Dowsing Shaman MTG Card


Dowsing Shaman excels in enchantment-heavy decks, providing repeatable card advantage at instant speed. Moderate activation cost and specific mana requirements shape its strategic role in green-centered decks. Its impact on the game makes it a versatile asset in evolving MTG metas, with combo and recovery potential.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Centaur Shaman
Power 3
Toughness 4

Text of card

, : Return target enchantment card from your graveyard to your hand.

He combs the streets looking for the lost light, the discarded enigmas of the city.


Cards like Dowsing Shaman

Dowsing Shaman offers a unique approach to recurring enchantments from the graveyard in Magic: The Gathering. Close counterparts include Auramancer and Monk Idealist, which also return enchantments to hand. However, the Shaman’s continuous ability to retrieve enchantments at the cost of mana sets it apart, whereas the others are one-shot effects upon entering the battlefield.

Then there’s Crystal Chimes, which also allows for retrieval of enchantments, but in a grander fashion, returning all enchantments from the graveyard to the hand in a single, albeit more costly, effect. Both of these cards directly contrast Dowsing Shaman’s deliberate, targeted recovery, which can be more tactical, permitting a player to regain key pieces when necessary.

In summary, Dowsing Shaman invites players to skillfully manipulate the graveyard over time. It excels in strategies where enchantments play a key role and repeatable retrieval is of paramount importance, offering a continuous threat that’s harder to exhaust in comparison with its single-use relatives.

Auramancer - MTG Card versions
Monk Idealist - MTG Card versions
Crystal Chimes - MTG Card versions
Auramancer - MTG Card versions
Monk Idealist - MTG Card versions
Crystal Chimes - MTG Card versions

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Cockatrice - MTG Card versions
Ironroot Treefolk - MTG Card versions
Elvish Bard - MTG Card versions
Durkwood Boars - MTG Card versions
Elven Riders - MTG Card versions
Redwood Treefolk - MTG Card versions
Spined Wurm - MTG Card versions
Rabid Wolverines - MTG Card versions
Deadly Insect - MTG Card versions
Vintara Elephant - MTG Card versions
Kavu Chameleon - MTG Card versions
Spring-Leaf Avenger - MTG Card versions
Okina Nightwatch - MTG Card versions
Consuming Blob - MTG Card versions
Primeval Force - MTG Card versions
Spitting Spider - MTG Card versions
Copperhoof Vorrac - MTG Card versions
Tel-Jilad Lifebreather - MTG Card versions
Llanowar Behemoth - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Dowsing Shaman represents a reusable source of card advantage in decks that utilize an array of enchantments. Once set up, this Shaman can repeatedly return enchantments from your graveyard to your hand, ensuring a constant flow of resources and overwhelming your opponents with the value generated over time.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly providing mana, the capacity to retrieve enchantments can lead to indirect resource acceleration. By recovering mana-generating enchantments like Wild Growth or Utopia Sprawl, Dowsing Shaman helps accelerate your mana resources, allowing for larger plays or multiple spells in a single turn.

Instant Speed: The ability to activate Dowsing Shaman at instant speed is crucial. It allows you to wait until the end of your opponent’s turn to decide the best enchantment to return from your graveyard. This flexibility ensures that you can react to evolving game states, retrieve key enchantments in response to actions by opponents, or simply use your mana efficiently if no other actions were taken during their turn.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Dowsing Shaman requires the return of an enchantment card from your graveyard to your hand, which means you need to have a used enchantment available. This can sometimes limit the card’s effectiveness, especially in the early game or if your graveyard is not well-stocked with enchantments.

Specific Mana Cost: To activate Dowsing Shaman’s ability, you need to pay three mana, including at least one green. This makes the card specifically tied to green or multicolored decks, potentially restricting its adaptability and usage across a range of deck types.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With the ability costing three mana to utilize, Dowsing Shaman can prove costly when you’re trying to maintain tempo or when mana resources are scarce. There are alternatives that might provide enchantment recursion or similar effects for a lower cost, allowing for a more efficient use of mana throughout the game.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Dowsing Shaman offers flexibility in deck building, being a staple for many enchantment-heavy strategies. Its ability to retrieve enchantments from the graveyard means it can support a variety of game plans and adjust to an evolving board state.

Combo Potential: This card pairs well with decks that cycle through enchantments quickly or use them as a resource. It enables recurring combinations that can overwhelm opponents through a steady stream of previously used enchantments.

Meta-Relevance: In a game environment where control and graveyard strategies are prevalent, Dowsing Shaman becomes a valuable tool. Its recurrent retrieval ability allows players to maintain pressure and resourcefulness, keeping pace with the demand of the current meta.


How to beat

Overcoming the Dowsing Shaman in Magic: The Gathering requires knowledge of its strengths and tactical planning. This centaur shaman shines in environments rich with enchantments, granting players the ability to retrieve key enchantments from their graveyard. A solid strategy to disable the Dowsing Shaman’s abilities is through the use of cards that restrict graveyard access or that can exile enchantments directly from the graveyard. Cards that provide graveyard hate, such as Relic of Progenitus or Scavenging Ooze, are great examples, as they can fend off the shaman’s attempts to reuse enchantments.

Moreover, creature removal spells are effective in ensuring that the Dowsing Shaman doesn’t stay on the battlefield long enough to disrupt your gameplay. Targeted removal cards such as Path to Exile or Fatal Push work efficiently to clear the way. It’s also wise to keep the enchantment count low on your side, thereby limiting the Dowsing Shaman’s targets. Lastly, consistently applying pressure and maintaining board control can hinder your opponent’s ability to effectively utilize the Dowsing Shaman, keeping the upper hand in your favor throughout the match.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Dowsing Shaman MTG card by a specific set like Ravnica: City of Guilds and Planechase 2012, 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 Dowsing Shaman and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Dowsing Shaman Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2005-10-07 and 2016-11-25. Illustrated by Wayne Reynolds.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12005-10-07Ravnica: City of GuildsRAV 1592003NormalBlackWayne Reynolds
22012-06-01Planechase 2012PC2 632003NormalBlackWayne Reynolds
32016-11-25Planechase AnthologyPCA 632015NormalBlackWayne Reynolds

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Dowsing Shaman has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal