Niko Aris
Legendary Planeswalker — Niko
When Niko Aris enters, create X Shard tokens. (They're enchantments with "
, Sacrifice this token: Scry 1, then draw a card.")
+1: Up to one target creature you control can't be blocked this turn. Whenever that creature deals damage this turn, return it to its owner's hand.
−1: Niko Aris deals 2 damage to target tapped creature for each card you've drawn this turn.
−1: Create a Shard token.
- CMC
- 3
- Mana cost
- Color identity
- UW
- Rarity
- mythic
- Set
- Kaldheim Promos
- Price
- $1.00
- EDHREC rank
- #12833
Niko Aris enters with X Shard tokens and immediately draws X cards — the floor is one token and one card for three mana, the ceiling scales as high as you're willing to pay. The cost is that loyalty starts at zero, so Niko Aris is a one-shot value piece unless you have a dedicated proliferate or loyalty-counter shell to keep it alive for Niko, Light of Hope's activated abilities.
Best Commanders
Commanders with the highest synergy
Niko, Light of Hope
Niko, Light of Hope runs Niko Aris in over half of its decks because Niko Aris is a direct engine for the commander's gameplan — flooding the board with Shards on entry fuels Niko, Light of Hope's ability to cash them in for life, cards, or pump, making the planeswalker less a curve-topper and more a refueling station.
Format Analysis
Where it lives, where it can’t
| Format | Verdict |
|---|---|
| commander | legal |
| legacy | legal |
| modern | legal |
| pioneer | legal |
| standard | not legal |
| vintage | legal |
| pauper | not legal |
| oathbreaker | legal |
In Commander, Niko Aris is a role-player rather than a headliner — the token-plus-draw entry is legitimate value at any table, but zero starting loyalty means it rarely survives to activate again without dedicated support. In Oathbreaker, Niko Aris is legal as the planeswalker commander, where the Shard-token theme can be built around directly. In competitive non-rotating formats like Modern and Legacy, Niko Aris sits well below the power threshold — three mana for a planeswalker that requires X investment to generate meaningful impact is too slow when the format demands immediate board presence. Pioneer sees it occasionally in fringe brews but not as a staple.
Key Combos
Combo lines featuring this card
Price Context
Current price
$1.00 cheap tier
At $1.00, Niko Aris sits comfortably in budget territory and is unlikely to spike — the card sees modest Commander play but no meaningful competitive demand to drive price upward. It's a safe pickup if the Shard synergy fits your build, with no financial risk attached.
Explore
Sources
Mentioned
- Niko, Light of Hope
Updated . Data from Scryfall, EDHREC, and Commander Spellbook.