{"ops":[{"insert":"Niko Niko little shards,\nFalling soft like starry cards.\nGlass and glitter, quiet light,\nGuiding travelers through the night.\nSleep and rest your heavy head,\nFate has loosed its iron thread.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Shards of blue and shards of white,"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Glimmering in the velvet night."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Close your eyes, the world is new,"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Every broken mirror true."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Niko Niko, shine so deep,"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Watch above you while you sleep."},{"insert":"\n\nThalassa’s waves are calm and still,\nResting now beneath the hill.\nSpears of glass are put away,\nWaiting for another day.\nEvery shadow fades to rest,\nLike a bird within its nest.\n\nThe "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"threads of fate"},{"insert":" are soft and spun,\nBeneath the moon, beneath the sun.\nThe silver grid is fading slow,\nWhere the gentle dreamers go.\nA quiet spark, a drift of grace,\nFloating through the starry space.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Shards of blue and shards of white,"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Glimmering in the velvet night."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Close your eyes, the world is new,"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Every broken mirror true."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Niko Niko, shine so deep,"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Watch above you while you sleep."},{"insert":"\n\nShine so deep...\nDrift to sleep...\nLittle shards...\nOf the stars.\n\nWelcome, this deck flickers "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Niko, Light of Hope"}},{"insert":" to create "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Shard"}},{"insert":" then copies creatures for interaction.\n\nNiko, Light of Hope strategy guide\n1. Early game setup\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Ramp & draw"},{"insert":": Focus on building your mana base and drawing cards."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Engine pieces"},{"insert":": If you draw "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Naban, Dean of Iteration"}},{"insert":" or "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Soulherder"}},{"insert":" , play them immediately to establish early value."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n2. Deploying the commander\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Timing"},{"insert":": Cast "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Niko"},{"insert":" during turn 3 or 4."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Virtue of Knowledge"},{"insert":": If drawn, playing this enchantment before your commander yields 2 extra "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Shard"},{"insert":" tokens. Alternatively, save its Adventure side, "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Vantress Visions"},{"insert":", for 6 mana to copy Niko's trigger later."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Same-CMC cards"},{"insert":": If you draw "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Teleportation Circle"}},{"insert":" , you can play it right before or after Niko since they share the same mana cost."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n3. The flicker loop\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Token generation"},{"insert":": Use your instant-speed flicker spells like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Ephemerate"}},{"insert":" & "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Soulherder"}},{"insert":" to repeatedly reset Niko and rack up Shard tokens."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Flicker timing"},{"insert":": Save your blink spells to reactively protect Niko from opponent removal, or cast them right before your own turn begins."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Combat utility"},{"insert":": Flickering gives Niko summoning sickness (cannot tap immediately), but it also untaps them to create instant-speed defensive blockers like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Empyrean Eagle"}},{"insert":"."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n4. Finishing the game\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Clone wincons"},{"insert":": Turn your massive pile of Shard tokens into copies of your most powerful creatures."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Evasion & lethal"},{"insert":": Close out the match using finishers like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Skyhunter Strike Force"}},{"insert":" & "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Ultramarines Honour Guard"}},{"insert":" to overwhelm the board."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n------------------------------------\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"#0066cc","bold":true},"insert":"Tips"},{"insert":"\nStrategic gameplay\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"APNAP Rule"},{"insert":": Master the active player, non-active player ("},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"APNAP"},{"insert":") stack order since Niko operates at instant speed."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Removal Priority"},{"insert":": Run plenty of "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"removal"},{"insert":" or stack interaction"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Propaganda"}},{"insert":" to drag opponents down to this deck's slower, controlling pace."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Mana Discipline"},{"insert":": Always leave "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"mana open"},{"insert":" for interaction and defensive responses i.e. blinking Niko as a response. Consider flickering "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Cloud of Faeries"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Peregrine Drake"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Threat Protection"},{"insert":": Protect your "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"haymakers"},{"insert":" because opponents will panic when your Shard count grows."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nNiko's abilities & mechanics\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Summoning Sickness"},{"insert":": Blinking Niko on your turn prevents you from tapping him to activate abilities. "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Nonlegendary Limit"},{"insert":": Niko only blinks "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"nonlegendary"},{"insert":" creatures; focus on high-value utility targets. "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Silent Hallcreeper"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Board Wipe Immunity"},{"insert":": Shards are "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"enchantments"},{"insert":", not creatures. They survive standard creature board wipes."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Surprise Blockers"},{"insert":": Tap Niko during an opponent's turn to transform Shards into instant "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"surprise blockers"},{"insert":"."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Shard"}},{"insert":" will keep counters +1/+1, stun, fly, double strike, etc."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nDoes Flickering Creatures into Exile Cause Summoning Sickness?\nYes, it does. The continuous control of that creature is broken once it leaves the battlefield. Since it’s considered a new permanent, it has to deal with summoning sickness all over again.\n\nThat means blink/flicker does all of this:\nretriggers ETB abilities"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"removes +1/+1 counters and other counters"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"removes damage marked on the creature"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"drops Auras that were attached to it"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"makes Equipment fall off"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"clears most \"until end of turn\" effects"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"untaps it, because it returns fresh"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nKey card synergies\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Untap Lands"},{"insert":": Blink specific utility creatures to "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"untap lands"},{"insert":" and maximize mana efficiency. "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Cloud of Faeries"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Peregrine Drake"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Mass Card Draw"},{"insert":": Leverage engine cards that produce a "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"ridiculous"},{"insert":" amount of card draw from Shard interactions. "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Curiosity Crafter"}},{"insert":" "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Dream Trawler"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"The Skybind Loop"},{"insert":": Pair Niko with "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Skybind"}},{"insert":" to blink him every end step. This creates two Shards, triggering Skybind twice more (flicking Niko and a opponent owned target) to lock down the board indefinitely."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Spot Removal Counter"},{"insert":": Use cards that return targeted creatures to your "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"hand"},{"insert":" to reuse their powerful enters-the-battlefield ("},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"ETB"},{"insert":") effects. "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Cloud Cover"}},{"insert":" "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Monk Gyatso"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Mass Blink Spells"},{"insert":": Use multi-target blink cards to trigger your ETBs, eliminate enemy tokens, and "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"remove blockers"},{"insert":" to leave opponents defenseless. "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Morningtide's Light"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Niko shard copy "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Dream Trawler"}},{"insert":" :"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Niko's Execution"},{"insert":": You activate Niko before combat, exiling your original Dream Trawler. All of your Shard tokens become exact copies of Dream Trawler. "},{"attributes":{"indent":1,"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"The Attack Phase"},{"insert":": You declare all your Shard-Trawlers as attackers. "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Every single copy"},{"insert":" triggers its attack ability simultaneously."},{"attributes":{"indent":1,"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"If you control "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"N Shard tokens"},{"insert":" (which all become Dream Trawlers) and declare all N of them as attackers, the sequence works like this:"},{"attributes":{"indent":1,"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Card Draw Triggers"},{"insert":": N individual \"draw a card\" triggers go on the stack."},{"attributes":{"indent":2,"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Resolving Draws"},{"insert":": You draw N cards in total."},{"attributes":{"indent":2,"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"The Pump Effect"},{"insert":": Because you drew N cards, "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"every single"},{"insert":" Dream Trawler gets +1/+0 for "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"each"},{"insert":" card drawn. This means every Trawler gets a massive "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"+N/+0"},{"insert":" power buff."},{"attributes":{"indent":2,"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Final Power per Trawler"},{"insert":": The base power of Dream Trawler is 3. With the buff, each attacking Trawler has a power of "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"3 + N"},{"insert":". "},{"attributes":{"indent":2,"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"The formula for the "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Total Flying, Lifelink Damage"},{"insert":" dealt is:"},{"attributes":{"indent":2,"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Total Damage =N* (3+N)"},{"attributes":{"indent":3,"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"3 Shards"},{"insert":": 3 × (3 + 3) = "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"18 Damage"},{"insert":" (Draw 3 cards, gain 18 life)"},{"attributes":{"indent":4,"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"5 Shards"},{"insert":": 5 × (3 + 5) = "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"40 Damage"},{"insert":" (Draw 5 cards, gain 40 life — "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Lethal to one full-health player"},{"insert":")"},{"attributes":{"indent":4,"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"7 Shards"},{"insert":": 7 × (3 + 7) = "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"70 Damage"},{"insert":" (Draw 7 cards, gain 70 life)"},{"attributes":{"indent":4,"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"10 Shards"},{"insert":": 10 × (3 + 10) = "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"130 Damage"},{"insert":" (Draw 10 cards, gain 130 life — "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"Easily wipes the entire pod"},{"insert":")"},{"attributes":{"indent":4,"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nAny Evoke / Warp costs and flicker:\nCast "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":{"card-link":"Nulldrifter"}},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":" for Evoke"},{"insert":" ("},{"insert":{"card-link":"Exalted Sunborn"}},{"insert":" for Warp)"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":":"},{"insert":" Pay the reduced cost. This puts both the \"draw two cards\" ability (When you cast) and the \"sacrifice this creature\" ability (Evoke) onto the stack. \n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Hold Priority:"},{"insert":" With the sacrifice trigger on the stack, activate Niko's ability. Pay 2, tap her, and target the Nulldrifter.\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Exile & Copy:"},{"insert":" Niko's ability exiles Nulldrifter and causes all of your Shard tokens to become copies of it until your next end step. \n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Resolve the Evoke Trigger:"},{"insert":" Since the original Nulldrifter is no longer on the battlefield, the \"sacrifice\" trigger fizzles, successfully saving your Evoked creature from the graveyard\n\nDeck upgrades:\nDouble ETB triggers from "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Panharmonicon"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Lock their board by blinking "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Lavinia of the Tenth"}},{"insert":" , "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Sludge Monster"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Fear of Sleep Paralysis"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Remove threats blink "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Agent of Treachery"}},{"insert":" or Niko copy "},{"attributes":{"color":"#0066cc","bold":true},"insert":{"card-link":"Soltari Visionary"}},{"attributes":{"color":"#0066cc","bold":true},"insert":" "},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Thalakos Deceiver"}},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Nonlegendary creatures that have counterspells on ETB, like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Draining Whelk"}},{"insert":" , "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Fear of Impostors"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Sister of Silence"}},{"insert":" you can reuse their ETBs once deployed. "},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Blink cards like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Glen Elendra Archmage"}},{"insert":" to remove their downsides and keep reusing them."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"Legendary creatures like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Venser, Shaper Savant"}},{"insert":" can't be blinked with Niko."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Drogskol Reaver"}},{"insert":" high CMC cost, but it is a safe net Niko copy it to gain life and draw cards."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Elvish Mariner"}},{"insert":" Pay 2 and tap Niko to exile your "},{"attributes":{"link":"https://scryfall.com/card/ltr/283/elvish-mariner"},"insert":"Elvish Mariner"},{"insert":". Shard become copies of Elvish Mariner."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Declare Attackers"},{"insert":": Swing with your newly transformed Elvish Mariner Shard tokens (assuming they do not have summoning sickness). "},{"attributes":{"indent":1,"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Attack Trigger"},{"insert":": Every single attacking Mariner token triggers individually: "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"\"Whenever this creature attacks, scry 1.\""},{"attributes":{"indent":2,"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Scry Trigger"},{"insert":": Each individual Mariner token also reads: "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"\"Whenever you scry, tap up to X target nonland permanents...\""},{"insert":" "},{"attributes":{"indent":2,"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"1 Shard Copy"},{"insert":": Attacks → Scries 1 → Taps "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"1"},{"insert":" permanent."},{"attributes":{"indent":3,"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":" scry 1 look at the top card of your library, either put it on the bottom to look at the next card or keep it at the top for the rest of the scry instances."},{"attributes":{"indent":4,"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"2 Shard Copies"},{"insert":": Both attack → Two separate \"Scry 1\" events occur. For "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"each"},{"insert":" of those two scry events, "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"both"},{"insert":" Mariners trigger. Total: "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"4"},{"insert":" permanents tapped."},{"attributes":{"indent":3,"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"3 Shard Copies"},{"insert":": Three separate \"Scry 1\" events. All three Mariners trigger for each event. Total: "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"9"},{"insert":" permanents tapped."},{"attributes":{"indent":3,"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Formula"},{"insert":": You will tap up to "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"N²"},{"insert":" nonland permanents, where N is the number of attacking Elvish Mariner Shard "},{"attributes":{"indent":3,"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nThe "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"APNAP"},{"insert":" rule (Active Player, Non-Active Player) is a core rule in Magic: The Gathering that decides how players make choices or how abilities enter the stack when multiple things happen at the same time. \nThe "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Active Player"},{"insert":" is the player whose turn it currently is. The "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Non-Active Player"},{"insert":" is the opponent (or opponents in multiplayer). \nHow it works for choices\nWhen a card or game state requires multiple players to make a decision simultaneously, decisions are made in "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"turn order"},{"insert":" starting with the active player. \nBecause the active player must commit to their choice first, the non-active player gains a strategic advantage. They can see exactly what the active player chooses before making their own decision.\nHow it works for the stack\nWhen multiple triggered abilities try to go onto the stack at the exact same moment (such as during a board wipe where everyone's creatures die), APNAP determines the order they are placed. \n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Active Player triggers"},{"insert":": The active player puts all of their triggers onto the stack first in any order they choose."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Non-Active Player triggers"},{"insert":": The non-active player then puts all of their triggers on top of the active player's triggers."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Resolution"},{"insert":": Because the stack resolves from the top down (\"last in, first out\"), the "},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"non-active player's abilities will resolve first"},{"insert":". "},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"}]}