Niv-mizzet or Nicol Bolas

[15bm]

One of the sites that has spoilers has comments on the bottom of the page, and they were debating the intelligence of nicol bolas compared to niv-mizzet. I was justwondering what anyone else thought.

[ChrisRodriguez]

Bolas is the oldest and smartest PW. Also bolas has the power to control other PW. Niv is not on that lvl of power. I do like both dragons though.

[Piotr]

Bolas is the (...) smartest PW.

[citation needed]?

[BlackJester]

Nicol Bolas was planeswalkin' before planswalkin' was cool....

Niv-Mizzet isn't even a planes walker. No contest

Is Planeswalking a measure of intelligence?  If so, would that make Garruk smarter than Niv too?

Just because he doesn't have a spark doesn't make him less intelligent IMHO.

[Dudecore]

I like now Niv doesn't have a spark. He's superiorly gifted and yet can't dominate outside of Ravnica. The Phyrexian and Eldrazi too, their power is vast enough to destroy worlds, but not powerful enough to defeat planeswalkers (multiple).

[BlackJester]

I thought Pherexia COULD planewalk. No?  I'm not that sure.

Gaining the spark comes from an intense an emotional moment for an individual. Maybe Niv is trying to cross-planes using science. Hence the new, massive research. 

[Dudecore]

I am not extremely versed in lore, but I was under the assumption that a planeswalker was infected by the Phyrexians, and that is how they were able to cross over. JaCe BeLeReN would know infinitely more then me.

[DevilGin]

Old phrexians could Travel through portals but only to and from dominaria and old phyrexia. But they built devices to make invading easier, {crucible of worlds} and {planar portal}  show this in their artwork, after they made planar portals though the could travel any plane cept doninaria due to the powerstones blocking them.NEW phrexians can't planeswalk at all.

[Greg54js]

Nicol bolas is infinitely wiser then Niv, however how they fair intellectually has yet to be seen...

[BlackJester]

Then we have to ask "what is intelligence?"

Knowing of facts?
Ability to reason?

I'm going to say that Bolas is more cunning, but Niv is more intellectual overall.

[Imdowd80]

I know a little bit about bolas. But what makes Niv so special?

[Greg54js]

I know a little bit about bolas. But what makes Niv so special?

Aside from bolas he's the only other dragon to have a superior intellect. He's izzet's leader and apparently a genius

[Xanzurth]

Then we have to ask "what is intelligence?"

Knowing of facts?
Ability to reason?

I'm going to say that Bolas is more cunning, but Niv is more intellectual overall.

I believe Bolas has the edge in both! While Niv controls a guild, Bolas has and still controls whole planes. Bolas has traveled through the planes amassing both intellegence and wisdom. As to yes "defeat" the five PW that joined against him only stalled him. They could not actually stop him. Plus through his intellect and wisdom he was able to gain control of two PW. {Sarkhon the Mad} and {Tezzeret, Agent of Bolas}.

[BlackJester]

That's merely a testament to Bolas's power, not intellect. Bolas is clearly better at manipulation of people, but while he's been out gallivanting and plotting Niv has been managing an entire guild in the pursuit of knowledge and information. 

[Fishsticks123]

What would Bolas's intelligence be at if he couldn't planeswalk?