Fiend of the Shadows MTG Card
2012-02-03 - Number 62
2021-07-23 - Number 99
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Vampire Wizard |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
Flying Whenever Fiend of the Shadows deals combat damage to a player, that player exiles a card from his or her hand. You may play that card for as long as it remains exiled. Sacrifice a Human: Regenerate Fiend of the Shadows.
Cards like Fiend of the Shadows
Fiend of the Shadows is a unique and dark presence in the creature sphere of Magic: The Gathering. This vampire wizard is somewhat reminiscent of cards like Hypnotic Specter, since both share the ability to disrupt opponents by granting access to their cards. Fiend of the Shadows takes it a notch further by allowing you to play the card you exile from your opponent’s hand as long as it remains on the battlefield. Unlike Hypnotic Specter, which causes discarding at random, this feature provides more strategic control over what cards are taken.
Another card in comparison is Gonti, Lord of Luxury. Although Gonti doesn’t possess the aerial advantage or the continual hand sifting that Fiend of the Shadows offers, it does provide a one-time guarantee to exile one of the top four cards of an opponent’s library and you may use that card as if it were in your hand. While the Fiend facilitates ongoing disruption, Gonti shines with its immediate impact and less restrictive mana cost.
Examining these cards’ abilities and uses is essential for deck building strategies in Magic: The Gathering. Fiend of the Shadows may require a more dedicated setup to optimize its potential, whereas cards like Gonti can be applied more flexibly. Each holds value in their capacity to turn an opponent’s strength into your leverage.
Cards similar to Fiend of the Shadows by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Fiend of the Shadows thrives on disrupting your opponent’s game plan by granting you access to their spells. It allows you to effectively gain card advantage by playing cards from your opponent’s hand, bringing you a step closer to victory while depleting their resources.
Resource Acceleration: Beyond tapping into your opponent’s deck, when Fiend of the shadows connects with opponents, it fosters resource acceleration by potentially providing additional spells to cast. This can turn the tide in your favor by utilizing the opponent’s resources against them.
Instant Speed: While the Fiend itself may not be cast at instant speed, its ability to use the stolen cards does operate at instant speed. This facet of its mechanic allows for strategic plays during any phase of the game, keeping your adversaries on their toes and unable to predict your next move.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: For Fiend of the Shadows, capturing a card from an opponent comes with a stipulation: you must discard that card if Fiend of the Shadows ever leaves the battlefield. This means any advantage can be quickly nullified if your opponent has a removal ready, potentially leading to a disadvantageous card trade-off.
Specific Mana Cost: Requiring two black mana in its casting cost, Fiend of the Shadows is heavily aligned with the black mana archetype. This restricts the card’s flexibility in multi-color decks and can be a considerable drawback in formats where mana consistency is a challenge.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a cost of three generic and two black mana, Fiend of the Shadows leans on the expensive side for its power and toughness. Comparable creatures in this mana range tend to offer more impactful abilities or stronger board presence, putting Fiend of the Shadows in a tough spot when competing for a slot in your deck.
Reasons to Include Fiend of the Shadows in Your Collection
Versatility: Fiend of the Shadows offers flexibility for decks that capitalize on creature control and card advantage strategies. Its ability to fly over defenses and provide hand information makes it a viable option in various gameplay scenarios.
Combo Potential: This card shines when paired with sac outlets or reanimation tactics. Its theft ability allows for strategic planning and execution of game-changing combos by utilizing opponents’ cards.
Meta-Relevance: In a game climate where players have powerful hands, Fiend of the Shadows can be crucial in disrupting their plans. It can serve as both a threat and a resource, staying relevant as the meta shifts and evolves.
How to Beat
Fiend of the Shadows brings a unique strategy to the battlefield in the realm of MTG. This creature introduces a dynamic of hand disruption and potential card advantage that can be quite challenging to deal with. The key to dismantling its effectiveness lies in limiting its abilities to connect with a player. Shielding oneself with instant-speed removal options such as Path to Exile or Fatal Push can be crucial in preempting the Fiend’s attack and thus, its subsequent ability to pilfer cards from an opponent’s hand.
Furthermore, since Fiend of the Shadows thrives on vampire synergy, dismantling vampire-centric mechanics through graveyard manipulation with cards like Rest in Peace or Grafdigger’s Cage can greatly diminish its impact. It’s also noteworthy to keep creature control cards handy. Board wipes, like Supreme Verdict, can reset the field if Fiend of the Shadows and its vampire allies start to overrun the board.
Overall, countering Fiend of the Shadows necessitates a pro-active stance, one where removal and disruption are timed well and executed swiftly to ensure that this shadowy creature doesn’t get the upper hand in your MTG matchups.
BurnMana Recommendations
Understanding the intricate mechanics of MTG is crucial for every aspiring deck builder. Fiend of the Shadows holds a spot in this complex puzzle and may just be the piece that completes your game plan. The card’s ability to disrupt, accelerate, and operate dynamically in play is something that can’t be overlooked. Learning to harness such power can create memorable and strategic plays. Whether you’re investigating new combos, analyzing meta shifts, or simply seeking ways to enhance your deck, considering Fiend of the Shadows could be quite rewarding. Dive deeper with us for insights and tips on mastering its abilities and securing your next victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Fiend of the Shadows MTG card by a specific set like Dark Ascension and Forgotten Realms Commander, 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 Fiend of the Shadows and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
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- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
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- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
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Printings
The Fiend of the Shadows Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2012-02-03 and 2021-07-23. Illustrated by Igor Kieryluk.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2012-02-03 | Dark Ascension | DKA | 62 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Igor Kieryluk | |
| 2 | 2021-07-23 | Forgotten Realms Commander | AFC | 99 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Igor Kieryluk |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Fiend of the Shadows has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Fiend of the Shadows card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2011-01-22 | As long as the card remains exiled, you may still play it, even if Fiend of the Shadows leaves the battlefield or changes controllers. |
| 2011-01-22 | If this creature deals combat damage to multiple players simultaneously, perhaps because some combat damage was redirected, its ability will trigger for each of those players. |
| 2011-01-22 | Playing a card exiled with Fiend of the Shadows follows all the normal rules for playing that card. You must pay its costs, and you must follow all timing restrictions, for example. |
| 2011-01-22 | You may only play the card, meaning play it as a land or cast it as a spell. It's not in your hand. You can't discard it, activate its cycling abilities, and so on. |