Shadow of Mortality MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost15
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Avatar
Power 7
Toughness 7

Key Takeaways

  1. Card advantage is key, as Shadow of Mortality offers strategic value by stashing cards for future turns.
  2. Its instant speed gameplay enhances flexibility, allowing players to adapt and respond effectively during games.
  3. The card’s discard requirement and specific mana cost may limit its versatility within multicolored decks.

Text of card

If your life total is less than your starting life total, this spell costs less to cast, where X is the difference.

"Build your towers as tall as you want. The shadow always reaches higher." —Message scrawled on an alley wall


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Shadow of Mortality is a valuable addition for players who seek to stay ahead in card resource. It offers a unique mechanic that allows you to stash away additional cards for future turns, increasing the likelihood of having the right answers and threats when needed.

Resource Acceleration: As a versatile card, Shadow of Mortality can contribute to resource acceleration by potentially lowering mana costs for certain strategies. This element is key for decks aiming to deploy high-impact plays earlier in the game, securing a positional advantage over opponents.

Instant Speed: The real strength of Shadow of Mortality lies in its ability to be played at instant speed, permitting players to adapt to the evolving game state. With the flexibility to respond to an opponent’s actions or end-of-turn decisions, it effectively broadens strategic options and enhances overall gameplay finesse.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Shadow of Mortality demands a card from your hand as part of its casting cost. This can become a strategic setback, especially if your hand is already depleted.

Specific Mana Cost: With its particular need for black mana, this card can be challenging to cast in a multicolored deck, potentially restricting its flexibility.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The investment required to play Shadow of Mortality may seem steep when evaluated against other options that provide similar benefits for a lower mana cost, potentially slowing down your game strategy.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Shadow of Mortality can seamlessly adapt to different play styles, offering flexibility for decks that thrive on graveyard synergy or life total manipulation. It’s an asset in formats where such strategies are prevalent.

Combo Potential: This card holds the potential to become a staple in combos, interacting with mechanics that trigger upon life loss or gain, or with those taking advantage of death triggers and reanimation schemes.

Meta-Relevance: As decks evolve and the meta shifts, having Shadow of Mortality can prepare you for battling against trends that capitalize on graveyard recursion or life-centered tactics, keeping your collection ready for what’s current.


How to Overcome the Shadow of Mortality

The Shadow of Mortality card presents a unique challenge on the battlefield. This particular card becomes an obstacle due to its imposing presence and its potential to disrupt your game plan. Dealing with this card requires a careful strategy and the right set of countermeasures. Recognizing its strengths is key to formulating an effective response.

One approach to beat Shadow of Mortality is to utilize removal spells that can take it out before its effects become too overwhelming. Cards like Murder or Path to Exile are perfect for dealing with such threats directly. Another tactic is to rely on counterspells, which can negate its casting altogether, preventing it from taking effect on the field. In addition, creatures that can bypass or neutralize abilities can be crucial in dealing with the Shadow of Mortality efficiently. Adjusting your play to be more aggressive or controlling can also swing the odds in your favor against this formidable foe.

Ultimately, overcoming Shadow of Mortality entails a combination of foresight, precision, and a well-constructed deck geared towards mitigating the threats it poses. With the right tools at your disposal, you can ensure that the Shadow of Mortality is nothing more than a fleeting presence on your path to victory.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering the game of MTG involves not just skill, but also an understanding of how to utilize powerful cards like Shadow of Mortality to your advantage. Whether you’re looking to enhance your card advantage, streamline your resource acceleration, or dominate with instant-speed plays, this card offers a suite of possibilities. If you are interested in fine-tuning your deck strategy or integrating new combos, considering the pros and cons of Shadow of Mortality is crucial. Embrace the full potential of this card by learning how to counteract its challenges and integrating it into your game plan. Dive deeper with us and add Shadow of Mortality to your arsenal for unwavering dominance in your matches.


Cards like Shadow of Mortality

Shadow of Mortality is an intriguing new addition to the vast library of creatures in Magic: The Gathering. It draws comparison to cards such as Serra Ascendant, sharing the transformative nature which becomes more powerful over time. Shadow of Mortality starts with a significant health deficit, similar to how Serra Ascendant gains power as you reach a higher life total. However, Shadow of Mortality has the unique twist of playing with life totals in a way that Serra Ascendant does not.

Another card that comes to mind when considering life-total impacting cards is Death’s Shadow, a creature that grows stronger as your life total decreases. Similarly, Shadow of Mortality arrives on the battlefield with potential for a massive swing in power, yet directly tied to the precarious position of having a low life total, presenting a high-risk, high-reward scenario. Nevertheless, unlike Death’s Shadow, it does not get smaller as your life total increases.

Overall, Shadow of Mortality offers MTG players a powerful yet balanced option, blending elements of risk with undeniable late-game potential, making it a compelling card for decks that manipulate life totals.

Serra Ascendant - MTG Card versions
Death's Shadow - MTG Card versions
Serra Ascendant - MTG Card versions
Death's Shadow - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Shadow of Mortality by color, type and mana cost

B.F.M. (Big Furry Monster) - MTG Card versions
B.F.M. (Big Furry Monster) - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Shadow of Mortality MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Streets of New Capenna Promos, 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 of Mortality and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Shadow of Mortality Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2022-04-29 and 2022-04-29. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 997032015NormalBlackAnato Finnstark
22022-04-29Streets of New Capenna PromosPSNC 94p2015NormalBlackRobin Olausson
32022-04-29Streets of New Capenna PromosPSNC 94s2015NormalBlackRobin Olausson
42022-04-29Streets of New CapennaSNC 942015NormalBlackRobin Olausson
52022-04-29Streets of New CapennaSNC 2872015NormalBorderlessAnato Finnstark

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Shadow of Mortality has restrictions

FormatLegality
StandardLegal
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
FutureLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
BrawlLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Shadow of Mortality card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2022-04-29 In a Two-Headed Giant game, your starting life total is the life total your team started at, and your current life total is your team's current life total.