Nemata, Primeval Warden is one of those cards players keep asking about. Here is, in plain words, what its official text says, the rulings published by Wizards of the Coast, and the combos players actually run.
Official card text
Reach If a creature an opponent controls would die, exile it instead. When you do, create a 1/1 green Saproling creature token., Sacrifice a Saproling: Nemata gets +2/+2 until end of turn.
, Sacrifice two Saprolings: Draw a card.
Complete guide
Nemata, Primeval Warden is a powerhouse for Golgari players, acting as both a graveyard hoser and a token generator. This legendary Treefolk not only blocks fliers with Reach but also punishes your opponents for losing their creatures by turning their losses into your Saproling army.
Rest in Pieces
Nemata's primary ability is a replacement effect. Instead of an opponent's creature entering the graveyard (dying), it is sent directly to exile. Because the creature never actually hits the graveyard, it never 'dies' for the purpose of triggered abilities that check for death. Whenever this replacement effect successfully exiles a creature, it triggers a second ability that grants you a 1/1 green Saproling token.
Fueling the Warden
Once you have your Saproling tokens, Nemata, Primeval Warden provides two powerful activated abilities to utilize them. For a single Green mana and one Saproling, Nemata grows by +2/+2, making it a formidable combatant. If you need card advantage, you can pay one generic and one Black mana to sacrifice two Saprolings and draw a card. These abilities can be activated at instant speed, providing great flexibility.
Timing and Conflicts
If multiple effects attempt to exile a creature instead of letting it die, the controller of the creature chooses which replacement effect to apply. If an opponent chooses an effect other than Nemata's, you will not receive a Saproling token, even if the creature still ends up in exile. Remember that Nemata must be on the battlefield at the moment the creature would die for its replacement effect to apply.
Interaction examples
Nemata, Primeval Warden
Solemn SimulacrumIf your opponent controls a Solemn Simulacrum and it is destroyed while you control Nemata, Primeval Warden, the Golem is exiled instead of being put into the graveyard. Because it never 'dies,' your opponent does not get to draw a card, but you do create a 1/1 Saproling token.
Eternal WitnessWhen an opponent's Eternal Witness would be destroyed, Nemata exiles it. This prevents the opponent from using other spells to bring that Eternal Witness back to their hand later, as it is stuck in the exile zone rather than the graveyard. You also receive a Saproling for your trouble.
SaprolingDuring your turn, you can attack with Nemata, Primeval Warden. If your opponent tries to block with a creature, that creature will be exiled upon death, giving you a Saproling. You can then immediately sacrifice that new Saproling to Nemata's first activated ability to give it +2/+2, potentially surviving the combat or dealing more damage.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Nemata, Primeval Warden
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
If a creature an opponent controls would die, and both Nemata and another effect are trying to exile it instead, that opponent chooses which effect to apply. If Nemata's effect ends up not applying because of this choice, the triggered ability that creates a Saproling token won't trigger, even if the creature card ends up in exile.
Card named in this ruling
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Meta decks with Nemata, Primeval Warden
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