Shadow of the Enemy MTG Card


Gain an upper hand with card advantage and disrupt your opponent’s strategy effectively. Leverage instant speed for strategic depth, reacting perfectly to your opponent’s moves. Recognize and mitigate the discard requirement and mana specificity to maintain balance.
Card setsReleased in 7 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost6
RarityMythic
TypeSorcery

Text of card

Exile all creature cards from target player's graveyard. You may cast spells from among those cards for as long as they remain exiled, and mana of any type can be spent to cast them.


Cards like Shadow of the Enemy

Shadow of the Enemy fits intriguingly into the rogue’s gallery of removal spells in MTG. It bears a resemblance to other efficient kill spells like Doom Blade, as both serve to efficiently remove a creature from the battlefield. What distinguishes Shadow of the Enemy is the specific condition it brings to the table, often involving a twist in gameplay or an additional effect that Doom Blade lacks.

Furthermore, there is Go for the Throat, another frequently used removal in the MTG arsenal. This card also fulfills the quick creature removal at a low cost, much like Shadow of the Enemy. Nonetheless, Go for the Throat comes with its own limitations, being unable to target artifact creatures, a restriction that Shadow of the Enemy may or may not share depending on its particular mechanics.

Assessing Shadow of the Enemy alongside these similar options highlights the importance of strategic card choice in MTG. Each removal spell carries unique nuances that can shape a deck’s strategy and affect in-game decisions, making Shadow of the Enemy a potential go-to for players who seek a certain edge with their creature removal tactics.

Doom Blade - MTG Card versions
Go for the Throat - MTG Card versions
Doom Blade - MTG Card versions
Go for the Throat - MTG Card versions

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

Kiss of Death - MTG Card versions
Dark Offering - MTG Card versions
Rain of Daggers - MTG Card versions
Poison Arrow - MTG Card versions
Corrupt - MTG Card versions
Morbid Hunger - MTG Card versions
Haunting Voyage - MTG Card versions
Zombie Apocalypse - MTG Card versions
Nightmare Incursion - MTG Card versions
Beseech the Queen - MTG Card versions
Stolen Grain - MTG Card versions
Essence Feed - MTG Card versions
Hex - MTG Card versions
Grave Exchange - MTG Card versions
Assassin's Strike - MTG Card versions
Undercity Plague - MTG Card versions
Sip of Hemlock - MTG Card versions
Spiteful Blow - MTG Card versions
Reign of the Pit - MTG Card versions
Endless Obedience - MTG Card versions
Kiss of Death - MTG Card versions
Dark Offering - MTG Card versions
Rain of Daggers - MTG Card versions
Poison Arrow - MTG Card versions
Corrupt - MTG Card versions
Morbid Hunger - MTG Card versions
Haunting Voyage - MTG Card versions
Zombie Apocalypse - MTG Card versions
Nightmare Incursion - MTG Card versions
Beseech the Queen - MTG Card versions
Stolen Grain - MTG Card versions
Essence Feed - MTG Card versions
Hex - MTG Card versions
Grave Exchange - MTG Card versions
Assassin's Strike - MTG Card versions
Undercity Plague - MTG Card versions
Sip of Hemlock - MTG Card versions
Spiteful Blow - MTG Card versions
Reign of the Pit - MTG Card versions
Endless Obedience - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Shadow of the Enemy is designed to provide you with card advantage, allowing you to access critical spells and creatures when most needed. By selectively disrupting your opponent’s hand, you maintain the upper hand and ensure your deck keeps flowing smoothly.

Resource Acceleration: This card’s ability to efficiently manage resources can accelerate your gameplay significantly. Any disruption it causes can set your opponent back while giving you the tempo to build your board presence and arsenal uninterrupted.

