Reach of Shadows MTG Card

Instantly removes crucial non-black creatures, shifting game momentum in your favor. It fits well in mono-black or black-centric decks due to specific mana costs. At five mana cost, other cheaper removals could be considered, depending on strategy.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	5
Rarity	Common
Type	Instant
Released	2015-01-23
Set symbol
Set name	Fate Reforged
Set code	FRF
Number	81
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Daarken

Text of card

Destroy target creature that's one or more colors.

"Is it better to be a fool or a coward? Fools may get things done occasionally, but cowards live longer." —Ghelesh Shadowmane, rakshasa mage

Cards like Reach of Shadows

Reach of Shadows is an intriguing Magic: The Gathering card that finds its place within the realm of creature removal spells. It shares some common ground with the likes of Doom Blade, which is also a black spell designed to destroy creatures. While Doom Blade can swiftly eliminate non-black creatures for less mana, Reach of Shadows has a broader reach, pun intended, as it can destroy target creatures that are monocolored, without restriction to black.

Another comparable card is Murder. Both cards eliminate almost any creature in the game, but Murder doesn’t discriminate based on color; it simply does the job for an extra mana. However, it’s the conditional aspect of Reach of Shadows against monocolored creatures that can be either a benefit or a downside depending on the opponent’s deck composition. Ultimate Price also enters the fray with efficiency, being cheaper but limited to only creatures with a single color of mana in their cost.

While evaluating removal options, players need to consider mana efficiency and versatility. Reach of Shadows offers a unique balance, handling a vast array of creatures at an intermediate mana cost. This makes it a dependable choice, especially in formats with a prevalence of monocolored creatures.

Cards similar to Reach of Shadows by color, type and mana cost

Death of a Thousand Stings - MTG Card versions

Rescue from the Underworld - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Reach of Shadows lets you remove a key target from play, potentially stripping your opponent of a powerful creature and improving your own position on the battlefield. This can swing the momentum of the game in your favor as your opponent loses a valuable asset.

Resource Acceleration: Although Reach of Shadows doesn’t directly accelerate resources, strategically removing a creature can indirectly affect the resources by disrupting your opponent’s board presence and planned strategies, leading to a more favorable game state for you.

Instant Speed: Its instant speed is a significant tactical advantage. You can wait to see how your opponent’s turn unfolds before deciding to cast it, giving you the flexibility to react to their moves and possibly catching them off-guard. Instant speed removal also allows you to better manage your mana each turn, keeping your options open until the most advantageous moment arises.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One of the drawbacks when playing with Reach of Shadows is that there’s no actual discard requirement associated with this card. While this might seem advantageous, the lack of this mechanic means you miss out on potential synergy with decks designed around discard strategies.

Specific Mana Cost: This removal spell has a designated mana cost that requires black mana. This specificity can lead to challenges in mana flexibility, making it a less attractive option in multicolored decks that may not always have the required black mana sources available when needed.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of five mana, Reach of Shadows can be a bit costly compared to other removal options available in the game. Cheaper alternatives might provide similar effects, potentially causing Reach of Shadows to be a less economical choice in terms of mana efficiency.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Reach of Shadows is a flexible removal option, capable of targeting nearly any creature that has become a thorn in your side. As it can handle problematic multicolored creatures that some other removal spells can’t touch, it’s a great fit for a variety of Black-focused decks seeking a reliable answer to opponents’ threats.

Combo Potential: While not a traditional combo enabler, Reach of Shadows can pave the way for your own creature-based combos to close out the game unhindered. Removing a blocker or a creature with a troublesome ability can be just the opening your strategy needs to execute its winning moves.

Meta-Relevance: In a game that often revolves around the presence and power of formidable creatures, Reach of Shadows holds its value by being an answer to the toughest creatures on the board. With the ever-shifting dynamics of tabletop and online play, having such a card in your arsenal ensures you’re prepared for the widest range of opposing decks.

How to beat

Reach of Shadows is a card that often figures into strategies when players are faced with creatures boasting powerful abilities or pesky keywords. It’s a black instant spell allowing you to target and destroy a non-black creature without the possibility of regeneration, which can be quite pivotal in disrupting your opponent’s board presence. To counter this card effectively, there are a few strategies one might employ.

Firstly, consider diversifying your battlefield with creatures of varying colors, including black ones, as Reach of Shadows can’t touch them. This will render the spell less effective and possibly a dead card in your opponent’s hand. Another approach is to utilize spells or abilities to give your creatures hexproof or shroud, shielding them from being targeted by any spells, including Reach of Shadows. This can be achieved through cards like Swiftfoot Boots or spells such as Blossoming Defense.

In a meta where such removal spells are prevalent, it might also be beneficial to have creature cards with an enter the battlefield effect or death triggers. This way, even if your creatures fall prey to Reach of Shadows, you can still get value out of them. Lastly, keeping countermagic in hand to negate your opponent’s spells is always an effective tactic against single-target removal. Therefore, a well-rounded strategy is key to outmaneuvering the reach of such targeted destruction.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Reach of Shadows MTG card by a specific set like Fate Reforged, 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 Reach of Shadows and other MTG cards:

BUY NOW
BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Reach of Shadows has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Penny	Legal