Shambling Ghast MTG Card


Shambling Ghast excels in providing card advantage and flexible in-game tactics. Its death triggers promote mana acceleration and strategic creature elimination. Despite its pros, deck consistency and immediate board impact may challenge its inclusion.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Zombie
Abilities Treasure
Power 1
Toughness 1

Text of card

When Shambling Ghast dies, choose one — • Brave the Stench — Target creature an opponent controls gets -1/-1 until end of turn. • Search the Body — Create a Treasure token. (It's an artifact with ", Sacrifice this artifact: Add one mana of any color.")


Cards like Shambling Ghast

Shambling Ghast offers a unique spin on the zombie creature archetype in Magic: The Gathering. This card provides strategic flexibility upon death, reminiscent of Festering Mummy, which lets a player put a -1/-1 counter on a target creature when it dies. While Festering Mummy affects the board immediately, Shambling Ghast’s ability to produce a Treasure token or give -1/-1 until end of turn to a creature offers more tactical options depending on the game situation.

Doomed Dissenter is another card that bears comparison. Similar to Shambling Ghast, it provides value after death by creating a creature token. However, Doomed Dissenter always results in a consistent 2/2 zombie while Shambling Ghast’s effects are more versatile, although not guaranteed to leave a creature behind. Sultai Emissary is also worth mentioning for its manifest ability upon demise, which could turn into a creature, enhancing the surprise element in gameplay.

In the realm of utility creatures that shine in death, Shambling Ghast stands out due to its dual options, catering to players who appreciate flexible strategies and resource advantage within the thrilling gameplay of Magic: The Gathering.

Festering Mummy - MTG Card versions
Doomed Dissenter - MTG Card versions
Sultai Emissary - MTG Card versions
Festering Mummy - MTG Card versions
Doomed Dissenter - MTG Card versions
Sultai Emissary - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Shambling Ghast by color, type and mana cost

Stone-Throwing Devils - MTG Card versions
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Vampire Bats - MTG Card versions
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Urborg Skeleton - MTG Card versions
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Plague Beetle - MTG Card versions
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Smolder Initiate - MTG Card versions
Kjeldoran Dead - MTG Card versions
Deathgreeter - MTG Card versions
Pulse Tracker - MTG Card versions
Stone-Throwing Devils - MTG Card versions
Will-o'-the-Wisp - MTG Card versions
Vampire Bats - MTG Card versions
Bog Rats - MTG Card versions
Muck Rats - MTG Card versions
Vebulid - MTG Card versions
Urborg Skeleton - MTG Card versions
Carrion Rats - MTG Card versions
Foulmire Knight // Profane Insight - MTG Card versions
Dark Supplicant - MTG Card versions
Bile Urchin - MTG Card versions
Plague Beetle - MTG Card versions
Festering Goblin - MTG Card versions
Sleeper Agent - MTG Card versions
Knucklebone Witch - MTG Card versions
Nightshade Stinger - MTG Card versions
Smolder Initiate - MTG Card versions
Kjeldoran Dead - MTG Card versions
Deathgreeter - MTG Card versions
Pulse Tracker - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Shambling Ghast. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Mono Black AggroMono Black Aggro PauperLega Pauper L'Aquila - 1° Tappa - Road to Paupergeddon Rome 2024
Golgari GardensGolgari Gardens PauperGolgari GardensPauper League 2024-01-22
Mono- Black ZombiesMono- Black Zombies PauperMonthly Tournament #38 @ Paper Pauper Magic Discord
Mono-Black MidrangeMono-Black Midrange PauperSprint Wheel Event - Geddon Series 3^ tappa MILANO 2024
Mardu SacrificeMardu Sacrifice GladiatorGladiator Proving Grounds: Week 09 2024
Mardu AggroMardu Aggro GladiatorGladiator Proving Grounds: Week 11 2024
Rakdos AggroRakdos Aggro GladiatorGladiator Proving Grounds: Week 09 2024
Mono-Black TempoMono-Black Tempo PauperBLUE - SAT - 1PM - Chicago Pauper Cup
Jund SacrificeJund Sacrifice GladiatorSword and Sandals Showdown: EMEA Week 08 2024
Grixis StormGrixis Storm GladiatorGladiator Proving Grounds: Week 06 2024

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Shambling Ghast brings a significant edge when it comes to card advantage. Upon its demise, you choose to either create a Treasure token, which can be cashed in for a card in certain deck builds, or you can give a creature -1/-1 until end of turn, potentially removing an opponent’s key card from the board and tilting the balance in your favor.

Resource Acceleration: The ability to generate a Treasure token not only contributes to a higher card flow but also offers invaluable mana acceleration. This potential for resource ramp means you can deploy more substantial threats ahead of the usual curve, a critical aspect in any fast-paced game.

Instant Speed: While Shambling Ghast itself is not an instant, the capacity to leverage its death trigger at instant speed adds a layer of unpredictability and flexibility. This means you can block an attacker and choose the most advantageous time to benefit from the Ghast’s last gasp, either thwarting an imminent threat or advancing your mana resources for a critical play.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Shambling Ghast doesn’t ask for a card to be discarded, it requires sacrificing itself or another creature to get the most value. This could be seen as a loss of board presence, especially if no other creatures are available for sacrifice.

Specific Mana Cost: Although Shambling Ghast only requires one black mana to cast, it can be restrictive in multicolor decks that may need that mana for other spells. Ensuring the right mana at the right time can challenge your deck’s consistency.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Given that it is a one-mana creature, Shambling Ghast’s mana cost is not high. However, to leverage its full potential, it needs to die, which might not immediately impact the board compared to other one-drops that provide instant value or more aggressive stats.


Reasons to Include Shambling Ghast in Your Collection

Versatility: Shambling Ghast boasts flexible usage in various MTG deck archetypes. It is particularly useful in those that capitalize on creature sacrifice for incremental advantages.

Combo Potential: This creature’s death triggers can seamlessly integrate into combo scenarios. With the right synergy, it can create a Zombie token or craft a Treasure, making it a cog in intricate MTG machine decks.

Meta-Relevance: Given the ever-shifting MTG landscape, Shambling Ghast holds its ground by interfering with opponents’ early game creatures and strategies, staying relevant in numerous metagames.


How to beat

The Shambling Ghast may seem like a minimal threat in Magic: The Gathering due to its low power and toughness, but underestimating its potential can be a mistake. This pesky creature shines in decks that capitalize on death triggers and token generation. To tackle it effectively, one of your best options is to utilize removal spells that exile instead of destroy, bypassing the Ghast’s ability to trigger its last-gasp benefit. Cards like Scavenging Ooze can also be instrumental, as it can consume creatures from the graveyard, denying the Ghast’s death trigger effects.

Another strategy involves controlling the timing of its destruction. Avoid killing the Ghast on your opponent’s turn, particularly when they have mana available and could utilize the Treasure token or the -1/-1 effect to their advantage. Instead, force your opponent to make difficult decisions during your turn where they might have fewer optimal uses for their Shambling Ghast’s abilities. By applying this strategic pressure and understanding the Ghast’s synergies within your opponent’s deck, you can minimize the impact of this seemingly innocuous creature and maintain the upper hand.


BurnMana Recommendations

Understanding the intricacies of Shambling Ghast can turn the tides in any MTG battle. Whether you’re looking to sharpen your deck’s edge or craft unbreakable strategies, tapping into the nuances of each card is key. Shambling Ghast is a prime example of a card that offers more than meets the eye. Maximizing its death triggers and token generation requires finesse and tactical acumen. As you refine your deck and prepare for your next clash of wits and strategy, remember that mastering cards like Shambling Ghast could make all the difference. We invite you to deepen your knowledge and skills with us and ensure your next duel brings inevitable victory.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Shambling Ghast MTG card by a specific set like Adventures in the Forgotten Realms and Alchemy Horizons: Baldur's Gate, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.

For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.

Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.

Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Shambling Ghast and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Shambling Ghast Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2021-07-23 and 2022-07-07. Illustrated by Dave Kendall.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12021-07-23Adventures in the Forgotten RealmsAFR 1192015NormalBlackDave Kendall
22022-07-07Alchemy Horizons: Baldur's GateHBG 1672015NormalBlackDave Kendall

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Shambling Ghast has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
TimelessLegal