Shadow Guildmage MTG Card
1996-10-08 - Number 140
1997-08-13 - Number js140
2006-10-06 - Number 46
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Human Wizard |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
o U, oc T: Put target creature you control on top of owner's library. o R, oc T: Shadow Guildmage deals 1 damage to target creature or player and 1 damage to you.
To keep the dead so others may live. —Shadow Guild maxim
Cards like Shadow Guildmage
Shadow Guildmage is a unique creature card in the MTG universe, closely bearing resemblance to other guildmages across different Ravnica sets. Like its counterparts, the Shadow Guildmage offers versatility, giving players the ability to choose between two abilities to manipulate the game state. This compares with cards such as the Izzet Guildmage which also provides dual activated abilities tailored to different situations.
Another card that comes to mind is Blistercoil Weird, which, like Shadow Guildmage, can be a powerful piece in spell-focused decks. Although it doesn’t provide the tactical control over the battlefield that the Shadow Guildmage does, it compensates with the potential to grow stronger quickly with every instant or sorcery played. Contrasting that, the Rakdos Guildmage offers similar flexibility but leans towards creating creature tokens and dealing direct damage rather than the subtle board control that Shadow Guildmage excels in.
Evaluating these comparisons, Shadow Guildmage stands out as a card that supports a thoughtful and strategic playstyle, giving players the means to control creatures and chip away at opponents’ life, qualities that are valued in MTG’s multifaceted gameplay.
Cards similar to Shadow Guildmage by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Shadow Guildmage card stands out by offering utility that can potentially disrupt your opponent’s strategy, while at the same time providing a way to cycle through your deck. This can lead to pulling ahead in resources over the course of a match.
Resource Acceleration: With Shadow Guildmage’s ability to untap a target creature, it grants a form of pseudo-resource acceleration. It can effectively provide an additional blocker or enable another use of a creature’s tap ability within a single turn cycle, significantly enhancing your board presence and resource utility.
Instant Speed: The versatility of Shadow Guildmage shines at instant speed, allowing reactive play to your opponent’s actions. Whether it’s saving a creature from harm or unexpectedly neutralizing an opponent’s threat, the ability to act during either player’s turn adds a layer of strategic advantage in your gameplay.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: For Shadow Guildmage, activating its pivotal ability necessitates the player to discard a card. While this can be part of strategic play, it could also be seen as a drawback when your hand is already running low, depriving you of vital gameplay options.
Specific Mana Cost: Shadow Guildmage’s abilities require a specific blend of mana, including both black and red. This can hamper its inclusion in multi-colored decks that may not always have the precise mana readily available, thus potentially causing delays or restrictions in your strategy.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: When evaluating the overall cost-effectiveness of Shadow Guildmage’s abilities, some players might find the combined mana cost relatively steep, especially when there are other cards in the realm of MTG that can provide similar effects or can be more synergistic with deck strategies at a lower mana investment.
Reasons to Include Shadow Guildmage in Your Collection
Versatility: Shadow Guildmage offers a unique set of abilities that can be easily adapted to various deck archetypes, particularly in strategies focusing on manipulating creatures and the stack.
Combo Potential: This card has synergy possibilities with decks that capitalize on tapping or untapping creatures. It’s adept at triggering enter-the-battlefield effects or can be paired with other cards to create control-centred combos.
Meta-Relevance: As the game’s landscape changes, having a flexible card like Shadow Guildmage means you’re well-equipped to handle an array of matchups. Its ability to disrupt opponent’s creatures or swing games by recouping life makes it a compelling choice against certain meta decks.
How to Beat Shadow Guildmage
Shadow Guildmage commands attention with its versatile abilities, standing as a useful card for control in MTG. With options to either deal damage or stymie an attacker, it offers players strategic flexibility. To counteract this tactical asset, players should consider removing it quickly from the board. Efficient removal spells that can bypass its potential to untap, such as Fatal Push or Path to Exile, are prime choices for dealing with Shadow Guildmage before it can fully leverage its abilities or become a recurring nuisance.
Maintaining a watchful eye on mana availability is crucial as well. Shadow Guildmage requires mana to utilize its abilities, hence restricting the opponent’s mana pool limits its effectiveness. This can be achieved through counter spells or denying resources, effectively neutralizing Shadow Guildmage’s impact on the game. Additionally, having creatures with hexproof or shroud can serve as a safeguard, as Shadow Guildmage’s targeted ability becomes null against such protected creatures.
Ultimately, with the right strategy and preparedness, players can mitigate the threats posed by Shadow Guildmage, ensuring it doesn’t become a disruptive force in their game plan.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Shadow Guildmage MTG card by a specific set like Mirage and World Championship Decks 1997, 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 Shadow Guildmage and other MTG cards:
BUY NOW BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Printings
The Shadow Guildmage Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 1996-10-08 and 2006-10-06. Illustrated by Mike Kimble.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1996-10-08 | Mirage | MIR | 140 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Mike Kimble | |
| 2 | 1997-08-13 | World Championship Decks 1997 | WC97 | js140 | 1997 | Normal | Gold | Mike Kimble | |
| 3 | 2006-10-06 | Time Spiral Timeshifted | TSB | 46 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Mike Kimble |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Shadow Guildmage has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |