Shadow Puppeteers MTG Card


Shadow Puppeteers enhances gameplay by offering card advantage and resource acceleration for strategic depth. Its instant-speed capability allows for significant tactical maneuvers and game-swinging surprise plays. Despite its strengths, players must be mindful of its discard requirement and specific mana costs.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost7
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Faerie Wizard
Abilities Flying,Ward
Power 4
Toughness 4

Text of card

Flying, ward When Shadow Puppeteers enters the battlefield, create two 1/1 black Faerie Rogue creature tokens with flying. Whenever a creature you control with flying attacks, you may have it become a red Dragon with base power and toughness 4/4 in addition to its other colors and types until end of turn.


Cards like Shadow Puppeteers

Shadow Puppeteers is a notable MTG card that aims to manipulate the battlefield with an intriguing ability. Likening it to other cards, we find that it shares a kinship with Dimir Informant. Both cards provide crucial battlefield information to the player, but Shadow Puppeteers stands out with its unique capability to gain control of enemy creatures for a turn, going beyond the mere collection of insight.

Similarly, Act of Treason also offers the chance to seize control of opponents’ creatures, although it lacks the input from opponents’ next steps that Shadow Puppeteers boasts. Furthermore, Shadow Puppeteers’ ability can be a game-changer in the right circumstances, offering a level of deception and surprise that’s unmatched by the more straightforward Act of Treason.

Exploring this space further, we encounter Switcheroo, a card that permanently exchanges creatures between players. While its effect is enduring against Shadow Puppeteers’ temporary switch, the latter’s lower cost and repeatable usage every turn offers strategic versatility. Evaluating these capabilities, Shadow Puppeteers can gain an edge for players looking to disrupt and predict enemy strategies in a dynamic playstyle.

Dimir Informant - MTG Card versions
Act of Treason - MTG Card versions
Switcheroo - MTG Card versions
Dimir Informant - MTG Card versions
Act of Treason - MTG Card versions
Switcheroo - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Shadow Puppeteers by color, type and mana cost

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Goliath Sphinx - MTG Card versions
Scrapdiver Serpent - MTG Card versions
Island Fish Jasconius - MTG Card versions
Djinn of the Lamp - MTG Card versions
Blizzard Elemental - MTG Card versions
Amugaba - MTG Card versions
Jin-Gitaxias, Progress Tyrant - MTG Card versions
Tromokratis - MTG Card versions
Hullbreaker Horror - MTG Card versions
Colossal Whale - MTG Card versions
Mistform Skyreaver - MTG Card versions
Slipstream Eel - MTG Card versions
Weaver of Lies - MTG Card versions
Quicksilver Behemoth - MTG Card versions
Vizzerdrix - MTG Card versions
Rimefeather Owl - MTG Card versions
Errant Ephemeron - MTG Card versions
Cyclone Summoner - MTG Card versions
Isleback Spawn - MTG Card versions
Marjhan - MTG Card versions
Goliath Sphinx - MTG Card versions
Scrapdiver Serpent - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Shadow Puppeteers offers an edge in maintaining a steady flow of cards in hand. When activated, it lets you dig deeper into your library, increasing the chances of finding the right answers or threats at the right time.

Resource Acceleration: This card can unexpectedly ramp up your available resources. By untapping your creatures, especially those with mana abilities, you ensure you have additional mana to deploy spells or activate abilities, potentially outpacing your opponent.

Instant Speed: The versatility of an instant-speed card cannot be overstated. Shadow Puppeteers can be a game-changer during the heat of combat or in response to an opponent’s actions. Timing this card right can swing the game in your favor, making it a tactical tool in your arsenal.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Shadow Puppeteers tactic necessitates the disposal of a precious card to activate its abilities. This can pose a significant hurdle when your hand is dwindling, and each card counts.

Specific Mana Cost: This card’s casting relies on a mix of specific mana, which may not seamlessly fit into a varied deck’s mana base, thus limiting its strategic flexibility.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Shadow Puppeteers come with a mana cost that’s on the higher side, which might strain your mana resources, especially in the early game stages where setting up a strong board presence is crucial.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Shadow Puppeteers is a dynamic card that can adapt to numerous gameplay scenarios. Its ability to manipulate untapped creatures makes it a formidable addition to decks that depend on creature synergies and combat tricks.

Combo Potential: This card opens up numerous combo possibilities, especially with creatures that have powerful tap or untap abilities. Integrating it into a deck with such creatures can set the stage for devastating turns and flip the tide of the game.

Meta-Relevance: In a game state where interactions and responsiveness are key, Shadow Puppeteers aligns perfectly. It can exploit openings in the opponent’s defense or maximize your own defensive capabilities, making it a timely asset in the constantly shifting MTG meta.


How to Beat Shadow Puppeteers

Shadow Puppeteers is a unique Magic the Gathering card that can be a game changer on the battlefield. When evaluating strategic approaches to counteract this card, understanding its strengths and weaknesses becomes crucial. Since the card focuses on enhancing creatures for each card drawn, cutting off card draw mechanisms is an effective strategy. This means running interference with cards that limit draw power or employing discard effects to disrupt your opponent’s hand can be particularly effective against decks that leverage Shadow Puppeteers.

Another key tactic is the removal of Shadow Puppeteers before its ability becomes a threat. Utilizing instant-speed removal spells allows a player to wait for the opportune moment, potentially in response to a trigger from the Puppeteers themselves. Board wipes are also a good option as they can reset the playing field, especially if Shadow Puppeteers has already begun to build an overwhelming presence. Lastly, counter magic is always an effective tool, preventing the card from ever entering the battlefield and setting up its synergies.

Understanding how to dismantle the synergy provided by Shadow Puppeteers enables players to maintain control of the game and prevent their adversary from exploiting its full potential.


BurnMana Recommendations

The strategic depth of MTG deepens with cards like Shadow Puppeteers, which offers both challenges and advantages in gameplay. With its ability to untap creatures and bolster your resource acceleration, it carves a niche in synergy-driven decks. However, consider its specific mana needs and the balance of holding onto cards versus activating its effects. Whether enhancing your collection’s versatility or seeking to outmaneuver opponents with tactical foresight, Shadow Puppeteers can be a powerful ally. Navigate its intricacies and discover how it can serve your strategy best. Learn more and refine your deck-building skills with us.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Shadow Puppeteers MTG card by a specific set like Wilds of Eldraine Commander and Wilds of Eldraine Commander, 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 Puppeteers and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Shadow Puppeteers Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2023-09-08 and 2023-09-08. Illustrated by Cristi Balanescu.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12023-09-08Wilds of Eldraine CommanderWOC 482015NormalBlackCristi Balanescu
22023-09-08Wilds of Eldraine CommanderWOC 122015NormalBlackCristi Balanescu

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Shadow Puppeteers has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2023-09-01 Effects that modify a creature's power and/or toughness, such as the one created by Squeak By or a +1/+1 counter, will apply to the creature no matter when they started to take effect.
2023-09-01 If the creature loses flying before Shadow Puppeteers's last ability resolves, the creature will still become a red Dragon with base power and toughness 4/4 in addition to its other colors and types until end of turn. It won't gain flying.
2023-09-01 If the creature stops being a creature before Shadow Puppeteers's last ability resolves, it will become red until end of turn in addition to its other colors. Since it's not a creature, it won't gain the Dragon subtype, and it won't have base power and toughness 4/4.
2023-09-01 Shadow Puppeteers's last ability doesn't remove any abilities the creature has.
2023-09-01 Shadow Puppeteers's last ability overwrites any previous effects that set the creature's power and/or toughness to specific values. Any power- or toughness-setting effects that start to apply after Shadow Puppeteers's last ability resolves will overwrite this effect.