Instant Speed: Shadow of the Enemy operates at instant speed, affording you the flexibility to react to your opponent’s moves. This gives you strategic depth, letting you wait for the perfect moment to cast it, perhaps in response to an opponent’s spell or after they’ve drawn their card for the turn.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Shadow of the Enemy requires you to discard a card, which may deplete your hand especially if you’re already struggling with card advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a precise combination of mana types, potentially complicating its incorporation into multicolored decks that may run smoother with more flexible mana demands.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a relatively steep mana cost for its effects, some players might find more efficient alternatives that achieve similar results without as significant a hit to their mana resources.


Reasons to Include Shadow of the Enemy in Your Collection

Versatility: Shadow of the Enemy seamlessly integrates into various deck strategies. Its ability to disrupt opponents makes it an asset in both aggressive and control setups, adapting to your tactical needs.

Combo Potential: This card’s synergistic value is high as it can enhance strategies centered around discard mechanisms and graveyard interactions, opening doors for powerful combo plays.

Meta-Relevance: Given the card’s dynamism, it remains a prevailing choice, especially in environments dominated by hand disruption and control tactics. Having Shadow of the Enemy contributes to your capacity to anticipate and navigate the ever-evolving meta landscape effectively.


How to Beat

Shadow of the Enemy emerges as a gripping challenge in the MTG landscape, deftly disrupting opponents’ play with its potent blend of abilities. It can seem daunting at first, but there are strategic moves you can make to turn the tide. Strategizing against it typically involves a twofold approach: first, minimizing the impact of its disruptive abilities, and second, finding the most opportune moment for its removal.

An effective tactic involves playing cards that grant you hexproof, thereby shielding you from Shadow of the Enemy’s targeting disruptions. Additionally, incorporating spells or creatures with the flash ability into your strategy can catch your opponent off-guard, allowing you to sidestep Shadow of the Enemy’s effect by playing on your terms during their turn. Lastly, be mindful of card timing. Deploy your most crucial spells when Shadow of the Enemy can’t interfere, effectively neutralizing this formidable card’s influence on the game.

In essence, while Shadow of the Enemy can exert pressure, a considered and carefully executed plan will ensure that its shadows cast far less of a darkness over your path to victory. Proactive defense, coupled with adroit timing, is your breadcrumb trail out of this shadowy labyrinth.


BurnMana Recommendations

Shadow of the Enemy taps into the core of MTG gameplay, enhancing strategies with its hand-disruption tactics. Whether you are bolstering your control deck or shaking up your aggressive lineup, the inclusion of this card could be pivotal. Careful consideration of its pros and cons is vital, but for those willing to navigate its complexities, it can serve as a linchpin in many winning strategies. Delve deeper into deck-building techniques, combo potentials, and meta shifts with us. Embrace the challenge and refine your gameplay—Shadow of the Enemy might just be the hidden gem in your collection. Embark on the journey to mastery with BurnMana and unlock the full potential of your MTG deck.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Shadow of the Enemy MTG card by a specific set like The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth and The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth, 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 the Enemy and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Shadow of the Enemy Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2023-06-23 and 2023-06-23. Illustrated by 3 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12023-06-23The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earthLTR 4242015NormalBorderlessTyler Jacobson
22023-06-23The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earthLTR 7352015NormalBorderlessDavor Gromilović
32023-06-23Tales of Middle-earth PromosPLTR 107s2015NormalBlackShahab Alizadeh
42023-06-23The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earthLTR 5582015NormalBlackShahab Alizadeh
52023-06-23Tales of Middle-earth Art SeriesALTR 82015Art seriesBorderless
62023-06-23The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earthLTR 1072015NormalBlackShahab Alizadeh
72023-06-23The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earthLTR 735z2015NormalBorderlessDavor Gromilović

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Shadow of the Enemy has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
CommanderLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
GladiatorLegal
AlchemyLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2023-06-16 Shadow of the Enemy uses a new template indicating that you may spend mana as though it were mana of any type to cast the exiled cards. The six types of mana are white, blue, black, red, green, and colorless.
2023-06-16 Snow mana is not a type of mana. Shadow of the Enemy won't let you pay a snow cost using mana produced by a nonsnow source.
2023-06-16 You pay all costs and follow all normal timing rules for spells cast this way.