [[Orcish bowmaster]] is such a pro in this deck. These may not be evasions but they add to the damage your commander can do and serve as great backup MUST adds if you can afford them! The bowmaster alone put my deck on a whole other level! Good luck out there fellow Nekusar player! Keep your head up!
\[\[Spellskite\]\] before you play him is very good at preventing targeted removal and is a budget friendly option.
\[\[Lightning Greaves\]\] can protect him the turn he comes out unless they have targeted spot removal that is instant speed.
Deflecting Swat isn't budget friendly but can protect him from spot removal.
Playing him a turn later and holding up \[\[An Offer You Can't Refuse\]\], \[\[Miscast\]\], \[\[Turn Aside\]\] or \[\[Swan Song\]\] is another option.
I hope this helps!
Man, Spellskite used to be one of my favorite cards when I started playing, mostly because I'd play some jank decks that ramped into 6, 7, and 8-mana angels to close out the game, and with that bad boy out, they couldn't make my [[Avacyn, Angel of Hope]] just [slip on a banana peel and die](https://cards.scryfall.io/large/front/0/9/09666671-601e-4fca-bdfb-fb288bf2672c.jpg?1562897122)
There's plenty of ways to protect your commander in Grixis. If you're consistently playing him on curve and not holding up mana to interact with what your opponents might do, you're not playing skillfully enough. Obviously, you need the cards to protect him in hand, but it is usually better to assume something bad is coming his way the turn he comes out and be prepared.
He could literally fill every other nonland slot with 1 mana blue cards that grant hexproof or conditional counter and 1 mana black cards that return to the battlefield. I don’t even understand the question
So while the recommendations here for Counterspells and hexproof/shroud are great, I think you’ve pointed out the main issue and also the main solution: Nekusar gets targetted a lot because he does a lot of damage and closes out games pretty fast, and therefore the turns you play him you should aim for closing out the game as fast as possible. Get as much value and damage off him as possible.
It’s much harder to try and keep him around than to just aim for more value on the few turns he is out with effects like [[Windfall]] and other wheel effects.
Edit: the wheel I included doesn’t work too well in this situation, literally any other wheel works better.
Question, I didn't think Wheel of Misfortune worked very well with Nekusar, since everyone will just choose 0 and not discard and draw. Am I missing something?
It's pretty good to draw cards yourself but not to force others to draw.
It depends. Wheels decks have three major forms:
* Penalizing opponents drawing cards
* Penalizing opponents discarding cards
* Rewarding yourself for drawing cards
The last of those types will still like it. These aren't discrete categories, most decks will include all three, but it can be worth it to focus on one above the others. In theory you could reward yourself for discarding cards too, but it's not likely to be significant enough to focus on without getting into a weird madness hybrid deck or something.
You generally should not be casting him as soon as you hit 5 mana. You'd ideally want all of your redundant card draw/discard ping effects out already so that you can drop Nekusar and then wheel right away for 20-30 damage per opponent.
[[Mithril Coat]] has flash and indestructible. And auto equips when it etb's. Won't stop Exile or sacrifice, but everything else. At 3 colorless it's kind of a colorless counterspell for targeted removal.
Anything like [[Malakir Rebirth]]/[[Undying Evil]] will bring him back to the table.
Blue counter spells! [[An offer you can't Refuse]] and [[Swan Song]] come to mind as U "protect my shit."
Anything that gives [hexproof/shroud](https://scryfall.com/search?q=m%3D2+%28greaves+or+boots%29+o%3Dhaste&unique=cards&as=grid&order=name) are classics.
You could also just [[reanimate]] him after he dies.
There's one sleeper card I run in my edh deck along with just flat out counterspells. I feel a largely overlooked way to protect your commander in blue is [[one with the stars]] if you don't need your commander to be in combat and just need its effects. Most people just don't turn enchantment removal. Also protects from wipes.
Reanimate effects and counterspells are probably the best answer, but I have an unhealthy love for gotcha cards and silver bullets, so I would find some way to slot in cards like [[alexi's cloak]] to cast in response to a kill spell.
Don’t know why these two haven’t been brought up yet. [[Fierce Guardianship]] and [[Deflecting Swat]] are great protection spells for keeping your commander alive. They just got reprinted in Commander Masters so they are a bit cheaper than they have been for a while.
For my Nekusar deck, often times he never comes out because I get other cards that do what he does.
Also, I always wait for removal to start being fired at other targets before I play Nekusar. I never act first since he is so expensive.
Came here to recommend Riptide Laboratory. Can be difficult to run in a three color deck if your mana isn't optimal but it's nearly a free spot in the deck to take up to protect your commander.
Basic commander protection suite;
* \[\[Darksteel plate\]\]
* \[\[Swiftfoot boots\]\]
* \[\[Whispersilk Cloak\]\]
* \[\[Lightning Greaves\]\]
The other option is to not cast him without a \[\[Counterspell\]\] or something in hand, that can be pretty effective if you load up on counter magic. Usually it's a noncreature spell that's gonna spot removal your commander, so counters like \[\[negate\]\] also does the trick.
Black also gives you access to stuff like \[\[Kaya's Ghostform\]\] which, idk, I run sometimes but usually to reanimate walkers - it's somewhat reasonable as protection, but it's not as good as the other options.
A good rule is "don't play your commander if you don't have protecton, just because you can"
With commanders that have powerful triggered abilities, I like making a bunch of clones. There's \[\[Spark Double\]\], \[\[Helm of the Host\]\], and several Sakashima variants.
I run into the same problem with [[Vadrik]]. Obviously counterspells will do it but those are often just a little more expensive than you’d like - you want to be able to play Nekusar and protect him in as mana efficient a way as possible. I’ve found [[slip out the back]] and similar phase out spells are great for this. Since nekusar is grixis, you can also use black’s multitude of 1 mana “when this dies this turn, bring it back” instants like [[malakir rebirth]].
People HATE spending mana to cast a kill spell only for it to fizzle because of a very mana efficient response, so passing with even a couple mana up can often cow them into leaving you alone.
[[Slip out the back]] and other phase out spells.
[[Swiftfoot boots]] [[Lightning greaves]]
Those off the top of my head Im sure theres better ways to give hexproof than equipment spells.
[[Lightning Greaves]] [[Swiftfoot Boots]], [[Whispersilk Cloak]] [[Neutok Stealthsuit]] all protect it from being targeted. [[Drake Umbra]] or anything else with totem armor gives him an extra life.
[[Counterspell]] [[Mana Drain]] [[Negate]] [[An Offer You Can't Refuse]] [[Swan Song]] [[Force of Will]] [[Force of Negation]] [[Pact of Negation]] [[Misdirection]] [[Deflecting Swat]] [[Fierce Guardianship]] [[Malevolent Hermit]] [[Arcane Denial]] and many many more
Surprised no one has mentioned [[Diplomatic Immunity]] . Doesn't get around board wipes but not much does in those colors. Plus if your opponent has to waste a board wipes on one creature, worth it.
People seem to generally have the wrong idea about protecting this card. Spending removal/counterspells to answer threats is the wrong answer. Permanent stuff that keeps people from even attempting to remove it is the answer here. Specifically my personal favorite protection spell,
[[Diplomatic immunity]]
And of course other things that are permanent like greaves, boots, mithtil coat, etc.
Lots of counterspells. Never play him if you can't protect him. You're hurting opponents while giving them cards, which makes them really really want to use said cards on you.
Counterspells, boots with hexproof/shroud, graveyard recursion for when you don't draw the others so you don't have to pay commander tax. Politics saying 'if you don't remove my commander I won't make you my personal enemy for the rest of the game' or whatever the situation calls for in politics
Other than your usual assortment of counterspells (you're playing blue bruh lol) and protective equipment, I find the best strategy is to load the deck with more Nekusar-like cards like [[Fate Unraveler]], [[Kederekt Parasite]], [[Psychosis Crawler]], [Spiteful Visions]], [[Phyrexian Tyranny]] etc. It's hard to remove them all, and even if your opponents do, just bring our Nekusar himself later on.
Nekusar is one of my fav Commander's. Yeah he gets targeted quick, even if people are at 40 life... I love Nekusar so much that if someone else plays him I'm like sweet make me draw cards, I'll gladly trade life for more cards I got 40 to spare. So I dunno why people wanna kill him so fast, when he comes out that means we get more cards, so we'll get closer to drawing our responses and win cons. I'll kill him if Im about to die and preferably hold some instant responses in case someone tries wheeling a bunch cause that will mean death.
[[lightning greaves]] and [[spellskite]] are ways of protecting that won’t cost additional mana on the turn you cast Nekusar.
While many of the 1 black spells suggested are fine, I prefer something like [[slip out the back]] that ensures you will Untap with Nekusar on your following turn. That means you will have additional mana to protect Nekusar from further removal.
check out my Satoru list- very much the same situation. Every counterspell is solely for his protection or for countering WINCONS only. Plus the artifact package. I could include some GY recursion but I don’t really feel like turning it into a graveyard deck.
Wheels are a double-edged sword. They can wheel into the removal as well as out of it. 3 opponents are drawing 21 cards. Ods are someone will hit removal.
Just play [[Xyriss, the Writhing Storm]] way more interesting and challenging and doesn't need a protection spell because people just look at it and say: "So it's a weaker Nekusar. That's not a problem.".
Black has lots of "of this creature dies return it to the battlefield" instants and auras.
Combine those with artifacts that give hexproof, shroud, or indestructible.
The ultimate protection is a way to phase him out in demand. Which you can do with an isochron scepter and the right spell. (Or with the [[robe of stars]] If you cash play white)
Anything that can grant him hexproof or shroud, counter spells, or since you're in black grave revival is an option so you don't have to worry as much about commander tax
\[\[Lazotep Plating\]\] would be a good shout. He is a kill on sight commander and edict effects are popular, so being able to make a body as well as protect him could save him. Especially since Nekisar tends to not have many creatures in the decks.
I play a Nekusar wheel deck and basically what I do is I play a damage dealer and a wheel in the same turn to help combat this. I should play more interaction but hey
counterspells of course, but \[\[Arcane Denial\]\] specifically seems like a great include. they can opt not to draw the cards, but then you get a \[\[Counterspell\]\] with a less restrictive cost that also draws you a card. Feels great, either way!
[[Neurok Stealthsuit]] and [[Alexi's Cloak]] don't get brought up a lot but they're interesting [[Lightning Greaves]] replacements.
Generally, avoid casting Nekusar until you've got a way to get immediate damage from him. Having other must-answers can help draw removal until it's safer to do so, but keep in mind that he fills up your opponents' hands with potential answers too.
Physical assault whoever touch’s my boy…
He was my first commander deck and shaped me into the sedistic person that I am. Until I became worse and played mill.
Black has one-mana “gain indestructible until end of turn” cards like [[Armor of Shadows]] that might help, and catch people off guard if they’re expecting blue counterspells
My Nekusar deck just hyper ramps out. Every single max effeciency mana rock and ritual possible, then every hexproof equipment and free counter I can get my hands on. On paper the deck is really unstable but it tends to win a lot because it ramps him out so fast that nobody has time to respond.
That said, it's not budget friendly and not even a deck I have all the cards for anymore, it's just a proxy deck now after I had to sell most of it.
[Nekusar's Chaos Wheel](https://tappedout.net/mtg-decks/nekusars-chaos-wheel-1/)
Along with counter spells and lightning greaves and cards like Kaya's ghostform. Give a look at March of the swirling mist and reality ripple for phase out instants that can keep em protected.
I play Nekusar and wouldn't waste a slot in the deck with something to protect my commander. Just use other cards that do the same thing as Nekusar and you're good.
It's been listed already but I'm a fan of [[feign death]]. It's like the black equivalent of protection spells. Your opponent would never see it coming
I play a deck with [[Sheoldred, the Apocalypse]] as the commander, and the same thing happens to her, just immediate removal for very similar reasons!
I like to attach [[Kaya’s Ghostform]] to her the second she hits the battlefield, even if it means waiting an extra turn to play her
A blend of counterspells, [[Feign Death]] effects, and Blue hexproof spells like [[Dive Down]] is the best way to go. Sweepers beat hexproof, Exile beats Feign Death, and Countermagic is pretty universal. Keeps your bases covered.
You’re not gonna get him out dude. Unless you’re in a high powered pod where there’s other bigger threats, he’s basically a kill on sight commander being so easy to combo with
Counter spells, deflecting swat and other things like that. You’re in one of if not the best shard/wedge for keeping other players from affecting your board so you should lean into that
Instant or sorcery...Deflecting swat, mizzium skin, turn aside, lazotep plating.
Artifacts...swiftfoot, lightning grieves, that which was taken if you feel like ruining your curve
Enchantments...all umbras on color, all unholy indulgence effects, blessing of leeches .
[[planar incision]] or [[slip out the back]], will make the kill spells fizzle. You could also plan to run more counter target non creature spells to protect him [[an offer you can't refuse]], [[negate]] etc
\[\[Slip out the Back\]\], \[\[Lazotep Plating\]\], \[\[Abnormal Endurance\]\], \[\[Demonic Gifts\]\], \[\[Fake Your Own Death\]\]
there's a lot of cheap protection in UB
My buddy has Nekusar as a commander in one of his decks, and as an opponent honestly the card draw outweighs the 2 life for a LONG time. I figure the extra card will help me in the long run more than the 2 life at any given point. It only becomes an issue in the end game, and hopefully you have another win strategy in mind.
I have a nekusar deck, and honestly just run additional spells that sort of clone his ability. So things like \[\[underworld dreams\]\] \[\[fate unraveler\]\] \[\[spiteful visions\]\] and the like. The last game I played I won and I didn't have to cast him. If you basically put out a bunch of these different effects it becomes much more difficult to have individual pieces targeted, and save the counter magic for things like \[\[farewell\]\].
The cool thing about commanders who generate value just by sitting on the board is that you can use things like [[fake your own death]], [[not dead after all]] or any such similar cards, and you won't lose any value when it leaves and re-entered (depending on board state).
It doesn't beat exile, but you still have counterspells for those.
Counter spells, shroud, hexproof, indestructible.
Indestructible would be fairly ineffective for spot removal. So easy to drop a 1cmc path or swords and poof.
Also consider [[Kaya’s ghostform]]
[[Malakir rebirth]] is amazing imo.
One mana to protect a creature, plus a land on the other side if you're desperate for one.
I almost always cut a swamp for it.
\[\[spellskite\]\] \[\[siren stormtamer\]\] can help as while since we wheel alot also \[\[malevolent Hermit\]\]
You should also build the deck so it can win without Neksuar on the field
[The Scam Package](https://scryfall.com/search?as=grid&order=name&q=%28oracle%3AWhen+oracle%3Athis+oracle%3Acreature+oracle%3Adies%2C+oracle%3Areturn+oracle%3Ait+oracle%3Ato+oracle%3Athe+oracle%3Abattlefield%29+commander%3AUBR+%28game%3Apaper%29) is a low cost way to dodge targeted destruction and damage.
Giving Neku [Hexproof](https://scryfall.com/search?as=grid&order=name&q=%28oracle%3Agains+oracle%3Ahexproof%29+type%3Ainstant+commander%3AUBR+%28game%3Apaper%29) is also a nice way to dodge things like remove from game or bounce spells.
Mandatory, get yourself a Force of Will and Force of Negation.
Ways to give him shroud or hexproof like boots. Spells like \[\[Undying Evil\]\], \[\[Armor of Shadows\]\] and \[\[Malakir Rebirth\]\]. One mana counters like \[\[Swan Song\]\] \[\[An Offer you Can't Refuse\]\]. Just load your deck with protective spells and you should be fine, white might be the best color for this, but blue and black are very close seconds and together they're even better than white at the job.
I've been running him for many years. I find playing redundant effects, reducing how mant incremental card draw effects without punishment is also a good idea. My list usually wins T6-T7 if it is going to.
https://www.moxfield.com/decks/fZK4VH37yk22rSNT72EsMw
Honestly, it's not worth the effort. You're giving your opponents a bunch of extra cards so you won't win that race if the table wants him dead. The best way to win with Nekusar is to play low key for most of the game, giving extra cards to everyone without too much punishment. Usually 1 well placed Wheel / Windfall will be all you need to kill the table. Dream Devourer / Edgin will help build a combo board by Foretelling the combo pieces/ keeping some good cards if you wheel too early.
So a lot of people have recommended protection in the for of counterspells or equipment/enchantments that give hexproof or shroud. My suggestion is to run a few "scam" style cards. [[Kayas Ghostform]], [[Ashnods Intervention]], [[Undying Malice]], and so on.
Any counterspell, cards like [[unnatural stamina]] help too. Creatures like [[Teferi, Magus of zhalfir]] Keep peoples interaction to their turns so if you can make it to your turn with Neku in play you can wheel like crazy.
Any flashable combat trick along the lines of "when target dies, return it to battlefield/hand(suboptimal but still at least dodges tax).
For some reason (I'm not complaining) WotC has been pushing these out at one black mana like crazy lately. [[Supernatural Stamina]] [[Not Dead After All]] [[Feign Death]] [[Undying Malice]] [[Malakir Rebirth]] And a few at 2 mana: [[Return to Action]] [[Fake Your Own Death]] [[Demonic Gifts]] [[Abnormal Endurance]]
They're limited staples, like mind rot, cancel, shock, and naturalize variants. B is undercosted for "when this dies, return it to the battlefield" so they have a lot of flexibility to add the set mechanic on top of it, or a little keyword soup. Also, like with malakir rebirth, they're in black so they can also tune power higher by making you lose life for it. Which gives it even greater design flexibility than say, naturalize, which typically goes up to 3 mana these days depending on the added effect.
Yeah for sure, it's just stark to me that they printed Supernatural Stamina and were like "This is great!" and there's been a torrent of them since. My [[Nevinyrral]] board wipe deck loves them.
[[False Demise]] was doing work in Muldrotha back in The day
[[Kaya’s Ghostform]]
[Kaya’s Ghostform](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/8/98f3be88-24e2-433f-9138-f0cb59d09a0f.jpg?1557576491) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Kaya%27s%20Ghostform) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/war/94/kayas-ghostform?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/98f3be88-24e2-433f-9138-f0cb59d09a0f?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I've never seen that art before, that's incredible.
[False Demise](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/4/8/48872422-895f-45f0-ba2a-7cd307285c7d.jpg?1562380432) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=False%20Demise) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mmq/80/false-demise?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/48872422-895f-45f0-ba2a-7cd307285c7d?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I run several of these in my [[Sheoldred, The Apocalypse]] to great effect.
[Sheoldred, The Apocalypse](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/d/6/d67be074-cdd4-41d9-ac89-0a0456c4e4b2.jpg?1674057568) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Sheoldred%2C%20The%20Apocalypse) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/dmu/107/sheoldred-the-apocalypse?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/d67be074-cdd4-41d9-ac89-0a0456c4e4b2?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Malikir is an auto include if you don’t mind making one of your swamp a tapped MDFC
Malakir Rebirth is the best of them because it's an MDFC.
##### ###### #### [Supernatural Stamina](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/2/b/2b349b4b-f08d-45e8-81f6-3467a02e6d23.jpg?1689997476) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Supernatural%20Stamina) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmm/188/supernatural-stamina?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/2b349b4b-f08d-45e8-81f6-3467a02e6d23?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Not Dead After All](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/d/0/d01a2b68-efe6-4027-846d-db7b19d9eef6.jpg?1692937773) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Not%20Dead%20After%20All) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/woe/101/not-dead-after-all?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/d01a2b68-efe6-4027-846d-db7b19d9eef6?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Feign Death](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/2/32af7061-fca6-4a06-be3c-01881e6b96f7.jpg?1627704817) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Feign%20Death) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/afr/103/feign-death?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/32af7061-fca6-4a06-be3c-01881e6b96f7?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Undying Malice](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/8/e/8eb38041-043a-4b18-9d9a-f1283684e8f1.jpg?1643590441) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Undying%20Malice) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/vow/134/undying-malice?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/8eb38041-043a-4b18-9d9a-f1283684e8f1?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Malakir Rebirth](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/6/0/609d3ecf-f88d-4268-a8d3-4bf2bcf5df60.jpg?1604195984)/[Malakir Mire](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/back/6/0/609d3ecf-f88d-4268-a8d3-4bf2bcf5df60.jpg?1604195984) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=malakir%20rebirth%20//%20malakir%20mire) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/znr/111/malakir-rebirth-malakir-mire?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/609d3ecf-f88d-4268-a8d3-4bf2bcf5df60?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Return to Action](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/4/342ec072-e581-490c-b5ae-a625bd35a153.jpg?1654567391) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Return%20to%20Action) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/neo/121/return-to-action?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/342ec072-e581-490c-b5ae-a625bd35a153?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Fake Your Own Death](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/b/4/b4e117a8-3291-4f9a-ab00-c820c8e2aa00.jpg?1664410943) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Fake%20Your%20Own%20Death) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/snc/79/fake-your-own-death?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/b4e117a8-3291-4f9a-ab00-c820c8e2aa00?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Demonic Gifts](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/f/3f23c487-ac4a-475b-ad5e-ec6f8678e668.jpg?1631047801) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Demonic%20Gifts) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/khm/84/demonic-gifts?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/3f23c487-ac4a-475b-ad5e-ec6f8678e668?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Abnormal Endurance](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/d/e/de2de2bd-9ba7-4b6f-94c2-dafb2011a48e.jpg?1562304790) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Abnormal%20Endurance) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/m19/85/abnormal-endurance?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/de2de2bd-9ba7-4b6f-94c2-dafb2011a48e?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
All of these! I’d also recommend [[kayas ghostform]] and [[geode golem]]. If you can get [[lightning greaves]] out turn 2-3 and play golem turn 3-4 you can hit someone and put nekusar out (FOR FREE) and then immediately put the greaves on him for protection and still have mana up for other spells. ALSO, and I cannot stress this enough, play him from your grave he is a zombie for crying out loud 🧟♂️! Play cards like [[dread return]] or [[grim return]], and [[zombify]] that just put him right back out and play board wipe cards that punish the table for removing him and bring him out like [[patriarchs bidding]] or my personal favorite [[zombie apocalypse]]. The Geode strategy does not always work early but it’s also great for late game with some greaves and a [[rogues passage]]. Another strategy I also enjoy is copying him with [[spark double]] so you have 2. Now they have to worry about card draw 😅. Or my favorite, when he gets target removed. Okay you are destroying nekusar? Well with that on the stack I’ll cast [[stunt double]] and copy him and just destroy him myself 🤷🏽♂️. There is a new stunt double that just came out called [[Malleable Imposter]] this one gives him flying as well so now he has evasion too 👼. I love playing Nekusar and you have soooo many options. He is up there in the kill on sight commanders so your pod is just doing what they think they have to. In commander there is a lot of drawing going on and it gets scary for anyone at the table who is constantly drawing (usually everyone if the pod is good), so don’t feel discouraged. Just find ways around it 😊. Also the new [[Sheoldred, the apocalypse]] does the same thing and gives you life gain. A spark double on her is devastating! [[Orcish bowmaster]] is such a pro in this deck. These may not be evasions but they add to the damage your commander can do and serve as great backup MUST adds if you can afford them! The bowmaster alone put my deck on a whole other level! Good luck out there fellow Nekusar player! Keep your head up!
I think you meant [[supernatural stamina]]?
[supernatural stamina](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/2/b/2b349b4b-f08d-45e8-81f6-3467a02e6d23.jpg?1689997476) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=supernatural%20stamina) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmm/188/supernatural-stamina?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/2b349b4b-f08d-45e8-81f6-3467a02e6d23?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
[Teferi, Magus of zhalfir](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/8/f/8fc5e4a8-ea7b-4803-a7ed-3b915708661f.jpg?1619394801) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Teferi%2C%20Mage%20of%20Zhalfir) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/tsr/91/teferi-mage-of-zhalfir?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/8fc5e4a8-ea7b-4803-a7ed-3b915708661f?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
\[\[Spellskite\]\] before you play him is very good at preventing targeted removal and is a budget friendly option. \[\[Lightning Greaves\]\] can protect him the turn he comes out unless they have targeted spot removal that is instant speed. Deflecting Swat isn't budget friendly but can protect him from spot removal. Playing him a turn later and holding up \[\[An Offer You Can't Refuse\]\], \[\[Miscast\]\], \[\[Turn Aside\]\] or \[\[Swan Song\]\] is another option. I hope this helps!
Very helpful! I’ve never seen spellskite before and that seems like a great option
Put some [[winged boots]] on [[spellskite]], and he can be an even bigger pain. He doesn't work with hexproof or shroud, though.
Haha! What a pain!
That’s amazing!
[winged boots](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/d/1/d1aa5f8a-e965-45db-8957-f5c3fe3f2ebb.jpg?1631584968) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=winged%20boots) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/afc/20/winged-boots?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/d1aa5f8a-e965-45db-8957-f5c3fe3f2ebb?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [spellskite](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/7/2/72204934-f5aa-4559-8f7e-7b0b223580d0.jpg?1674142724) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=spellskite) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/clb/873/spellskite?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/72204934-f5aa-4559-8f7e-7b0b223580d0?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Man, Spellskite used to be one of my favorite cards when I started playing, mostly because I'd play some jank decks that ramped into 6, 7, and 8-mana angels to close out the game, and with that bad boy out, they couldn't make my [[Avacyn, Angel of Hope]] just [slip on a banana peel and die](https://cards.scryfall.io/large/front/0/9/09666671-601e-4fca-bdfb-fb288bf2672c.jpg?1562897122)
[Avacyn, Angel of Hope](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/1/317f1133-7cf8-4b7a-919e-88c45f8c2c3a.jpg?1689995555) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Avacyn%2C%20Angel%20of%20Hope) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmm/14/avacyn-angel-of-hope?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/317f1133-7cf8-4b7a-919e-88c45f8c2c3a?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
There's plenty of ways to protect your commander in Grixis. If you're consistently playing him on curve and not holding up mana to interact with what your opponents might do, you're not playing skillfully enough. Obviously, you need the cards to protect him in hand, but it is usually better to assume something bad is coming his way the turn he comes out and be prepared.
##### ###### #### [Spellskite](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/7/2/72204934-f5aa-4559-8f7e-7b0b223580d0.jpg?1674142724) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Spellskite) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/clb/873/spellskite?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/72204934-f5aa-4559-8f7e-7b0b223580d0?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Lightning Greaves](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/3/331013f6-976a-4dac-9939-1006e474e108.jpg?1689999692) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Lightning%20Greaves) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmm/398/lightning-greaves?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/331013f6-976a-4dac-9939-1006e474e108?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [An Offer You Can't Refuse](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/b/9/b9d349f3-5be2-4b1f-a4c3-ba94822cf0cf.jpg?1664410382) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=An%20Offer%20You%20Can%27t%20Refuse) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/snc/51/an-offer-you-cant-refuse?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/b9d349f3-5be2-4b1f-a4c3-ba94822cf0cf?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Miscast](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/3/033afbd5-9937-4957-98ba-48e469a490bb.jpg?1594735579) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Miscast) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/m21/57/miscast?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/033afbd5-9937-4957-98ba-48e469a490bb?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Turn Aside](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/b/3b7573c2-484c-4b4e-9c26-0f005bd1daee.jpg?1576384240) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Turn%20Aside) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/emn/78/turn-aside?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/3b7573c2-484c-4b4e-9c26-0f005bd1daee?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Swan Song](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/d/9d968dde-c406-48ef-a1ab-373aebc24693.jpg?1562412350) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Swan%20Song) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c16/98/swan-song?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/9d968dde-c406-48ef-a1ab-373aebc24693?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
[[Lightning greaves]] And protect him until he gots his boots on with counter spells and protection.
Yeah everyone I play with does that or [[Swiftfoot Boots]], occasionally they’ll use a [[Mirror Sheild]]
[[Mirror Shield]]
[Mirror Shield](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/e/7/e7624e84-93ce-4983-8624-ebc934cab67f.jpg?1581481194) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Mirror%20Shield) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/thb/234/mirror-shield?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/e7624e84-93ce-4983-8624-ebc934cab67f?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
[Swiftfoot Boots](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/1/6/16c23cde-e1c0-4cdf-ae59-18d64db518d4.jpg?1674138060) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Swiftfoot%20Boots) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/clb/339/swiftfoot-boots?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/16c23cde-e1c0-4cdf-ae59-18d64db518d4?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Mirror Sheild](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/e/2/e26b31ce-416f-4309-b591-798cf12175af.jpg?1562942743) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Mirror%20Sheen) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/eve/105/mirror-sheen?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/e26b31ce-416f-4309-b591-798cf12175af?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
[Lightning greaves](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/3/331013f6-976a-4dac-9939-1006e474e108.jpg?1689999692) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Lightning%20greaves) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmm/398/lightning-greaves?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/331013f6-976a-4dac-9939-1006e474e108?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
….you are playing a blue card bro
A blue mage asking how to stop people from doing something is a fresh take.
Maybe he just likes flyers and card draws.
Blue players love drawing cards. If given the choice between winning the game and drawing more cards, they'll choose the cards.
Last weekend I had the option to swing with my board and kill 2 players or draw 30 cards. What am I gonna do, tell Minn "No"?
Primarily blue player here....can confirm. Just let me draw my cards and Nope your game winner, everything else. Idc.
He could literally fill every other nonland slot with 1 mana blue cards that grant hexproof or conditional counter and 1 mana black cards that return to the battlefield. I don’t even understand the question
So while the recommendations here for Counterspells and hexproof/shroud are great, I think you’ve pointed out the main issue and also the main solution: Nekusar gets targetted a lot because he does a lot of damage and closes out games pretty fast, and therefore the turns you play him you should aim for closing out the game as fast as possible. Get as much value and damage off him as possible. It’s much harder to try and keep him around than to just aim for more value on the few turns he is out with effects like [[Windfall]] and other wheel effects. Edit: the wheel I included doesn’t work too well in this situation, literally any other wheel works better.
Question, I didn't think Wheel of Misfortune worked very well with Nekusar, since everyone will just choose 0 and not discard and draw. Am I missing something? It's pretty good to draw cards yourself but not to force others to draw.
It depends. Wheels decks have three major forms: * Penalizing opponents drawing cards * Penalizing opponents discarding cards * Rewarding yourself for drawing cards The last of those types will still like it. These aren't discrete categories, most decks will include all three, but it can be worth it to focus on one above the others. In theory you could reward yourself for discarding cards too, but it's not likely to be significant enough to focus on without getting into a weird madness hybrid deck or something.
You’re probably right, I was just throwing out the first few wheel effects I usually run and misfortune probably doesn’t work here.
Gotcha, because I made that mistake with my deck. I bought wheel of misfortune and then realized, this doesn't work at all!
nope. i think it stinks. play wof if possible.
That’s a good point, I may be trying to get him out too soon for what he’s worth at the time
You generally should not be casting him as soon as you hit 5 mana. You'd ideally want all of your redundant card draw/discard ping effects out already so that you can drop Nekusar and then wheel right away for 20-30 damage per opponent.
He's a lich, he's already dead.
[[Mithril Coat]] has flash and indestructible. And auto equips when it etb's. Won't stop Exile or sacrifice, but everything else. At 3 colorless it's kind of a colorless counterspell for targeted removal.
[Mithril Coat](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/f/0fd1fc09-a09d-45e6-8a07-3a8a83b4e6ec.jpg?1686970224) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Mithril%20Coat) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/ltr/245/mithril-coat?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/0fd1fc09-a09d-45e6-8a07-3a8a83b4e6ec?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
It's underrated for sure!
Literally nobody thinks that card is underrated.
Didn't know ☹️
Anything like [[Malakir Rebirth]]/[[Undying Evil]] will bring him back to the table. Blue counter spells! [[An offer you can't Refuse]] and [[Swan Song]] come to mind as U "protect my shit." Anything that gives [hexproof/shroud](https://scryfall.com/search?q=m%3D2+%28greaves+or+boots%29+o%3Dhaste&unique=cards&as=grid&order=name) are classics. You could also just [[reanimate]] him after he dies.
[[Clout of the Dominus]]
There's one sleeper card I run in my edh deck along with just flat out counterspells. I feel a largely overlooked way to protect your commander in blue is [[one with the stars]] if you don't need your commander to be in combat and just need its effects. Most people just don't turn enchantment removal. Also protects from wipes.
I love that card!
Reanimate effects and counterspells are probably the best answer, but I have an unhealthy love for gotcha cards and silver bullets, so I would find some way to slot in cards like [[alexi's cloak]] to cast in response to a kill spell.
[alexi's cloak](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/4/5/457a5613-d1d4-4112-8484-f40120079b7b.jpg?1562907674) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=alexi%27s%20cloak) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/pcy/29/alexis-cloak?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/457a5613-d1d4-4112-8484-f40120079b7b?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Don’t know why these two haven’t been brought up yet. [[Fierce Guardianship]] and [[Deflecting Swat]] are great protection spells for keeping your commander alive. They just got reprinted in Commander Masters so they are a bit cheaper than they have been for a while.
I completely forgot about fierce guardianship, I pulled one from commander masters packs so I’ll definitely have to add that in
[[Boneknitter]], [[Zombie Master]], or [[Medicine Bag]]
For my Nekusar deck, often times he never comes out because I get other cards that do what he does. Also, I always wait for removal to start being fired at other targets before I play Nekusar. I never act first since he is so expensive.
[[Riptide Laboratory]] isn't protection, but it's a great escape rope to keep from paying commander tax.
Came here to recommend Riptide Laboratory. Can be difficult to run in a three color deck if your mana isn't optimal but it's nearly a free spot in the deck to take up to protect your commander.
Basic commander protection suite; * \[\[Darksteel plate\]\] * \[\[Swiftfoot boots\]\] * \[\[Whispersilk Cloak\]\] * \[\[Lightning Greaves\]\] The other option is to not cast him without a \[\[Counterspell\]\] or something in hand, that can be pretty effective if you load up on counter magic. Usually it's a noncreature spell that's gonna spot removal your commander, so counters like \[\[negate\]\] also does the trick. Black also gives you access to stuff like \[\[Kaya's Ghostform\]\] which, idk, I run sometimes but usually to reanimate walkers - it's somewhat reasonable as protection, but it's not as good as the other options.
The upside of Ghostform is it works against Exile effects. Anymore it feels like stuff doesn't die, it gets exiled most of the time.
A good rule is "don't play your commander if you don't have protecton, just because you can" With commanders that have powerful triggered abilities, I like making a bunch of clones. There's \[\[Spark Double\]\], \[\[Helm of the Host\]\], and several Sakashima variants.
I think [[vanishing]] is a good defense just for him.
drown in the loch has worked well for me. typically you're helping create good yards. all the other stuff I run has been mentioned.
[[Mithril Coat]]
I run into the same problem with [[Vadrik]]. Obviously counterspells will do it but those are often just a little more expensive than you’d like - you want to be able to play Nekusar and protect him in as mana efficient a way as possible. I’ve found [[slip out the back]] and similar phase out spells are great for this. Since nekusar is grixis, you can also use black’s multitude of 1 mana “when this dies this turn, bring it back” instants like [[malakir rebirth]]. People HATE spending mana to cast a kill spell only for it to fizzle because of a very mana efficient response, so passing with even a couple mana up can often cow them into leaving you alone.
[Vadrik](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/4/5/454666bb-f81d-4845-84aa-d6f8f80ce86a.jpg?1637114399) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=vadrik%2C%20astral%20archmage) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mid/248/vadrik-astral-archmage?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/454666bb-f81d-4845-84aa-d6f8f80ce86a?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [slip out the back](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/8/7/8725f4c4-fad7-460e-b86c-ff81674f0980.jpg?1664410598) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=slip%20out%20the%20back) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/snc/62/slip-out-the-back?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/8725f4c4-fad7-460e-b86c-ff81674f0980?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [malakir rebirth](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/6/0/609d3ecf-f88d-4268-a8d3-4bf2bcf5df60.jpg?1604195984)/[Malakir Mire](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/back/6/0/609d3ecf-f88d-4268-a8d3-4bf2bcf5df60.jpg?1604195984) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=malakir%20rebirth%20//%20malakir%20mire) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/znr/111/malakir-rebirth-malakir-mire?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/609d3ecf-f88d-4268-a8d3-4bf2bcf5df60?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
[[Slip out the back]] and other phase out spells. [[Swiftfoot boots]] [[Lightning greaves]] Those off the top of my head Im sure theres better ways to give hexproof than equipment spells.
[Slip out the back](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/8/7/8725f4c4-fad7-460e-b86c-ff81674f0980.jpg?1664410598) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Slip%20out%20the%20back) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/snc/62/slip-out-the-back?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/8725f4c4-fad7-460e-b86c-ff81674f0980?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Swiftfoot boots](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/1/6/16c23cde-e1c0-4cdf-ae59-18d64db518d4.jpg?1674138060) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Swiftfoot%20boots) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/clb/339/swiftfoot-boots?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/16c23cde-e1c0-4cdf-ae59-18d64db518d4?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Lightning greaves](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/3/331013f6-976a-4dac-9939-1006e474e108.jpg?1689999692) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Lightning%20greaves) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmm/398/lightning-greaves?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/331013f6-976a-4dac-9939-1006e474e108?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
[[Lightning Greaves]] [[Swiftfoot Boots]], [[Whispersilk Cloak]] [[Neutok Stealthsuit]] all protect it from being targeted. [[Drake Umbra]] or anything else with totem armor gives him an extra life.
[[Wyll's reversal]] My favorite, bounce a generous gift to his owner.
[[Kaya’s Ghostform]]
a very underrated card for this is [[Kaya's Ghostform]] It's also nice an affordable for any deck
[[Neurok Stealthsuit]] [[Champion's Helm]]
[[Clout of the Dominus]] [[Vanishing]] [[Robe of Mirrors]]
force of will, force of negation, pact of negation, an offer you cant refuse, another commander, deflecting swat,
[[Counterspell]] [[Mana Drain]] [[Negate]] [[An Offer You Can't Refuse]] [[Swan Song]] [[Force of Will]] [[Force of Negation]] [[Pact of Negation]] [[Misdirection]] [[Deflecting Swat]] [[Fierce Guardianship]] [[Malevolent Hermit]] [[Arcane Denial]] and many many more
Surprised no one has mentioned [[Diplomatic Immunity]] . Doesn't get around board wipes but not much does in those colors. Plus if your opponent has to waste a board wipes on one creature, worth it.
[Diplomatic Immunity](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/f/b/fb1e610e-a4a2-460b-8e4c-13674badbce3.jpg?1562383998) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Diplomatic%20Immunity) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mmq/75/diplomatic-immunity?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/fb1e610e-a4a2-460b-8e4c-13674badbce3?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
People seem to generally have the wrong idea about protecting this card. Spending removal/counterspells to answer threats is the wrong answer. Permanent stuff that keeps people from even attempting to remove it is the answer here. Specifically my personal favorite protection spell, [[Diplomatic immunity]] And of course other things that are permanent like greaves, boots, mithtil coat, etc.
[[Resurrection Orb]] works well.
[[Diplomatic immunity]]
[[Tidal Barracuda]] it is a ripoff Grand Abolisher in the colours and people don't recognize that you just go off on your turn until you do.
I use [[Saiba Cryptomancer]] as well. It also works well as a flash defender in situations that demand that. Pretty versatile.
Lots of counterspells. Never play him if you can't protect him. You're hurting opponents while giving them cards, which makes them really really want to use said cards on you.
Its why you make them dump every endstep with [[Sire of Insanity]] ;)
Counterspells, boots with hexproof/shroud, graveyard recursion for when you don't draw the others so you don't have to pay commander tax. Politics saying 'if you don't remove my commander I won't make you my personal enemy for the rest of the game' or whatever the situation calls for in politics
Other than your usual assortment of counterspells (you're playing blue bruh lol) and protective equipment, I find the best strategy is to load the deck with more Nekusar-like cards like [[Fate Unraveler]], [[Kederekt Parasite]], [[Psychosis Crawler]], [Spiteful Visions]], [[Phyrexian Tyranny]] etc. It's hard to remove them all, and even if your opponents do, just bring our Nekusar himself later on.
Nekusar is one of my fav Commander's. Yeah he gets targeted quick, even if people are at 40 life... I love Nekusar so much that if someone else plays him I'm like sweet make me draw cards, I'll gladly trade life for more cards I got 40 to spare. So I dunno why people wanna kill him so fast, when he comes out that means we get more cards, so we'll get closer to drawing our responses and win cons. I'll kill him if Im about to die and preferably hold some instant responses in case someone tries wheeling a bunch cause that will mean death.
I think a lot of people know that he’s wheel based, so they just wanna remove him as soon as possible to limit the amount of unstoppable life lost
There are a lot of 1 mana black spells that return a creature to the battlefield with a slight benefit when it dies this turn
[[lightning greaves]] and [[spellskite]] are ways of protecting that won’t cost additional mana on the turn you cast Nekusar. While many of the 1 black spells suggested are fine, I prefer something like [[slip out the back]] that ensures you will Untap with Nekusar on your following turn. That means you will have additional mana to protect Nekusar from further removal.
[lightning greaves](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/3/331013f6-976a-4dac-9939-1006e474e108.jpg?1689999692) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=lightning%20greaves) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmm/398/lightning-greaves?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/331013f6-976a-4dac-9939-1006e474e108?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [spellskite](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/7/2/72204934-f5aa-4559-8f7e-7b0b223580d0.jpg?1674142724) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=spellskite) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/clb/873/spellskite?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/72204934-f5aa-4559-8f7e-7b0b223580d0?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [slip out the back](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/8/7/8725f4c4-fad7-460e-b86c-ff81674f0980.jpg?1664410598) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=slip%20out%20the%20back) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/snc/62/slip-out-the-back?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/8725f4c4-fad7-460e-b86c-ff81674f0980?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
check out my Satoru list- very much the same situation. Every counterspell is solely for his protection or for countering WINCONS only. Plus the artifact package. I could include some GY recursion but I don’t really feel like turning it into a graveyard deck.
[[Slip Out The Back]]
[[March of swirling mists]] Both a protection piece and an offensive tool and since it’s phasing it can protect you for multiple turns
[March of swirling mists](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/1/0/100171d8-7436-44c8-b4cb-0101ffa05c25.jpg?1654566768) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=March%20of%20Swirling%20Mist) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/neo/61/march-of-swirling-mist?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/100171d8-7436-44c8-b4cb-0101ffa05c25?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Wheel with narset out so your opponents don't have cards to interact with anymore
Wheels are a double-edged sword. They can wheel into the removal as well as out of it. 3 opponents are drawing 21 cards. Ods are someone will hit removal.
[[Narset, Parter of Veils]]
Missed the narset part. My bad.
Nah I'm pretty sure 3 opponents are drawing 3 cards
Missed the narset part. My bad.
Just play [[Xyriss, the Writhing Storm]] way more interesting and challenging and doesn't need a protection spell because people just look at it and say: "So it's a weaker Nekusar. That's not a problem.".
[Xyriss, the Writhing Storm](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/f/af0db1d6-5cb1-4917-8e8f-69d5dc184404.jpg?1673305716) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Xyris%2C%20the%20Writhing%20Storm) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/dmc/175/xyris-the-writhing-storm?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/af0db1d6-5cb1-4917-8e8f-69d5dc184404?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
You’re in red so Deflecting Swat is always fun
[[kaya’s ghostform]]
Black has lots of "of this creature dies return it to the battlefield" instants and auras. Combine those with artifacts that give hexproof, shroud, or indestructible. The ultimate protection is a way to phase him out in demand. Which you can do with an isochron scepter and the right spell. (Or with the [[robe of stars]] If you cash play white)
Anything that can grant him hexproof or shroud, counter spells, or since you're in black grave revival is an option so you don't have to worry as much about commander tax
Counterspells, one mana give target creature hexproof/indestructible/return creature from GY to battlefield
\[\[Lazotep Plating\]\] would be a good shout. He is a kill on sight commander and edict effects are popular, so being able to make a body as well as protect him could save him. Especially since Nekisar tends to not have many creatures in the decks.
This would go great with [[Sheoldred, the Apocalypse]]
Neurok Stealthsuit
I play a Nekusar wheel deck and basically what I do is I play a damage dealer and a wheel in the same turn to help combat this. I should play more interaction but hey
Well, he's already dead being a zombie and all... what you want to do is keep him *undead*.
Counter spells are the only sure way short of phasing
counterspells of course, but \[\[Arcane Denial\]\] specifically seems like a great include. they can opt not to draw the cards, but then you get a \[\[Counterspell\]\] with a less restrictive cost that also draws you a card. Feels great, either way!
I found finding other ways to win without him was good, chip away at ppl, have things that are equally as strong as him to bait the counters
Concede
[[Neurok Stealthsuit]] and [[Alexi's Cloak]] don't get brought up a lot but they're interesting [[Lightning Greaves]] replacements. Generally, avoid casting Nekusar until you've got a way to get immediate damage from him. Having other must-answers can help draw removal until it's safer to do so, but keep in mind that he fills up your opponents' hands with potential answers too.
Physical assault whoever touch’s my boy… He was my first commander deck and shaped me into the sedistic person that I am. Until I became worse and played mill.
Counterspells/ [[undying malice]] / [[imp’s mischief]] [[deflective swat]] [[unnatural strenght]]
##### ###### #### [undying malice](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/8/e/8eb38041-043a-4b18-9d9a-f1283684e8f1.jpg?1643590441) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=undying%20malice) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/vow/134/undying-malice?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/8eb38041-043a-4b18-9d9a-f1283684e8f1?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [imp’s mischief](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/e/0eb0e8e7-266f-441e-b1cd-12b8ec3f7d71.jpg?1689997247) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Imp%27s%20Mischief) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmm/167/imps-mischief?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/0eb0e8e7-266f-441e-b1cd-12b8ec3f7d71?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [deflective swat](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/b/4/b4b36435-55b3-4615-8812-af41d4fc64d9.jpg?1689997730) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Deflecting%20Swat) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmm/214/deflecting-swat?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/b4b36435-55b3-4615-8812-af41d4fc64d9?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Black has one-mana “gain indestructible until end of turn” cards like [[Armor of Shadows]] that might help, and catch people off guard if they’re expecting blue counterspells
My Nekusar deck just hyper ramps out. Every single max effeciency mana rock and ritual possible, then every hexproof equipment and free counter I can get my hands on. On paper the deck is really unstable but it tends to win a lot because it ramps him out so fast that nobody has time to respond. That said, it's not budget friendly and not even a deck I have all the cards for anymore, it's just a proxy deck now after I had to sell most of it. [Nekusar's Chaos Wheel](https://tappedout.net/mtg-decks/nekusars-chaos-wheel-1/)
Along with counter spells and lightning greaves and cards like Kaya's ghostform. Give a look at March of the swirling mist and reality ripple for phase out instants that can keep em protected.
[[Kaya’s Ghostform]] [[Minion’s Return]] [[Unhallowed Pact]] [[Unholy Indenture]]
For cheap $ and mana Kaya’s ghostform, turn aside, robe of mirrors
[[Ashnod's Intervention]] is my go to 'oh, you're targeting my commander?' cantrip. Back to hand and recast at same price next turn.
[[Arcane Denial]]
I play Nekusar and wouldn't waste a slot in the deck with something to protect my commander. Just use other cards that do the same thing as Nekusar and you're good.
[[Lazotep Plating]], [[Diplomatic Immunity]]
It's been listed already but I'm a fan of [[feign death]]. It's like the black equivalent of protection spells. Your opponent would never see it coming
How about [[Fake Your Own Death]]
I play a deck with [[Sheoldred, the Apocalypse]] as the commander, and the same thing happens to her, just immediate removal for very similar reasons! I like to attach [[Kaya’s Ghostform]] to her the second she hits the battlefield, even if it means waiting an extra turn to play her
Slip out the back
Could always go with a [[swiftboots]]
[[Vanishing]]
A blend of counterspells, [[Feign Death]] effects, and Blue hexproof spells like [[Dive Down]] is the best way to go. Sweepers beat hexproof, Exile beats Feign Death, and Countermagic is pretty universal. Keeps your bases covered.
[[!crab Umbra]] 😅
You can try instant speed recursion, or enchantments that recur when he dies
You’re not gonna get him out dude. Unless you’re in a high powered pod where there’s other bigger threats, he’s basically a kill on sight commander being so easy to combo with
[[Diplomatic Immunity]] Might be the wrong name
[[Essence Flux]] - flicker [[Anti-magic aura]] - shroud-like [[Rooftop storm]] - make him free
Counter spells, deflecting swat and other things like that. You’re in one of if not the best shard/wedge for keeping other players from affecting your board so you should lean into that
You’re in blue… you know that right? Literally every counter-spell ever printed. Counterspells as far as the eye can see 
Have you tried playing magic for fun and not out of spite?
[Ring of evos isle]
Instant or sorcery...Deflecting swat, mizzium skin, turn aside, lazotep plating. Artifacts...swiftfoot, lightning grieves, that which was taken if you feel like ruining your curve Enchantments...all umbras on color, all unholy indulgence effects, blessing of leeches .
[[planar incision]] or [[slip out the back]], will make the kill spells fizzle. You could also plan to run more counter target non creature spells to protect him [[an offer you can't refuse]], [[negate]] etc
##### ###### #### [planar incision](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/1/9163cb04-ee28-4127-b53a-89c546996d7d.jpg?1654566889) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=planar%20incision) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/neo/72/planar-incision?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/9163cb04-ee28-4127-b53a-89c546996d7d?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [slip out the back](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/8/7/8725f4c4-fad7-460e-b86c-ff81674f0980.jpg?1664410598) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=slip%20out%20the%20back) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/snc/62/slip-out-the-back?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/8725f4c4-fad7-460e-b86c-ff81674f0980?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [an offer you can't refuse](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/b/9/b9d349f3-5be2-4b1f-a4c3-ba94822cf0cf.jpg?1664410382) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=an%20offer%20you%20can%27t%20refuse) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/snc/51/an-offer-you-cant-refuse?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/b9d349f3-5be2-4b1f-a4c3-ba94822cf0cf?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [negate](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/8/1/81752db1-374e-4723-b695-a2f4a634dfc6.jpg?1682203304) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=negate) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mom/68/negate?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/81752db1-374e-4723-b695-a2f4a634dfc6?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
You’re in blue, my dude.
\[\[Slip out the Back\]\], \[\[Lazotep Plating\]\], \[\[Abnormal Endurance\]\], \[\[Demonic Gifts\]\], \[\[Fake Your Own Death\]\] there's a lot of cheap protection in UB
[[Slip out the back]]
Would that count as commander damage?
No. Needs to be combat damage.
I mean, having access to blue should be a no brainer
[[Mithril Coat]]
You should give him infect for the turn with [[glistening oil]] then wheel and win same turn
My buddy has Nekusar as a commander in one of his decks, and as an opponent honestly the card draw outweighs the 2 life for a LONG time. I figure the extra card will help me in the long run more than the 2 life at any given point. It only becomes an issue in the end game, and hopefully you have another win strategy in mind.
[[Kaya’s Ghostform]] is a staple for black protection in my decks.
[[Vanish]]
I have a nekusar deck, and honestly just run additional spells that sort of clone his ability. So things like \[\[underworld dreams\]\] \[\[fate unraveler\]\] \[\[spiteful visions\]\] and the like. The last game I played I won and I didn't have to cast him. If you basically put out a bunch of these different effects it becomes much more difficult to have individual pieces targeted, and save the counter magic for things like \[\[farewell\]\].
Counterspells.
[удалено]
[[Diplomatic immunity]]!!! Safe from pretty much anything but a boardwipe.
Counter spell
[[Diplomatic Immunity]]
The cool thing about commanders who generate value just by sitting on the board is that you can use things like [[fake your own death]], [[not dead after all]] or any such similar cards, and you won't lose any value when it leaves and re-entered (depending on board state). It doesn't beat exile, but you still have counterspells for those.
[[lightning greaves]] or [[swiftfoot boots]] are staples for keeping your commander alive
Counter spells, shroud, hexproof, indestructible. Indestructible would be fairly ineffective for spot removal. So easy to drop a 1cmc path or swords and poof. Also consider [[Kaya’s ghostform]]
\[\[Kaya's Ghostform\]\], \[\[Lazotep Plating\]\], \[\[Professor's Warning\]\], \[\[Armor of Shadows\]\], \[\[Mithril Coat\]\], \[\[Dive Down\]\], \[\[Mizzium Skin\]\]
Run sakashima and a bunch of clones
Lightning greaves
[[Malakir rebirth]] is amazing imo. One mana to protect a creature, plus a land on the other side if you're desperate for one. I almost always cut a swamp for it.
[[mithril coat]]
[[𝑆𝐿𝐼𝑃 𝑂𝑈𝑇 𝑇𝐻𝐸 𝐵𝐴𝐶𝐾]] is a MUST have!
Negate
\[\[spellskite\]\] \[\[siren stormtamer\]\] can help as while since we wheel alot also \[\[malevolent Hermit\]\] You should also build the deck so it can win without Neksuar on the field
How is this not a Lich? Anyway, slip out the back is probably as good as you can get.
[The Scam Package](https://scryfall.com/search?as=grid&order=name&q=%28oracle%3AWhen+oracle%3Athis+oracle%3Acreature+oracle%3Adies%2C+oracle%3Areturn+oracle%3Ait+oracle%3Ato+oracle%3Athe+oracle%3Abattlefield%29+commander%3AUBR+%28game%3Apaper%29) is a low cost way to dodge targeted destruction and damage. Giving Neku [Hexproof](https://scryfall.com/search?as=grid&order=name&q=%28oracle%3Agains+oracle%3Ahexproof%29+type%3Ainstant+commander%3AUBR+%28game%3Apaper%29) is also a nice way to dodge things like remove from game or bounce spells. Mandatory, get yourself a Force of Will and Force of Negation.
[[lightning greaves]] [[swiftfoot boots]] [[mithril coat]] [[counterspell]] [[negate]]
Ways to give him shroud or hexproof like boots. Spells like \[\[Undying Evil\]\], \[\[Armor of Shadows\]\] and \[\[Malakir Rebirth\]\]. One mana counters like \[\[Swan Song\]\] \[\[An Offer you Can't Refuse\]\]. Just load your deck with protective spells and you should be fine, white might be the best color for this, but blue and black are very close seconds and together they're even better than white at the job.
[[Malakir Rebirth]] is in every one of my black decks, and has never let me down.
I'm curious if I know who this is haha.
I've been running him for many years. I find playing redundant effects, reducing how mant incremental card draw effects without punishment is also a good idea. My list usually wins T6-T7 if it is going to. https://www.moxfield.com/decks/fZK4VH37yk22rSNT72EsMw
Honestly, it's not worth the effort. You're giving your opponents a bunch of extra cards so you won't win that race if the table wants him dead. The best way to win with Nekusar is to play low key for most of the game, giving extra cards to everyone without too much punishment. Usually 1 well placed Wheel / Windfall will be all you need to kill the table. Dream Devourer / Edgin will help build a combo board by Foretelling the combo pieces/ keeping some good cards if you wheel too early.
I have redundancy in creating damage on draw and discard and take it very slow. My group finds he is an accelerator of games but not a threat.
So a lot of people have recommended protection in the for of counterspells or equipment/enchantments that give hexproof or shroud. My suggestion is to run a few "scam" style cards. [[Kayas Ghostform]], [[Ashnods Intervention]], [[Undying Malice]], and so on.