Black Poplar Shaman MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Treefolk Shaman
Released	2007-10-12
Set symbol
Set name	Lorwyn
Set code	LRW
Power	1
Toughness	3
Number	99
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Mark Poole

Key Takeaways

Shaman’s instant speed activation can protect creatures, providing a tactical edge over opponents during their turns.
While offering resilience, its ability requires discarding a card, which may deplete valuable hand resources.
Versatile in creature-focused decks, Black Poplar Shaman is a defensive asset in meta dominated by removal.

Text of card

: Regenerate target Treefolk.

It absorbs the pain of other treefolk, which leaves it bitter, yet addicted to the sensation of agony.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Black Poplar Shaman is adept at offering you card resilience. When utilized in the correct deck, such as one that synergizes with Shaman or Warrior types, it can protect key creatures from removal, effectively negating opponents’ attempts to dwindle your resources.

Resource Acceleration: Although Black Poplar Shaman doesn’t directly ramp your mana, its ability to safeguard your creatures ensures that you maintain battlefield presence. This continued presence can be considered a form of indirect resource acceleration as it keeps your army intact, allowing you to capitalize on other elements of your strategic plays without the set back of losing creatures.

Instant Speed: The Shaman’s ability works at instant speed, which is a significant tactical advantage. You can activate it during your opponent’s turn, which adds a layer of complexity to their decision-making. The threat of activation at any time makes your opponent reconsider eliminating your creatures, giving you a psychological edge in the game.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Black Poplar Shaman requires the player to discard another card in order to activate its ability. This can be a significant downside when you are running low on cards in hand, potentially leaving you at a disadvantage in terms of resources compared to your opponent.

Specific Mana Cost: The activation cost of Black Poplar Shaman’s ability is specific to black mana. This can be restrictive as it demands a certain type of mana base and can be challenging to accommodate in multicolored decks, thereby limiting its versatility across various deck archetypes.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its activation cost and the mana required to cast Black Poplar Shaman itself, the total mana investment can be considered high for its defensive ability. In an environment where mana efficiency is key, there may be more cost-effective options available to protect your creatures or advance your game plan.

Reasons to Include Black Poplar Shaman in Your Collection

Versatility: Black Poplar Shaman finds a place in various deck builds, primarily those that stand to benefit from its ability to protect key creatures. As a defensive tool, it helps maintain board presence by safeguarding your valuable tribal elements, particularly in Shaman-centric strategies.

Combo Potential: This clever shaman can be a linchpin in combos that revolve around targeted creature abilities. It works seamlessly within decks that exploit creatures entering or leaving the battlefield, providing an engine for some ingenious and potentially game-winning interactions.

Meta-Relevance: With certain metagames focusing on removal-heavy strategies, Black Poplar Shaman’s protective capacity shines. It’s a card that can consistently tilt the tides by preserving crucial threats, making it a prudent choice for collection and play in these environments.

How to beat

Black Poplar Shaman represents a unique card in MTG known for its ability to repeatedly regenerate target Treefolk creatures you control. It may not compare directly to the standard removal spells, yet it can frustrate opponents by effectively nullifying their attempts to destroy your Treefolk. Unlike spot removal spells like Doom Blade or creature swap effects like Act of Treason, Black Poplar Shaman doesn’t offer a one-time solution but a persistent defensive utility.

One strategy to overcome Black Poplar Shaman’s regeneration shield is through cards that exile or offer -X/-X effects, as regeneration cannot save a creature from being put into a graveyard for having 0 toughness. An example is Path to Exile, which completely removes the creature without triggering the regeneration clause. Another solution is to use board wipes like Damnation, which also circumvent the Shaman’s ability by not specifically ‘destroying’ creatures but rather changing the state of the game board entirely.

In essence, while Black Poplar Shaman provides resilience for Treefolk enthusiasts, knowing the right counters and understanding how its abilities work is crucial to outmaneuvering this persistent shaman and maintaining the upper hand in your MTG matches.

Cards like Black Poplar Shaman

Black Poplar Shaman serves a unique role in the realm of creature protection in MTG. It bears a resemblance to cards like Golem Artisan, which also offers defensive capabilities, but through a different mechanic. Black Poplar Shaman focuses on regenerating target Treefolk, which is a specific creature type. The shaman requires no mana for its ability but demands a card to be sacrificed for the regeneration process.

Contrasting Black Poplar Shaman is Whisperwood Elemental. While the Elemental doesn’t regenerate creatures, it does protect them by manifesting the top card of your library as a 2/2 creature. Another kin in terms of safeguarding is the Selfless Spirit, which doesn’t target a single creature type but rather provides a blanket effect by sacrificing itself to grant indestructibility to your creatures for a turn.

In evaluating their roles in MTG, Black Poplar Shaman stands out amongst peers for its targeted protection, specifically curated for Treefolk allies. Its ability can repeatedly save a key creature from destruction, albeit at a cost. This pinpoint safeguarding can be a strategic advantage for decks centered around Treefolk synergies.

Whisperwood Elemental - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Black Poplar Shaman by color, type and mana cost

Mischievous Poltergeist - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Black Poplar Shaman MTG card by a specific set like Lorwyn, 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 Black Poplar Shaman and other MTG cards: