Mistblade Shinobi MTG Card


Enables card advantage by returning opponents’ creatures to their hand, disrupting tempo and gameplay strategy. Ninjutsu provides surprise tactical flexibility at instant speed, integral for optimal combat maneuvers and board control. Demands careful deck construction due to color-specific mana requirements and potential high activation costs.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Human Ninja
Abilities Ninjutsu
Power 1
Toughness 1

Text of card

Ninjutsu (, Return an unblocked attacker you control to hand: Put this card into play from your hand tapped and attacking.) Whenever Mistblade Shinobi deals combat damage to a player, you may return target creature that player controls to its owner's hand.


Cards like Mistblade Shinobi

Mistblade Shinobi stands out in the realm of utility creatures in Magic: The Gathering due to its unique ability to return a creature to its owner’s hand when it deals combat damage to a player. This ability can be similarly found in cards like Ninja of the Deep Hours, though the latter offers the bonus of drawing a card upon dealing damage. Comparatively, Mistblade Shinobi excels with its lower casting cost, making it a quintessential pick for early game strategy and tempo plays.

Another notable card for comparison is Azorius Justiciar, which also impacts the board by detaining up to two target creatures. However, it doesn’t provide the recurring flexibility Mistblade Shinobi offers through Ninjutsu, a mechanic that allows you to sneak it onto the battlefield. While Azorius Justiciar can influence the battlefield in a single grand gesture, Mistblade Shinobi allows for repeated use, potentially setting back the opponent’s game plan multiple times throughout the match.

In essence, Mistblade Shinobi holds its place in Magic: The Gathering as an efficient tool for disrupting opponent strategies, blending well in decks that prioritize control and tempo, and offering repeatable value each time it connects with the opponent.

Ninja of the Deep Hours - MTG Card versions
Azorius Justiciar - MTG Card versions
Ninja of the Deep Hours - MTG Card versions
Azorius Justiciar - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Mistblade Shinobi by color, type and mana cost

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Wall of Water - MTG Card versions
Prodigal Sorcerer - MTG Card versions
Apprentice Wizard - MTG Card versions
Homarid - MTG Card versions
Daring Apprentice - MTG Card versions
Time Elemental - MTG Card versions
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
Wall of Air - MTG Card versions
Phantom Warrior - MTG Card versions
Wormfang Drake - MTG Card versions
Animating Faerie // Bring to Life - MTG Card versions
Ghost of Ramirez DePietro - MTG Card versions
Grazilaxx, Illithid Scholar - MTG Card versions
Queen of Ice // Rage of Winter - MTG Card versions
Mistform Warchief - MTG Card versions
Horned Turtle - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Mistblade Shinobi lets you return a creature an opponent controls to their hand when it deals combat damage, indirectly contributing to card advantage. It can disrupt your opponent’s board and tempo, often leading to them having to spend an additional turn replaying the same creature.

Resource Acceleration: While the Mistblade Shinobi itself doesn’t directly generate mana or ramp, the efficiency of its Ninjutsu cost can free up mana resources. For only two mana—one blue and one generic—you can sneak it onto the battlefield, thereby saving mana for other actions or spells within the same turn.

Instant Speed: The power of the Mistblade Shinobi is in the element of surprise due to its Ninjutsu ability. This ability can be activated at instant speed, offering tactical flexibility when attacking with an unblocked creature. This enables you to wait until the optimal moment to swap in the Mistblade Shinobi and potentially disrupt your opponent’s strategy.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Mistblade Shinobi provides a solid bounce effect, it demands a card be returned to your hand, requiring you to have a creature to pick up, which might not always be advantageous or even possible.

Specific Mana Cost: Mistblade Shinobi calls for both generic and blue mana, which could restrict its integration into multicolored or colorless deck archetypes, potentially hindering deck-building flexibility.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With three mana needed for a Ninja with merely one power, Mistblade Shinobi’s activation cost might feel steep given the variety of other lower-cost creatures or more impactful ninjas available in the format.


Reasons to Include Mistblade Shinobi in Your Collection

Versatility: Mistblade Shinobi offers flexibility in gameplay, fitting seamlessly into rogue or ninja-themed decks. The card’s ability to return creatures to an opponent’s hand makes it a tactical option against numerous creature strategies.

Combo Potential: When paired with cards that enable ninjutsu or those that benefit from bouncing effects, Mistblade Shinobi becomes a key piece in powerful combos, disrupting your opponent’s board while developing your own.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where creature-based decks are prevalent, Mistblade Shinobi excels. Its ninjutsu ability provides a surprise factor and utility that can pivot the direction of the game, making it a relevant addition in dynamic metas.


How to beat

Mistblade Shinobi emerges as an intriguing component within the extensive roster of MTG creatures, especially within the Ninja archetype. It possesses a unique ability that can return target creature an opponent controls to their hand when it deals combat damage to a player. This ability not only disrupts your opponent’s board state but also can pave the way for additional attacks.

To counteract Mistblade Shinobi, it’s critical to fortify your defenses and maintain vigilance. Cards that grant your creatures hexproof or shroud can prevent Mistblade Shinobi from targeting them. Moreover, keeping up instant-speed removal allows you to eliminate the Shinobi before it can activate its ability. Alternatively, employing creatures with reach or that can block multiple creatures ensures protection from Ninja-enabling unblocked attackers. Lastly, since Mistblade Shinobi relies on being unblocked, strategies that involve clearing the path of blockers or counterspelling its Ninjutsu activation can serve as effective remediation.

Efficiently navigating through such strategic choices not only underscores your adaptability in matches but also demonstrates a deep understanding of the game dynamics. As with most strategies in MTG, timing and board state awareness become key in outmaneuvering the abilities of cards like Mistblade Shinobi.


BurnMana Recommendations

Dive deeper into the strategic world of MTG with the intriguing abilities of Mistblade Shinobi. Its knack for disrupting opponent’s plays and the surprise element of its Ninjutsu gets you ahead in the tempo game. But the journey doesn’t stop there—adopt versatile tactics, discover potent combinations, and challenge prevailing metas to come out on top. With our analysis, you’re equipped to refine your gameplay and embrace the Shinobi’s strengths. Whether you’re thwarting creatures or seeking to innovate your deck, let us guide you towards triumph. Take the next step in your MTG adventure, learn more with us and claim your victories.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Mistblade Shinobi MTG card by a specific set like Betrayers of Kamigawa and Salvat 2005, 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 Mistblade Shinobi and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Mistblade Shinobi Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2005-02-04 and 2016-11-25. Illustrated by Kev Walker.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12005-02-04Betrayers of KamigawaBOK 432003NormalBlackKev Walker
22005-08-22Salvat 2005PSAL E292003NormalWhiteKev Walker
32012-06-01Planechase 2012PC2 202003NormalBlackKev Walker
42016-11-25Planechase AnthologyPCA 202015NormalBlackKev Walker

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Mistblade Shinobi has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal