Nissa, Ascended Animist — ruling 1

The token created by Nissa's first ability has its power and toughness set only once, at the time the ability resolves. It doesn't change later as loyalty counters are added to or removed from Nissa.

Nissa, Ascended Animist — ruling 2

If Nissa is no longer on the battlefield at the time her first ability resolves, use the number of loyalty counters she had when she last existed on the battlefield to determine the value of X.

Nissa, Ascended Animist — ruling 3

The power and toughness bonus granted to creatures by Nissa's last ability is determined only once, as that ability resolves. It won't increase or decrease if the number of Forests you control later changes. Similarly, it applies only to creatures you control at the time it resolves. Creatures that come under your control after it resolves will not have the bonus.

Nissa, Ascended Animist — ruling 4

A Phyrexian mana symbol contributes 1 toward the mana value of a card, even if life is paid for it. Specifically, Nissa's mana value is always 7.

Nissa, Ascended Animist — ruling 5

The compleated ability looks only at whether a player chose to pay 2 life for a Phyrexian mana symbol as they were casting the spell. If a player paid life for some other reason while casting the spell, that will not reduce the number of loyalty counters the planeswalker enters the battlefield with.

Nissa, Ascended Animist — ruling 6

Other replacement effects that would change the number of loyalty counters Nissa enters with will apply as normal.

Nissa, Ascended Animist : règles, fonctionnement et interactions (MTG)

Nissa, Ascended Animist 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

Compleated ( can be paid with or 2 life. For each paid with life, this planeswalker enters with two fewer loyalty counters.) +1: Create an X/X green Phyrexian Horror creature token, where X is Nissa's loyalty. −1: Destroy target artifact or enchantment. −7: Until end of turn, creatures you control get +1/+1 for each Forest you control and gain trample.

Complete guide

Nissa, Ascended Animist is a powerful force of nature, reflecting the terrifying growth of the Phyrexian swarm. As a flexible planeswalker with the Compleated keyword, she can arrive early at a cost or late to deliver a crushing blow with her massive loyalty abilities.

Understanding Compleated and Mana Value

Nissa features two Phyrexian mana symbols in her cost. You can pay {G} or 2 life for each. Her total mana value is always 7, regardless of how you pay. However, for every symbol you pay with life, she enters the battlefield with two fewer loyalty counters. This means she can enter with 7, 5, or 3 loyalty depending on your choice.

Scaling Power and Resolving Abilities

When you use Nissa's +1 ability, it checks her current loyalty at the moment the ability resolves to determine the X/X stats of the Phyrexian Horror token. Similarly, her -7 ultimate checks how many Forests you control only at the moment it resolves. These values are 'locked in'; the token doesn't grow if Nissa gains loyalty later, and your creatures don't get weaker if you lose a Forest after the ultimate has finished resolving.

Common Pitfalls

A common mistake is thinking the ultimate affects creatures played later in the turn. Because the -7 ability modifies the characteristics of creatures, it only applies to the creatures you control on the battlefield at the exact time the ability resolves. Also, remember that if Nissa is destroyed in response to her +1 ability, the game uses the number of loyalty counters she had when she was last on the battlefield to determine the token's size.

When to Play Nissa

Nissa is a versatile finisher. Cast her for full mana (7 loyalty) to immediately use her -7 ultimate if you have a wide board and enough Forests to end the game. Alternatively, cast her early by paying life to start generating blockers or to destroy a problematic artifact or enchantment with her -1 ability.

Interaction examples

Determining Token Size

Nissa, Ascended Animist

Phyrexian Horror

You cast Nissa, Ascended Animist by paying 5 mana and 4 life. She enters with 3 loyalty. You activate her +1 ability. When it resolves, Nissa has 4 loyalty. The ability checks this value and creates a 4/4 green Phyrexian Horror creature token. If Nissa is later dealt damage and drops to 1 loyalty, the token remains a 4/4.

The Forest-Powered Finisher

Nissa, Ascended Animist

You control six Forests and three creatures. You activate Nissa's -7 ability. As it resolves, the game counts six Forests. Your three creatures each get +6/+6 and trample until the end of the turn. If you play a fourth creature later that turn, it does not receive the bonus.

Interacting with Other Planeswalkers

Nissa, Ascended Animist

Ugin, the Spirit Dragon

Your opponent controls Ugin, the Spirit Dragon and uses his -X ability where X is 7. Even if you paid life to cast Nissa, Ascended Animist and she only has 3 loyalty, her mana value is still 7. Because she is a green permanent with mana value 7, she will be exiled by Ugin's ability.

Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.

How it works : Nissa, Ascended Animist

Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall

#1February 4, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
The token created by Nissa's first ability has its power and toughness set only once, at the time the ability resolves. It doesn't change later as loyalty counters are added to or removed from Nissa.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#2February 4, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
If Nissa is no longer on the battlefield at the time her first ability resolves, use the number of loyalty counters she had when she last existed on the battlefield to determine the value of X.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#3February 4, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
The power and toughness bonus granted to creatures by Nissa's last ability is determined only once, as that ability resolves. It won't increase or decrease if the number of Forests you control later changes. Similarly, it applies only to creatures you control at the time it resolves. Creatures that come under your control after it resolves will not have the bonus.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#4February 4, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
A Phyrexian mana symbol contributes 1 toward the mana value of a card, even if life is paid for it. Specifically, Nissa's mana value is always 7.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#5February 4, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
The compleated ability looks only at whether a player chose to pay 2 life for a Phyrexian mana symbol as they were casting the spell. If a player paid life for some other reason while casting the spell, that will not reduce the number of loyalty counters the planeswalker enters the battlefield with.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#6February 4, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
Other replacement effects that would change the number of loyalty counters Nissa enters with will apply as normal.
No other card is named in this ruling.