Dokuchi Shadow-Walker MTG Card
2022-02-18 - Number 339
2022-02-18 - Number 94
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 6 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Ogre Ninja |
| Abilities | Ninjutsu |
| Power | 5 |
| Toughness | 5 |
Text of card
Ninjutsu (, Return an unblocked attacker you control to hand: Put this card onto the battlefield from your hand tapped and attacking.)
Cards like Dokuchi Shadow-Walker
Dokuchi Shadow-Walker is a unique creature card that has made its place in the rogue and ninjutsu-themed decks. It shares similarities with cards like Okiba-Gang Shinobi, which also provides a hit to the opponent’s card advantage by forcing them to discard cards. However, Dokuchi Shadow-Walker introduces a compelling strategy by potentially having deathtouch, making it a double-edged sword against opponents.
Ink-Eyes, Servant of Oni stands in comparison with its ninjutsu ability and a similar capacity for disrupting the opponent’s hand. Yet, Dokuchi Shadow-Walker distinguishes itself with a lower mana cost, enabling a faster and often unexpected gameplay dynamic. Furthermore, Throat Slitter offers the advantage of destroying a nonblack creature, which can be crucial in certain matchups but lacks the ongoing threat that a card like Dokuchi Shadow-Walker imposes on the board presence with its potential deathtouch.
Consequently, Dokuchi Shadow-Walker holds a valuable position among ninjutsu and hand disruption cards, due to its flexibility and the persistent threat it represents to opponents’ creatures. As players adapt their decks, they often weigh these subtle yet impactful differences to optimize their strategies and maximize their chances for victory.
Cards similar to Dokuchi Shadow-Walker by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Dokuchi Shadow-Walker. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Dimir Ninja | Pauper | Tappa n. 6 - Lega Pauper Ravenna - Road to Paupergeddon Winter Edition 2024 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Dokuchi Shadow-Walker presents an opportunity to generate card advantage. Once on the battlefield, its ability can disrupt your opponent’s hand while granting you valuable insights into their strategy, subtly tipping the scales in your favor during the match.
Resource Acceleration: This card, through its abilities or interactions, can be a catalyst for resource acceleration. It has the potential to unlock mana resources efficiently, enabling you to cast more spells or deploy more threats ahead of your planned game curve.
Instant Speed: Dokuchi Shadow-Walker’s abilities can be activated at instant speed, providing flexibility and strategic depth. This feature allows you to react to your opponent’s actions during their turn, potentially altering the state of the game when they least expect it.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Dokuchi Shadow-Walker forces a discard upon activation, which could deplete your hand and reduce your options, particularly when your card advantage isn’t sufficient.
Specific Mana Cost: Its casting cost requires very specific mana which might not seamlessly fit into every deck, especially those that are not tailored around its color identity.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: When you consider the mana investment against other options available, the cost of bringing Dokuchi Shadow-Walker onto the battlefield may seem steep for players aiming for an efficient mana curve strategy.
Reasons to Include Dokuchi Shadow-Walker in Your Collection
Versatility: Dokuchi Shadow-Walker offers a dynamic role within various deck archetypes, primarily those capitalizing on stealth and evasion. Its elusive nature ensures it’s seldom caught off guard and can adapt across multiple game scenarios.
Combo Potential: The card thrives in synergistic settings, complementing strategies centered around stealth or ninja tactics. Its nuanced abilities can create unexpected interactions and combo opportunities, possibly turning the tide of the game in your favor.
Meta-Relevance: Considering the fluctuating landscape of the meta-game, Dokuchi Shadow-Walker maintains relevance by providing an answer to heavily fortified defenses. Its inclusion in your deck means staying one step ahead of opponents who aren’t prepared for its clandestine tactics.
How to beat
Dokuchi Shadow-Walker is a stealthy presence on the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering, offering untapped potential for stealthy strategies. This nimble character often eludes direct confrontation through its evasion abilities, posing a unique challenge to opponents. Its ability to slip through defenses makes it a threat that requires a carefully crafted response.
One effective tactic against the Dokuchi Shadow-Walker is employing spells that don’t target. Since the Shadow-Walker thrives on dodging targeted abilities, board wipes or global effects like Wrath of God circumvent its evasive nature. Another strategy is using cards with the reach ability to thwart this elusive creature without having to target it directly. Moreover, one could introduce creatures with deathtouch to deter attacks, as even a single point of damage from these defenders would be lethal to the Shadow-Walker. Employing these methods can help maintain control and keep Dokuchi Shadow-Walker from gaining the upper hand.
Ultimately, the key to outmaneuvering Dokuchi Shadow-Walker is to avoid playing into its strengths. By adapting your gameplay and utilizing non-targeting removal or strategic defensive creatures, you retain control over the game’s flow and diminish the impact of this veiled adversary.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Dokuchi Shadow-Walker MTG card by a specific set like Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty and Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty, 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 Dokuchi Shadow-Walker and other MTG cards:
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- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
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Printings
The Dokuchi Shadow-Walker Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2022-02-18 and 2022-02-18. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2022-02-18 | Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty | NEO | 339 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Sansyu | |
| 2 | 2022-02-18 | Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty | NEO | 94 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Manuel Castañón |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Dokuchi Shadow-Walker has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Dokuchi Shadow-Walker card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2022-02-18 | Although the Ninja is attacking, it was never declared as an attacking creature (for purposes of abilities that trigger whenever a creature attacks, for example). |
| 2022-02-18 | As you activate a ninjutsu ability, you reveal the Ninja card in your hand and return the attacking creature. The Ninja card stays revealed and isn't put onto the battlefield until the ability resolves. If it leaves your hand before then, it won't enter the battlefield at all. |
| 2022-02-18 | If a creature in combat has first strike or double strike, you can activate the ninjutsu ability during the first-strike combat damage step. The Ninja will deal combat damage during the regular combat damage step, even if it has first strike. |
| 2022-02-18 | Puff of smoke not included. |
| 2022-02-18 | The creature with ninjutsu enters the battlefield attacking the same player or planeswalker that the returned creature was attacking. This is a rule specific to ninjutsu; in other cases, when a creature is put onto the battlefield attacking, that creature's controller chooses which player or planeswalker it's attacking. |
| 2022-02-18 | The ninjutsu ability can be activated during the declare blockers step, combat damage step, or end of combat step. In most cases (see below), if you wait until the combatdamage step or end of combat step, it will be after combat damage has been dealt, so the Ninja won't deal combat damage. |
| 2022-02-18 | The ninjutsu ability can be activated only after blockers have been declared. Before then, attacking creatures are neither blocked nor unblocked. |