Shadow Summoning MTG Card
2023-06-23 - Number 677
2023-06-23 - Number 226
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Sorcery |
Key Takeaways
- Generates creature tokens, enhancing battlefield presence without depleting hand resources.
- Instant speed casting allows for surprise tactics and reactive gameplay.
- Restricts to black mana decks, potentially high cost for its effect.
Text of card
Create two tapped 1/1 white Spirit creature tokens with flying.
"Whose shall the horn be? Who shall call them from the grey twilight, the forgotten people? The heir of him to whom the oath they swore." —Malbeth the Seer
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Shadow Summoning excels by delivering a creature token to your battlefield. This can translate to an unexpected blocker or an additional attacker, expanding your in-game options without depleting your hand’s resources.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly increasing your mana pool, the creature token produced can be utilized for various synergistic effects within your deck. It works seamlessly with sacrifice engines or other cards that derive value from the presence of more creatures, effectively accelerating your strategic setup.
Instant Speed: The versatility of casting Shadow Summoning at instant speed cannot be overstated. It allows you to adapt to the flow of the game, positioning you to respond to your opponent’s moves effectively. Utilize it at the end of your opponent’s turn to maintain the element of surprise or disrupt their calculations during combat.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Shadow Summoning demands that you discard a card in order to cast it. When your hand is dwindling, such a stipulation can put you at a severe handicap, pressuring you to forgo precious resources which could be detrimental in the long game.
Specific Mana Cost: This card’s need for black mana restricts its seamless integration exclusively to decks that can generate this particular mana type. If you’re running a multicolored deck without reliable black mana sources, Shadow Summoning may often remain an unplayable card in your hand.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Shadow Summoning sits at a higher mana echelon for its ability to create a token. While a creature token can be a formidable asset, there are alternatives in the game that could fetch you a token or yield additional benefits for the same, or even less, mana investment.
Reasons to Include Shadow Summoning in Your Collection
Versatility: Shadow Summoning boasts the ability to be slotted into various decks with a focus on casting multiple spells in a turn. It’s particularly useful in strategies that benefit from surprise blockers or sudden bursts of power on the battlefield.
Combo Potential: As a card that creates a token creature, it pairs well with mechanics that reward you for creature spells or tokens entering the play. The synergy this card has with sacrifice outlets or spells that benefit from creatures dying is something to consider for combo orientations.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta that favors creature-based tactics or one that requires instant-speed interaction, Shadow Summoning can provide unexpected value, disrupting opponents’ combat calculations or amplifying your creature count at crucial moments.
How to beat
Shadow Summoning is an intriguing card that catches many players off guard with its ability to generate a sizeable creature token at instant speed. To successfully navigate against it, consider keeping up mana for instant-speed removal. Cards like Shock or Fatal Push can efficiently deal with the summoned creature before it becomes a larger problem. Additionally, Counterspells are highly effective against Shadow Summoning since they prevent the token from ever hitting the battlefield.
Maintaining board control with sweepers such as Wrath of God or Blasphemous Act also reduces the impact this card can have, as it’s vital to clear the way before the token gets the chance to swing the game in your opponent’s favor. And patience can be a virtue; sometimes simply waiting until your opponent is tapped out or has committed to their play can open the window you need to neutralize the threat without the risk of an immediate replacement from this sneaky card.
By preparing the proper responses and recognizing the right moment to act, you can mitigate the advantages Shadow Summoning provides, keeping the shadowy threat at bay and maintaining dominance over the game.
Cards like Shadow Summoning
In the realm of creature token generation within Magic: The Gathering, Shadow Summoning presents a unique role. Much like the well-known card Lingering Souls, it allows you to create creature tokens. Shadow Summoning brings forth a single larger shadow creature token, where Lingering Souls produces multiple spirit tokens. Despite the numbers difference, what makes Shadow Summoning intriguing is the fact it can be a surprise blocker when cast during an opponent’s turn, thanks to its foretell ability.
Another card to consider in comparison is Moan of the Unhallowed. This card, while similar in creating creature tokens, does so at a higher mana cost but doubles the creatures’ output. However, being a sorcery, it lacks the intricacy and timing potential that the instant speed of Shadow Summoning provides. This can make a significant difference in games that require strategic depth and surprise elements during the opponent’s turn.
Assessing the impact and strategic application of Shadow Summoning against its contemporaries demonstrates its merit in decks that capitalize on timing and tactical creature placement. Its foretell capability gives it an edge in reactionary play, making it a card not to be overlooked for its utility and surprise factor.
Cards similar to Shadow Summoning by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Shadow Summoning 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 Summoning and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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 Summoning Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2023-06-23 and 2023-06-23. Illustrated by Campbell White.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2023-06-23 | The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth | LTR | 677 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Campbell White | |
| 2 | 2023-06-23 | The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth | LTR | 226 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Campbell White |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Shadow Summoning has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Alchemy | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |