Anaba Shaman MTG Card
1995-10-01 - Number 67a
1995-10-01 - Number 67b
1999-04-21 - Number 165
2003-07-28 - Number 175
2003-07-28 - Number 175★
2005-07-29 - Number 172★
2005-07-29 - Number 172
| Card sets | Released in 7 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Minotaur Shaman |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
o R, oc T: Anaba Shaman deals 1 damage to target creature or player.
"The Shamans? Ha! They are mere craven cows not capable of true magic." —Irini Sengir
Cards like Anaba Shaman
Anaba Shaman is a notable creature in the MTG landscape, hailing from the plane of Dominaria. As a creature card, it shares similarities with other spell-flingers like Prodigal Pyromancer. Both tap to deal one damage to any target, offering consistent board interaction. Unlike Anaba Shaman, Prodigal Pyromancer has the ability to ping right away with its inclusion in a deck that grants haste or employs untapping tactics.
Examining Cunning Sparkmage, another comparable card, shows that it also deals one damage to any target by tapping. However, Cunning Sparkmage boasts the ability to interact the moment it comes into play if you have a way to give it haste, making it a more immediate threat. Additionally, Vulshok Sorcerer presents a slightly different take, equipped with haste inherently, allowing for an instant hit upon entering the battlefield.
When evaluating Anaba Shaman against its counterparts, it’s evident that it provides a simple yet effective tool for players. Its flexibility to target creatures or players makes it versatile, though its impact is matched or even surpassed by other alternatives that offer speed or additional utility to control the game tempo.
Cards similar to Anaba Shaman by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Anaba Shaman provides a recurring source of damage letting you gradually weaken your opponents’ creatures or lower their life total. While it doesn’t draw cards directly, it can disrupt the opponent’s board presence, essentially negating the card advantage they might otherwise gain.
Resource Acceleration: While this card doesn’t accelerate mana resources in the traditional sense, its ability can be a form of resource acceleration by removing key threats without having to spend additional cards from your hand, effectively saving resources for other uses.
Instant Speed: Anaba Shaman’s ability can be activated at instant speed, granting the flexibility to use your mana on either your turn or your opponent’s. This can create a tactical advantage by forcing the opponent to play around the potential for instant-speed interaction, often leading to suboptimal plays on their part.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Anaba Shaman card doesn’t require you to discard, but its utility is limited in decks that could benefit from discard mechanics to trigger various effects.
Specific Mana Cost: The card’s casting cost demands one generic and two red mana, potentially creating a stumbling block in multicolored decks that need a more flexible mana base.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: For its activated ability, the Anaba Shaman demands one generic and two red mana, which can be quite steep for the ability to deal one damage to any target, especially when there are cards available at a lower cost or with a more impactful effect.
Reasons to Include Anaba Shaman in Your Collection
Versatility: Anaba Shaman offers flexibility for decks that seek a creature able to ping for damage. It slots into strategies focusing on direct damage or needing a reliable mana sink.
Combo Potential: Paired with effects that increase damage output or untap creatures, Anaba Shaman can become a key component in a combo, leading to significant damage over the course of a game.
Meta-Relevance: While not a staple in current competitive formats, Anaba Shaman can be a useful tool in casual circles or specific meta-games where its ability to deal damage directly to creatures or players can disrupt opponents’ plans.
How to Beat Anaba Shaman
Anaba Shaman is an intriguing utility creature that brings a touch of direct damage to the board in MTG. With its ability to ping any target for damage, it lends a strategic advantage by dismantling smaller creatures or finishing off weakened opponents. To overcome Anaba Shaman, it’s essential to recognize that its activation cost requires a hefty amount of mana each turn, which could spell a slower play for the opponent.
One efficient strategy is to introduce creatures with high toughness that can withstand the Shaman’s damage, thus rendering its ability less effective. Alternatively, direct removal spells are also effective, as they can rapidly clear the Shaman from the board before it becomes a threat. Counterspells can negate the Shaman before it ever becomes an active problem, and playing swiftly to pressure your opponent’s resources will limit their opportunities to utilize the Shaman’s ability to its full extent.
Additionally, engaging in combat with creatures that have the first strike can preempt the Shaman’s influence or deploying shroud and hexproof creatures to sidestep its targeted ability. In sum, fast pacing, strategic creature selection, and a keen eye on the mana pool will keep Anaba Shaman’s impact to a minimum and guide you towards victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Anaba Shaman MTG card by a specific set like Homelands and Homelands, 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 Anaba Shaman and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- 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
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Printings
The Anaba Shaman Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 1995-10-01 and 2005-07-29. Illustrated by 3 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1995-10-01 | Homelands | HML | 67a | 1993 | Normal | Black | Anson Maddocks | |
| 2 | 1995-10-01 | Homelands | HML | 67b | 1993 | Normal | Black | Anson Maddocks | |
| 3 | 1999-04-21 | Classic Sixth Edition | 6ED | 165 | 1997 | Normal | White | Anson Maddocks | |
| 4 | 2003-07-28 | Eighth Edition | 8ED | 175 | 2003 | Normal | White | Alex Horley-Orlandelli | |
| 5 | 2003-07-28 | Eighth Edition | 8ED | 175★ | 2003 | Normal | Black | Alex Horley-Orlandelli | |
| 6 | 2005-07-29 | Ninth Edition | 9ED | 172★ | 2003 | Normal | Black | Simon Bisley | |
| 7 | 2005-07-29 | Ninth Edition | 9ED | 172 | 2003 | Normal | White | Simon Bisley |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Anaba Shaman has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |