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Network Graphs in MTG: Tracing the Relationships of Nausea

In the vast, interconnected web of Magic: The Gathering, a single card can act as a hub that pulls in neighbors from across the color pie, across formats, and across token armies. Nausea, a modest {1}{B} black sorcery from Eternal Masters, is a perfect example. Its effect—“All creatures get -1/-1 until end of turn”—is a compact disruptor that ripples outward, altering combat math for both players and reshaping the edges of the mana-cost graph. 🧙‍♂️ This is the kind of card that invites you to map relationships: which creatures survive the swing, which blockers crumble, and which tokens suddenly become liabilities rather than liabilities becoming liabilities. 🔮

From a rules perspective, Nausea is straightforward: with a single activation, every creature on the battlefield takes a temporary hit to both power and toughness. It doesn’t discriminate by color, creature type, or battlefield position; it’s a true global effect that creates a dramatic, momentary shift in leverage. That universality is precisely what makes it compelling for network analysis. When you place Nausea in a graph of card relationships, edges multiply quickly: each creature on the table becomes a potential node whose value shifts as the -1/-1 wave rolls through. 💎

Edges, nodes, and the story a card tells

Think of a network graph where nodes are cards and edges are interactions — direct or indirect. Nausea directly connects to every creature present, so its edge density spikes in creature-heavy boards. It also interacts with the timing of combat—you can cast it to swing a turn where your opponent has declared attackers, turning the tide-ishly in a single moment. In Modern and Legacy, where a wider, more explosive stable of creatures circulates, that edge is especially potent. The card’s oracle text sits neatly in a loop: low-cost disruption, high impact spread, temporary duration. 🧪

In practical terms, this means Nausea’s graph isn’t just about “the creatures on the battlefield.” It also touches with edges to spells that care about board state (pump, deathtouchers, or reanimated threats) and to the strategic tempo of a game. Tokens, often apt to flip from 1/1s into 2/2s or 3/3s with a steady supply, are especially vulnerable to a universal -1/-1. That makes Nausea a thoughtful inclusion in black decks that prize control, tempo, or surprise swings. The net effect is a web of possible outcomes: who benefits, who withers, and how parity shifts from one swing to the next. ⚔️

“Was it something I said?”

That flavor line from Nausea’s flavor text adds a playful pulse to the graph. It reminds us that behind every number crunch and edge weight, there’s a narrative: a moment where the battlefield gurgles with tension, where an opponent’s wide board suddenly looks less menacing, and where your side tactically deploys a mass effect rather than a single-target answer. The flavor meshes with the math, giving MTG’s network graphs a personality—black humor in the middle of a loud clash. 🎲

Nausea’s place in Eternal Masters also anchors it within a particular design philosophy. EMA reprints celebrated timeless cards with modern playability, and Nausea—common and versatile—fits that bill. It’s a reminder that even a common, affordable spell can seed rich graph narratives in casual and competitive games alike. The set EMA (Eternal Masters) is a nod to the fraternity of masters of craft who appreciate both nostalgia and practical potency. For collectors, the common rarity doesn’t diminish its role in conversation about networked relationships among cards; it enhances accessibility, inviting more players to explore and map these relationships at the kitchen table or in online strategy discussions. 🔥

From a gameplay perspective, Nausea is a tool for tempo and disruption. In formats where mass creature presence is common—think wide boards and token armies—the ability to blunt multiple threats with a single, well-timed spell is invaluable. Its mana cost is approachable, and its effect is situationally devastating in a way that feels fair in the hands of a savvy player. The edges of the graph glow brightest when you pair Nausea with follow-up plays or with cards that can stall or reconfigure the board after the initial swing. The result is a dynamic, evolving map of relationships that can shift with every draw, every attack, and every block. 🧙‍♂️⚡

Looking at the broader MTG ecosystem, Nausea’s price point in the modern market is reflective of its role as a reliable but situational tool. With market values around a few dimes in non-foil form and a touch more for foil, it remains an accessible piece for budget builds and a reminder that powerful graphs don’t always require flashy rares. For players who love to study card interactions, Nausea offers a clear case study in how a simple mechanic can ripple across an entire battlefield, creating connections that are both tactical and narrative. 💎

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