Cephalid Inkshrouder MTG Card


Cephalid Inkshrouder - Judgment
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Cephalid
Released2002-05-27
Set symbol
Set nameJudgment
Set codeJUD
Power 2
Toughness 1
Number36
Frame1997
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byTony Szczudlo

Key Takeaways

  1. Allows rapid deck cycling to find strategy components faster, maintaining an in-game advantage.
  2. Activating its abilities at instant speed provides surprise tactics and game flexibility.
  3. Mana cost and discard requirement necessitate strategic hand and deck management.

Text of card

Discard a card from your hand: Cephalid Inkshrouder can't be the target of spells or abilities and is unblockable this turn.

Cephalids shrink from the harsh glare of scrutiny.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Cephalid Inkshrouder allows players to cycle through their decks rapidly by discarding a card to activate its ability. This can lead to finding key components of a player’s strategy faster, helping maintain an edge over opponents.

Resource Acceleration: While the card itself doesn’t provide traditional mana acceleration, its ability to protect important creatures can effectively accelerate your board state. By ensuring your key creatures survive, you maintain your resources and pave the way to apply continuous pressure on the opponent without the need for additional setup.

Instant Speed: The Cephalid Inkshrouder’s ability can be activated at instant speed, offering flexibility and making it a formidable tool for surprise tactics. This means you can wait until the most opportune moment during a match to utilize its ability, whether that’s in response to a removal spell or when you’re about to launch an unexpected attack.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Engaging with Cephalid Inkshrouder often necessitates parting with a card from your hand which can be quite the hurdle when playing from behind or if your hand size is already depleted. This requirement can sometimes turn this otherwise resourceful creature into a costly venture, particularly in games where card advantage is crucial.

Specific Mana Cost: The Inkshrouder demands a precise mana mix to hit the board – two blue mana alongside a generic one. This mana arrangement means that its home is predominantly in blue-focused decks, which can be a stumbling block for players wanting to integrate it into a multicolored strategy without sufficient mana fixing.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana, the Inkshrouder’s investment is considerable when weighed against its utility. In the landscape of competitive play where efficiency is key, this can often overshadow its benefits, particularly when faster, less mana-intensive options are on the table. While the ability to grant shroud can be useful, it is essential to evaluate if the mana could be allocated towards a more impactful play.


Reasons to Include Cephalid Inkshrouder in Your Collection

Versatility: Cephalid Inkshrouder offers flexible options for any deck that values creature protection and evasion. Its ability to grant shroud and unblockable to a creature ensures your key creatures survive and connect with the opponent.

Combo Potential: This card’s discard ability pairs well with strategies that benefit from cards hitting the graveyard. Unleash powerful plays by enabling graveyard synergies or reanimation tactics within your deck.

Meta-Relevance: In a game environment where targeted removal spells are prevalent, Cephalid Inkshrouder gains extra value. Its skill set is well-suited to protect your creatures from spot removal, making it highly relevant in such metas.


How to beat

Cephalid Inkshrouder is a unique card that poses a challenge for many players due to its ability to grant itself or another creature shroud until end of turn at the mere cost of discarding a card. This can be problematic, especially when you’re aiming to target the creature with removal spells or abilities. To effectively overcome this obstacle, you’ll need to think beyond direct removal. Board wipes, which do not target individual creatures, can bypass the protective shroud, thereby clearing the path for your strategy. Consider spells such as Wrath of God or Supreme Verdict, which eliminate all creatures indiscriminately and leave no room for the Cephalid’s ability to intervene.

Alternatively, strategies involving counterspells or hand disruption can prove effective, cutting off the Cephalid’s abilities before they can be activated. Utilize Thoughtseize or Counterspell to disrupt your opponent’s hand or counter key spells, ultimately denying the setup this creature needs. Also, playing around the Cephalid’s schedule can be crucial. Since the ability is activated, waiting for the right moment when your opponent is low on cards can make it harder for them to protect their creatures. Timing is everything when dealing with elusive threats like the Cephalid Inkshrouder.


Cards like Cephalid Inkshrouder

The Cephalid Inkshrouder is a unique card that serves specific roles within Magic: The Gathering’s vast array of creature cards. It has elements similar to other cards like Aquamoeba, which also allows you to discard a card to alter its presence on the battlefield—Aquamoeba gains power while the Inkshrouder grants itself shroud and unblockable until end of turn. While this provides a strong offensive advantage, it’s also a defensive tactic not commonly seen in blue creature cards.

Another card sharing a semblance with the Inkshrouder is Wharf Infiltrator. The Infiltrator partly incorporates the discard mechanism as well, enabling you to filter through your deck and may additionally provide a token creature. However, it doesn’t offer the same immediate protection or evasion that Cephalid Inkshrouder does.

Considering everything, the Cephalid Inkshrouder stands out in the crowd. With its unique combination of self-protection and tactical advantages, it carves out its own niche in blue strategies, especially those centric around creature abilities and combat manipulation.

Aquamoeba - MTG Card versions
Wharf Infiltrator - MTG Card versions
Aquamoeba - Torment (TOR)
Wharf Infiltrator - Eldritch Moon (EMN)

Cards similar to Cephalid Inkshrouder by color, type and mana cost

Wall of Water - MTG Card versions
Prodigal Sorcerer - MTG Card versions
Apprentice Wizard - MTG Card versions
Homarid - MTG Card versions
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Rootwater Shaman - MTG Card versions
Wind Drake - MTG Card versions
Volrath's Shapeshifter - MTG Card versions
Stronghold Biologist - MTG Card versions
Quicksilver Wall - MTG Card versions
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Wormfang Drake - MTG Card versions
Animating Faerie // Bring to Life - MTG Card versions
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Grazilaxx, Illithid Scholar - MTG Card versions
Queen of Ice // Rage of Winter - MTG Card versions
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Horned Turtle - MTG Card versions
Wall of Water - Limited Edition Alpha (LEA)
Prodigal Sorcerer - Unlimited Edition (2ED)
Apprentice Wizard - The Dark (DRK)
Homarid - Fallen Empires (FEM)
Daring Apprentice - Mirage (MIR)
Time Elemental - Fifth Edition (5ED)
Rootwater Shaman - Tempest (TMP)
Wind Drake - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Volrath's Shapeshifter - Stronghold (STH)
Stronghold Biologist - Nemesis (NEM)
Quicksilver Wall - Prophecy (PCY)
Wall of Air - Seventh Edition (7ED)
Phantom Warrior - Duels of the Planeswalkers (DPA)
Wormfang Drake - Judgment (JUD)
Animating Faerie // Bring to Life - Throne of Eldraine (ELD)
Ghost of Ramirez DePietro - Commander Legends (CMR)
Grazilaxx, Illithid Scholar - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Queen of Ice // Rage of Winter - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Mistform Warchief - Scourge (SCG)
Horned Turtle - Eighth Edition (8ED)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Cephalid Inkshrouder MTG card by a specific set like Judgment, 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 Cephalid Inkshrouder and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Cephalid Inkshrouder has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

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