Shadowstorm Vizier MTG Card
2017-04-28 - Number 206
2020-08-13 - Number 261
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Human Cleric |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Key Takeaways
- Shadowstorm Vizier increases in power with each card cycled or discarded, enhancing board presence and strategy.
- Instant speed ability allows Vizier to adapt and surprise opponents, providing dynamic gameplay advantages.
- Demands specific mana colors, which may limit its versatility across different deck archetypes.
Text of card
Flying Whenever you cycle or discard a card, Shadowstorm Vizier gets +1/+1 until end of turn.
She can coil a breeze like a string around her finger—or twist it into a noose.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Shadowstorm Vizier provides a strategic benefit by getting stronger each time you cycle or discard a card. By accumulating additional cards in your hand through these actions, this creature becomes a formidable threat on the board.
Resource Acceleration: When you’re cycling cards, Shadowstorm Vizier gives you the upper hand by not only contributing to your offensive capabilities but also by subtly speeding up your resource management. Each card cycled means a potential increase in power on the field.
Instant Speed: The ability of the Shadowstorm Vizier to get stronger at instant speed presents a dynamic play pattern, allowing you to adapt and strengthen your creature reactively, catching opponents off guard during combat or at the end of their turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Shadowstorm Vizier needs you to discard a card to trigger its ability. This can be a setback, especially when you’re running out of cards in hand and need to maintain a presence on the board.
Specific Mana Cost: The Vizier demands a combination of blue and black mana to be cast. This requirement may restrict its inclusion to decks that can reliably produce these colors, potentially limiting its versatility in a broader range of decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: For a 1/3 flyer, the initial mana cost of two might seem reasonable, but to consistently leverage its ability to get bigger, you’ll find yourself spending additional resources. When considering the cost to benefit ratio, other creatures could provide more impact for the same or lower mana investment.
Reasons to Include Shadowstorm Vizier in Your Collection
Versatility: Shadowstorm Vizier is a flexible card that can be slotted into a variety of decks. Its ability to grow stronger whenever you cycle or discard another card makes it a powerful asset in strategies centered around card flow.
Combo Potential: Due to its synergistic design, this card has considerable potential in combo-oriented decks. It can quickly become a substantial threat on the board by interacting with cycling or discard mechanics to consistently increase its power and toughness.
Meta-Relevance: In a game environment where cycling or discard strategies are prevalent, the Shadowstorm Vizier can serve as an efficient threat that capitalizes on common play patterns, making it a relevant choice for competitive play.
How to Beat Shadowstorm Vizier
Shadowstorm Vizier presents a unique challenge on the battlefield with its ability to gain flying and power boosts whenever you cycle or discard a card. Tackling this card head-on demands a strategy that mitigates its strengths while capitalizing on its weaknesses.
Effective removal spells are your first line of defense. Instant-speed spells like Fatal Push can dispatch the Vizier before it grows out of control, provided you meet its revolt condition. Countermagic is another solid tactic; spells like Counterspell are perfect for ensuring Shadowstorm Vizier never touches the field in the first place. Moreover, setting up a strong defense with creatures that have reach or spells that can grant this ability may discourage your opponent from attacking with an empowered Vizier.
Always keep an eye on your opponent’s mana and hand size. A low number of cards in hand may indicate a reduced likelihood of cycling or discarding, which in turn means less empowerment for their Vizier. When it comes to Shadowstorm Vizier, preemptive action and constant pressure are key. By dismantling their game plan and keeping the board in check, you’ll neutralize this threat effectively.
Cards like Shadowstorm Vizier
Shadowstorm Vizier presents an interesting choice for players who enjoy flying creatures with synergistic abilities in MTG. Its closest parallel is found in cards like Tithe Drinker, which also offers a multifunctional capacity. Where Shadowstorm Vizier gains flying and power through card discards or cycling, Tithe Drinker has extort, allowing a player to capitalize on life gain and resource depletion, though it lacks the ability to increase power directly and on-demand.
Another card that resonates with Shadowstorm Vizier’s design is Heirs of Stromkirk. While Heirs of Stromkirk does not interact with card cycling or discarding, it grows stronger with each hit to an opponent, a testament to its inherent prowess. Shadowstorm Vizier, contrarily, requires a specific trigger to flex its power, offering a different type of challenge and strategy for deck builders.
Ultimately, Shadowstorm Vizier offers a unique blend of agility and adaptability within MTG, particularly for those who value instant-speed interaction and the versatility of reacting to hand management, setting it apart from creatures with more passive power-growth strategies or different utility skills.
Cards similar to Shadowstorm Vizier by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Shadowstorm Vizier MTG card by a specific set like Amonkhet and Amonkhet Remastered, 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 Shadowstorm Vizier and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Printings
The Shadowstorm Vizier Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2017-04-28 and 2020-08-13. Illustrated by Yongjae Choi.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2017-04-28 | Amonkhet | AKH | 206 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Yongjae Choi | |
| 2 | 2020-08-13 | Amonkhet Remastered | AKR | 261 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Yongjae Choi |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Shadowstorm Vizier has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Shadowstorm Vizier card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2017-04-18 | An ability that triggers whenever you discard a card doesn’t give you permission to discard cards. You’ll need another effect that instructs or allows you to discard them. |
| 2017-04-18 | An ability that triggers whenever you “cycle or discard” a card triggers only once if you cycle a card. The ability “Whenever you discard a card” is functionally identical to this ability; cycling is mentioned for clarity. |
| 2017-04-18 | If a player discards a card during their cleanup step due to having too many cards in hand, any appropriate abilities that trigger on discarding that card trigger. If this happens, those triggered abilities are put onto the stack and players receive priority in that cleanup step to cast spells or activate abilities (normally, no players may take actions during a cleanup step). Another cleanup step is created following that one. |
| 2017-04-18 | Some cards have an ability that triggers whenever you cycle any card. These triggered abilities resolve before you draw from the cycling ability. |
