---
name: "Mer-Ek Nightblade"
mana_cost: "{3}{B}"
cmc: 4
type_line: "Creature — Orc Assassin"
colors: ["B"]
color_identity: ["B"]
keywords: ["Outlast"]
set: "IMA"
set_name: "Iconic Masters"
collector_number: "97"
rarity: "uncommon"
artist: "Lucas Graciano"
oracle_id: "56a8554c-d427-44ca-a01d-9e12c89acd1e"
canonical_url: "https://avascry.com/printing/mer-ek-nightblade-ima"
legalities:
  commander: "legal"
  standard: "not_legal"
  modern: "legal"
  pioneer: "legal"
  legacy: "legal"
  vintage: "legal"
  pauper: "not_legal"
  penny: "legal"
---

# Mer-Ek Nightblade
- **Mana Cost:** `{3}{B}` (CMC: 4)
- **Type:** Creature — Orc Assassin
- **Power/Toughness:** 2/3
- **Keywords:** Outlast

## Oracle Text
Outlast {B} ({B}, {T}: Put a +1/+1 counter on this creature. Outlast only as a sorcery.)
Each creature you control with a +1/+1 counter on it has deathtouch.

## Top 4096-Dim Neural Synergies
1. [Cackling Slasher](/printing/cackling-slasher-dsk.md) — Creature — Human Assassin
2. [Disowned Ancestor](/printing/disowned-ancestor-plst.md) — Creature — Spirit Warrior
3. [Poison-Blade Mentor](/printing/poison-blade-mentor-acr.md) — Creature — Human Assassin
4. [Serpent-Blade Assailant](/printing/serpent-blade-assailant-mom.md) — Creature — Elf Warrior
5. [Nirkana Assassin](/printing/nirkana-assassin-bfz.md) — Creature — Vampire Assassin Ally
6. [Mardu Hateblade](/printing/mardu-hateblade-ktk.md) — Creature — Human Warrior

## Printing Details
- **Set:** Iconic Masters (IMA) #97
- **Rarity:** Uncommon
- **Artist:** Lucas Graciano
- **Total Printings:** 14 across all historical editions

## Format Legalities
Commander: `legal` | Standard: `not_legal` | Modern: `legal` | Pioneer: `legal` | Legacy: `legal` | Vintage: `legal` | Pauper: `not_legal` | Penny: `legal`