Shinewend MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Elemental
Abilities	Flying
Released	2008-02-01
Set symbol
Set name	Morningtide
Set code	MOR
Power	0
Toughness	0
Number	23
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Terese Nielsen

Key Takeaways

Enables drawing cards regularly, optimizing creature-based and enchantment strategies for consistent card advantage.
Boosts resource acceleration by exploiting creature bounce mechanics, enhancing battlefield and cast effects.
Operates at instant speed for strategic flexibility, keeping mana available for urgent plays or responses.

Text of card

Flying Shinewend comes into play with a +1/+1 counter on it. , Remove a +1/+1 counter from Shinewend: Destroy target enchantment.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Shinewend offers a repeatable way to draw cards when needed. By returning it to your hand and recasting it, you can consistently put more cards in your hand over the course of the game. This can be particularly beneficial in decks that revolve around creature-based strategies or enchantment synergies where drawing an additional card can mean finding the key piece for your combo or strategy.

Resource Acceleration: This card facilitates resource acceleration by harnessing the power of creature bounce mechanics. When combined with cards that grant benefits upon creatures entering the battlefield or when creatures are cast, Shinewend can help to amplify those effects, thus potentially accelerating your access to valuable resources or pivotal game states.

Instant Speed: While Shinewend itself may not be an instant, its ability to return to your hand at instant speed offers flexibility. You can wait until the end of your opponent’s turn to decide whether to bring Shinewend back, allowing you to keep mana open for other critical plays and respond more effectively to your opponent’s actions without committing your resources prematurely.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Shinewend necessitates a card to be discarded for it to be played. This can be burdensome in situations where card advantage is critical or when your hand is already stretched thin due to other demands in the game.

Specific Mana Cost: Shinewend’s cost includes white mana, making it inherently less flexible. Decks not running white or with a strained mana base may find it difficult to reliably cast Shinewend on curve.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a cost that may appear steep relative to its immediate impact on the game, Shinewend may lag behind other options available to players seeking cost-efficient creatures or cards that offer immediate board presence or utility.

Reasons to Include Shinewend in Your Collection

Versatility: Shinewend offers adaptability to a variety of deck archetypes. Primarily fitting in with decks that focus on +1/+1 counters or those requiring targeted creature removal, its ability to be recurred from the graveyard by discarding a card increases its utility in drawn-out games.

Combo Potential: With this card, savvy players see an avenue for combos involving +1/+1 counters. Shinewend can work harmoniously with proliferate mechanics or other counter-doubling effects, turning it into a repeatable source of creature control or a growing threat your opponent can’t ignore.

Meta-Relevance: In a metagame where small creatures dominate or where maintaining board control is paramount, Shinewend slips into that niche perfectly. It can persistently handle utility creatures that are central to your opponent’s strategy, thus disrupting their game plan effectively.

How to beat

Shinewend is a unique MTG card known for its flexibility in the battlefield. This card, with its flying ability, can be a persistent thorn in an opponent’s side. What sets Shinewend apart is its ability to accrue +1/+1 counters, which it can then remove to destroy target enchantment. Not all creatures boast such a versatile mechanic, which can be both offensive and disruptive.

To effectively counter Shinewend, one must consider its strengths: its evasiveness and enchantment removal capability. Using cards that can handle flying creatures, such as reach or cards with “can block creatures with flying,” becomes crucial. Spot removal spells that can bypass Shinewend’s growth like Fatal Push or Path to Exile are strategic choices. Additionally, instant-speed removals work best to thwart mid-combat growth or enchantment destruction tricks.

In essence, dealing with Shinewend involves a mix of preparedness and timing. Keeping removals at the ready, managing enchantments wisely, and minimizing the opportunities for Shinewend to swing the momentum in your opponent’s favor are key strategies in maintaining the upper hand against this versatile MTG card.

Cards like Shinewend

Shinewend is an intriguing creature within the realm of Magic: The Gathering. It stands next to cards like Serrated Arrows for its ability to dole out -1/-1 counters. Shinewend, however, also carries a unique mechanic; it can gain flying for a single white mana. Serrated Arrows lacks the dynamic utility of becoming a flying threat and does not possess the recursive nature of Shinewend, as it has no such built-in option to recur itself from the graveyard.

Sharing the battlefield, Festering Mummy presents another similar ability, placing -1/-1 counters upon death. While it’s a one-time use compared to Shinewend’s renewable ability, it comes at a lower cost and the counters are placed immediately upon its demise. Conversely, the flying capability of Shinewend gives it an advantage in terms of maneuverability and potential repetitive use throughout the game.

Focusing on the toolset and adaptability in gameplay, Shinewend provides a certain flexibility that can be pivotal in numerous situations. Its prowess in serving both as a flying attacker or blocker and a source of continual -1/-1 counter distribution solidifies its position as a card worth considering in MTG strategies that capitalize on weakening opponents’ creatures.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Shinewend MTG card by a specific set like Morningtide, 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 Shinewend and other MTG cards: