Ambuscade Shaman MTG Card

Offers creature spell value, enriching board state with +2/+2 boosts upon their entry. Intensifies the game’s pace by converting average creatures into formidable threats. Enhances aggressive deck strategies, elevating the tempo against control opponents.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Orc Shaman
Abilities	Dash
Released	2015-03-27
Set symbol
Set name	Dragons of Tarkir
Set code	DTK
Power	2
Toughness	2
Number	87
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Anthony Palumbo

Text of card

Whenever Ambuscade Shaman or another creature enters the battlefield under your control, that creature gets +2/+2 until end of turn. Dash (You may cast this spell for its dash cost. If you do, it gains haste, and it's returned from the battlefield to its owner's hand at the beginning of the next end step.)

Cards like Ambuscade Shaman

Ambuscade Shaman is an intriguing creature option for players looking to enhance their aggressive strategies in Magic the Gathering. Similar to cards like Goblin Chieftain and Goblin Warchief, which are also known to empower creature-based decks, Ambuscade Shaman offers a unique twist with its ability to augment creatures as they enter the battlefield. While these Goblin cards focus on empowering Goblin tribal decks, Ambuscade Shaman has a broader application by affecting all creatures with a type of “entering the battlefield” benefit that is triggered under the right conditions.

Another close comparison is with Chief of the Edge, both providing an omnipresent boost to certain creature types, though the Chief is more restrictive, targeting only Warrior creatures, whereas Ambuscade Shaman remains unconditional to creature type. Additionally, Ambuscade Shaman’s ability does not limit itself to affecting only creatures on the battlefield, but also gives a bonus every time a creature is introduced onto the field, making it uniquely favorable in decks that frequently cast creatures.

In the landscape of MTG, Ambuscade Shaman carves out a respectable position for itself, offering a continuous yet expanding influence on the board, which can prove particularly potent in the fast-paced, creature-heavy decks that look to press the advantage with every creature played.

Cards similar to Ambuscade Shaman by color, type and mana cost

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Card Pros

Card Advantage: Ambuscade Shaman enhances creatures that enter the battlefield under your control by giving them a +2/+2 boost until the end of turn, bolstering each creature’s impact and effectively squeezing more value out of every creature spell you cast.

Resource Acceleration: With its ability to amplify the power of your newly cast or reanimated creatures, this Shaman helps to accelerate the pace at which you can pressure your opponent, turning what are ordinarily average-sized creatures into significant threats that must be dealt with promptly.

Instant Speed: Ambuscade Shaman’s ability is inherently tied to the speed at which creatures are cast. While the Shaman itself doesn’t operate at instant speed, it synergizes well with creatures that do, or with effects that put creatures onto the battlefield at instant speed, granting immediate and potentially surprise bonuses during combat or at the end of your opponent’s turn.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Ambuscade Shaman does not have a discard requirement, which makes it somewhat easier to play without affecting your hand size.

Specific Mana Cost: While this creature offers a solid boost to your attacking creatures, the need for both black and generic mana in its cost can restrict its usage. Decks not heavily invested in black mana may struggle to reliably deploy this card, limiting its versatility for multi-colored decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The three mana required to cast Ambuscade Shaman might be taxing, especially when you consider it’s a 2/2. In a game where tempo can dictate the winner, a three-mana investment might not always be the best play, especially when there are other cards that can offer more impact on the board for a similar or lower cost.

Reasons to Include Ambuscade Shaman in Your Collection

Versatility: Ambuscade Shaman is a dynamic choice for decks focused on aggressive strategies. Its ability to boost incoming creatures gives it a solid role in numerous deck builds, especially those that capitalize on a high volume of creatures.

Combo Potential: With its ability to give a +2/+2 boost to creatures with dash that are entering the battlefield, Ambuscade Shaman works well with other cards that complement its ability, setting up opportunities for powerful creature-heavy combos.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where tempo plays are critical, Ambuscade Shaman can shift the pace of the game in your favor. It enhances aggressive plays and can be particularly effective against control decks by strengthening your creatures and pressuring your opponent before they fully establish control.

How to beat

Ambuscade Shaman is a potent force in the realm of Magic: The Gathering, known for its ability to bolster the might of your creatures during dash. Its ability might seem overwhelming initially, but there are reliable strategies to undermine its influence on the battlefield. Removal spells are your first line of defense; instant-speed options like Path to Exile or Fatal Push can disrupt your opponent’s momentum by removing the shaman before the dash ability is utilized.

Counterspells also serve as a robust barrier against Ambuscade Shaman. A well-timed Counterspell or Mana Leak can prevent the shaman from ever entering the fray. Additionally, board wipes, such as Day of Judgment or Wrath of God, can clear the path, especially if the shaman has already buffed a swath of dashing creatures. Lastly, passive control through Ensnaring Bridge restricts creature attacks once the opponent’s hand is full, rendering the enhanced power of dashing creatures moot.

Evaluating the right moment to execute these counters against Ambuscade Shaman is key. Whether it’s pre-emptively halting it from taking the field or responding to its trigger, handling this threat requires insight into your opponent’s tactics and timing your responses with precision.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Ambuscade Shaman MTG card by a specific set like Dragons of Tarkir, 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 Ambuscade Shaman and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Ambuscade Shaman has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Restricted
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Penny	Legal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Ambuscade Shaman card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date	Text
2015-02-25	If Ambuscade Shaman enters the battlefield at the same time as other creatures you control, its ability will trigger for each of those creatures.
2015-02-25	If a creature enters the battlefield as a copy of or becomes a copy of a creature whose dash cost was paid, the copy won’t have haste and won’t be returned to its owner’s hand.
2015-02-25	If you choose to pay the dash cost rather than the mana cost, you’re still casting the spell. It goes on the stack and can be responded to and countered. You can cast a creature spell for its dash cost only when you otherwise could cast that creature spell. Most of the time, this means during your main phase when the stack is empty.
2015-02-25	If you pay the dash cost to cast a creature spell, that card will be returned to its owner’s hand only if it’s still on the battlefield when its triggered ability resolves. If it dies or goes to another zone before then, it will stay where it is.
2015-02-25	You don’t have to attack with the creature with dash unless another ability says you do.