Who is Nicol Bolas’s Enemy?

Nicol Bolas, the ancient and incredibly powerful Elder Dragon Planeswalker, has amassed a vast number of enemies throughout his long existence. However, pinning down a single, definitive “arch-nemesis” is more complex than it might initially appear. Rather than a single individual, Nicol Bolas’s true enemy is best described as a combination of forces: the collective resistance against his tyranny, the limitations of his own hubris, and, most notably, the very concept of being ultimately thwarted. While specific individuals have certainly dealt him blows, the most persistent opposition to Bolas has always been the desire of the multiverse itself to not be subjugated by him.

The Many Faces of Resistance

Throughout Magic: The Gathering lore, many individuals and groups have stood against Nicol Bolas’s schemes. Here are a few key categories:

Individuals Who Have Confronted Bolas

• Tetsuo Umezawa: Perhaps the most notable individual foe. Tetsuo, Bolas’s Imperial Champion, ultimately turned against him, renouncing his title and declaring his intention to slay the dragon. This betrayal was a significant blow, highlighting that even Bolas’s carefully chosen pawns could become his undoing. Tetsuo’s lineage and his possession of the powerful jitte made him a uniquely qualified threat, further demonstrating Bolas’s vulnerability to those he sought to control. He was instrumental in the later defeat of Nicol Bolas.
• The Gatewatch: This coalition of Planeswalkers, including Gideon Jura, Jace Beleren, Chandra Nalaar, Liliana Vess, and Nissa Revane, formed specifically to combat threats to the multiverse. Bolas became a primary target of their efforts, leading to many direct confrontations and ultimately contributing to his downfall during the War of the Spark. While the Gatewatch ultimately succeeded in stopping Bolas’s grand plan, it was a costly victory with Gideon’s demise.
• Ugin, the Spirit Dragon: Bolas’s twin brother, Ugin, has a history of clashing with Nicol due to opposing philosophies. Ugin sought to understand and contain cosmic threats, while Bolas sought to control them. Ugin played a crucial role in the past attempts to seal away the Eldrazi, a direct conflict with Bolas’s own plans. Their differing worldviews and inherent power created a natural and fundamental antagonism.
• Sorin Markov and Nahiri: While not directly opposed to Bolas, these two planeswalkers, alongside Ugin, were initially involved in sealing away the Eldrazi. The release of the Eldrazi ( orchestrated by Bolas) brought conflict back to Zendikar, showing the destructive nature of his actions and the consequences he brought upon the world.
• The People of Amonkhet: Though they were manipulated into a cult of Bolas worship, their eventual understanding of his true nature created a source of opposition. Their rebellion, though relatively minor in the grand scheme, shows that even those Bolas controls can eventually turn against him, especially when the truth comes to light.

The Forces That Oppose Him

Beyond individual enemies, Bolas faced other powerful forces:

• The Multiverse Itself: Fundamentally, the Multiverse’s tendency towards balance and resistance to complete domination is an obstacle for Bolas. The chaotic nature of planes and the various planeswalkers that populate them prevent Bolas from easily establishing absolute control.
• His Own Hubris: Bolas’s overwhelming pride and belief in his own superiority often led him to underestimate his opponents. This hubris became his undoing, causing miscalculations that ultimately contributed to his defeat. His arrogance blinded him to the potential threats even from those he perceived as inferior.

The True Nature of Bolas’s Enemy

In essence, Nicol Bolas’s enemy is not a single entity, but rather the embodiment of resistance against tyranny. It is the collective will of those who refuse to be controlled, the natural balance of the multiverse seeking equilibrium, and the inherent limitations of his own flawed character. While individuals have played key roles in his setbacks, the true opposition is the very principle that he opposes: the existence of free will and the inherent desire for independence.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is Nicol Bolas’s primary motivation?

Nicol Bolas’s primary motivation is the restoration of his pre-Mending power and status. He longs for the days when Planeswalkers were essentially gods, and he desires ultimate power and control over the multiverse. This obsession with power fuels all his actions.

2. How was Bolas defeated in War of the Spark?

Bolas was defeated during the War of the Spark after being stripped of his planeswalker spark and his other advantages. He was forced to battle on a plane where his opponent had a significant advantage. This weakened state, combined with the efforts of the Gatewatch, led to his defeat and imprisonment in the Meditation Realm.

3. Why did Bolas release the Eldrazi?

Bolas released the Eldrazi to study them, hoping to find a way to restore his former god-like status. He saw them as beings close to the power of old planeswalkers. By studying the Eldrazi, he hoped to unlock secrets that would allow him to regain his lost power.

4. What happened to Bolas after his defeat?

Following his defeat in War of the Spark, Bolas was stripped of his spark, magic, and advantages and was ultimately left powerless in the Meditation Realm, where he is essentially imprisoned.

5. Did Bolas create Amonkhet?

Bolas did not create Amonkhet. He corrupted and twisted a pre-existing plane, warping its culture to worship him as a god. He enslaved the inhabitants and twisted the plane into his twisted ideal.

6. What is the significance of the Spirit-Gem between Bolas’ horns?

The Spirit-Gem was a mystic artifact metaphysically tied to the Meditation Realm. Nicol Bolas used it to tap into the realm’s power. It also served as a symbol of his connection to the realm he sought to exploit.

7. Can Nicol Bolas the Ravager be a commander in MTG?

Yes, Nicol Bolas, the Ravager is a powerful and popular choice as a commander in Magic: The Gathering. His cheap cost and flexibility make him a versatile option for many decks.

8. Is Nicol Bolas the strongest character in MTG?

Nicol Bolas is considered one of the most powerful planeswalkers in MTG history. In the early days of Magic lore, planeswalkers were akin to gods, and even among them, Bolas was one of the most potent. His power was further amplified by the harvesting of other planeswalkers’ sparks.

9. Who were the planeswalkers who sealed away the Eldrazi?

The Eldrazi were originally sealed by three planeswalkers: Sorin Markov, Ugin, and Nahiri. They worked together to imprison these cosmic titans, but the events were then manipulated by Bolas.

10. Are the Eldrazi considered evil?

The Eldrazi are not necessarily evil in the traditional sense. They are better understood as a force of nature, incredibly powerful and alien, driven by unknowable motivations. Their actions are destructive but not driven by malice, more like the process of a natural disaster.

11. Who is the most powerful Eldrazi Titan?

Emrakul, the Aeons Torn, is widely considered the most powerful of the Eldrazi Titans. Her sheer size, abilities, and overwhelming power made her a terrifying foe and one of the strongest cards ever printed.

12. Why are the Eldrazi colorless in MTG?

The Eldrazi are colorless to emphasize their alien nature and their disconnect from the typical Magic color wheel. The colorlessness helps represent their existence beyond the understanding of the multiverse.

13. Did the Eldrazi create Vampires?

The Vampires of Zendikar were created through a magical infection derived from the Eldrazi, which enslaved them to Ulamog’s will. Over time, after the Eldrazi were sealed, they formed their own civilizations, even if they were still influenced by the Eldrazi’s presence.

14. Who is the oldest character in Magic The Gathering?

Nicol Bolas is one of the oldest characters in Magic the Gathering, being over 25,000 years old. His long life has allowed him to accumulate power and knowledge, making him a truly formidable figure.

15. What are Bolas’s weaknesses?

Bolas is not without weaknesses. He can be temporarily defeated if his spirit is separated from his body, his spirit is distracted, and his body is destroyed. Additionally, he seems vulnerable to sheer overwhelming power, as demonstrated by his near-death experience on Alara. He is also prone to miscalculation caused by his hubris.