Drifting Shade MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Shade |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Released | 2011-07-15 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Magic 2012 |
| Set code | M12 |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
| Number | 96 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Tomasz Jedruszek |
Text of card
Flying : Drifting Shade gets +1/+1 until end of turn.
It stalks the fens by the light of the full moon, gathering shadows as it floats among them.
Cards like Drifting Shade
Drifting Shade offers a unique twist in the realm of creature cards with its scalable ability to boost its power. It shares similarities with cards like Nighthaze, which also provide flying capabilities and can be cast for a single black mana. However, Drifting Shade has the advantage of permanent power increase with each additional black mana invested, whereas Nighthaze only grants the flying ability until the end of the turn.
Shadowfeed is another card players might consider alongside Drifting Shade. While Shadowfeed can’t match the creature aspect of Drifting Shade, it also uses black mana and has the added bonus of exiling target card from a graveyard to gain life. This can be crucial in specific matchups where graveyard interaction is key. Sengir Vampire, yet another black creature card, has the ability to grow stronger by gaining +1/+1 counters whenever it destroys a creature, presenting an alternative escalating threat to Drifting Shade that doesn’t rely on mana investment.
In summary, Drifting Shade shines as a versatile and potentially powerful creature in Magic the Gathering, especially for those who are adept at mana management and in need of a flying creature that can adapt its power dynamically in the heat of battle.
Cards similar to Drifting Shade by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Drifting Shade offers a unique benefit by allowing players to pump its power for each black mana invested. This can result in drawing out removal from opponents or needing to be dealt with immediately, helping maintain card advantage through resource commitment from the opposition.
Resource Acceleration: While not providing direct mana acceleration, Drifting Shade’s scalability with the amount of available black mana can lead to a significant threat on the board. It can prove to be a strategic asset in games where the mana base is developed enough to support its growth.
Instant Speed: Although not an instant itself, the ability to pump Drifting Shade at instant speed offers flexibility during combat. Whether you’re attacking or defending, you can allocate mana to increase the Shade’s power on-the-fly, forcing your opponent to consider the potential for a creature size increase during their combat decisions.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Drifting Shade obliges players to discard a card to unleash its potential, which can result in a disadvantageous trade-off when your hand is already depleted or the card quality is high.
Specific Mana Cost: This creature’s reliance on a strict mana alignment, particularly requiring black for its pump ability, makes it less flexible and harder to cast in multi-color decks that aren’t heavily invested in black mana sources.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: For its base stats and abilities, Drifting Shade comes with a demanding mana cost. In the competitive landscape, players might find that other creatures at the same cost threshold offer more immediate board presence or impactful abilities.
Reasons to Include Drifting Shade in Your Collection
Versatility: Drifting Shade offers a unique flexibility thanks to its flying ability, allowing it to be a consistent threat in the air. Moreover, its ability to get stronger with each swamp you tap makes it adaptable in mono-black or heavy-black decks.
Combo Potential: This creature can become a powerful force when combined with cards that ramp up your mana or increase the number of swamps you control. Its scalable power means you can easily adjust its strength based on your available mana, making it perfect for synergizing with various strategies.
Meta-Relevance: Given its ability to dodge ground-based defenses and grow in power, Drifting Shade can be a formidable asset in a meta where flying creatures dominate or where games tend to drag, giving you the time to maximize its potential.
How to beat
Drifting Shade is a unique creature card with the potential to become a formidable force on the battlefield. Its key feature is its ability to gain +1/+1 until end of turn for each black mana you invest. This makes it an adjustable threat that can adapt to the ever-changing landscape of a match. However, despite its versatility, there are strategies to effectively counter this shadowy creature.
One approach is to utilize removal spells that can bypass its scalable power. Spells with ‘destroy’ effects or those that don’t consider a creature’s power, like Doom Blade or Path to Exile, can efficiently handle Drifting Shade, irrespective of how much mana has been pumped into it. Another tactic is to limit the available black mana sources. Land destruction or mana disruption can stifle the growth of Drifting Shade, keeping it within manageable bounds. Furthermore, blockers with ‘prevent all damage’ abilities can nullify its attacks regardless of its size. Utilizing these methods will help you maintain control and prevent your opponent’s Drifting Shade from overshadowing the game.
In essence, understanding the flexibility and vulnerabilities of Drifting Shade is key. By employing precise removal, mana control, and strategic defense, you can keep this growing threat in check and preserve your path to victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Drifting Shade MTG card by a specific set like Magic 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 Drifting Shade 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
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Drifting Shade has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |