Shadowbane MTG Card

Shadowbane offers game-swinging hand and graveyard exile, disrupting opponents and giving you a strategic edge. Acting at instant speed, it serves as a tactical disruptor, perfectly timing your plays against adversaries. Demands precise mana and a card discard, posing both a strategic hurdle and a deck-building challenge.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Instant
Released	1996-10-08
Set symbol
Set name	Mirage
Set code	MIR
Number	38
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Douglas Shuler

Text of card

Prevent all damage to you or a creature you control from any one source. If that source is black, gain 1 life for each 1 damage prevented in this way.

Light creates shadow; light destroys shadow. Such is the transience of darkness.

Cards like Shadowbane

Within the vast repertoire of removal options in the world of Magic: The Gathering, Shadowbane stands as an intriguing card worth discussing. Comparable in nature to Swords to Plowshares, both cards are efficient at exiling creatures for a low mana investment. Where Shadowbane diverges is in its additional capability to destroy enchantments, offering a dual-purpose utility that Swords to Plowshares does not.

When sizing up against Disenchant, another classic staple for enchantment removal, Shadowbane once again shines by encompassing a broader scope of targets. Disenchant lacks the creature exile feature, limiting its versatility. Further, the instant speed nature of Shadowbane presents players an edge by allowing reactive gameplay during an opponent’s turn, akin to the quickness offered by Swords to Plowshares.

Ultimately, Shadowbane positions itself well among its counterparts, displaying a unique balance of creature and enchantment removal that can be a game changer in any MTG player’s arsenal. Its capacity to adapt to various threats on the battlefield grants it a respectable place in strategies looking for flexible and efficient answers.

Swords to Plowshares - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Shadowbane by color, type and mana cost

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Shadowbane’s ability to exile a card from your opponent’s hand and from their graveyard can be a significant swing in your favor. Not only does it disrupt their strategic plans, but it also enhances your information about their resources, giving you the upper hand in the duel.

Resource Acceleration: Although Shadowbane itself does not directly accelerate resources, efficiently removing key components of your opponent’s game plan can set them back, effectively accelerating your own path to victory as they struggle to regain their footing.

Instant Speed: The power of acting at instant speed cannot be overstated. Shadowbane’s flexibility to be used during the most opportune moment, such as in response to an opponent’s action or in the end phase before your turn, makes it a tactical tool in any player’s arsenal. This unexpected disruption is invaluable, especially when navigating through complex board states or when every choice can tip the scales of the match.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Engaging in the strategic gameplay of MTG often involves maximizing every card in hand. However, Shadowbane presents a hurdle by necessitating the discard of a card to activate its effect. This requirement can be a strategic pitfall when your hand is running lean, compelling you to weigh the card’s benefits against the potentially valuable resources you’ll forfeit.

Specific Mana Cost: Tailoring your mana base to accommodate a card that demands both black and white mana can be quite the task. Shadowbane’s color specificity narrows down its adaptability predominantly to decks that can readily produce both types of mana, potentially excluding it from a variety of mono-colored or other multicolored decks that don’t align with its mana requirements.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Shadowbane commands a substantial mana investment relative to its effect on the game. In a format where efficiency is prized, this can be seen as a considerable investment, especially when there exists a myriad of alternatives. Players might find that other cards offer more impactful effects or better resource allocation for the same, or even less, mana expenditure.

Reasons to Include Shadowbane in Your Collection

Versatility: Shadowbane’s flexible casting cost and its ability to act as both a disruption tool and creature eliminator make it a strong addition to decks that value adaptability in their spells.

Combo Potential: This card synergizes well with strategies that benefit from instant-speed interaction, helping to remove threats or disrupt opponent’s combos at critical moments.

Meta-Relevance: Given its dual capabilities, Shadowbane is particularly effective in metas with a lot of creature-based strategies or where instant-speed interactivity is crucial to maintaining control.

How to Beat Shadowbane

Dealing with Shadowbane in MTG requires a strategic approach. Recognized for its disruption capabilities, it presents a challenge not unlike facing Thoughtseize or Inquisition of Kozilek, both powerful in their own right. Shadowbane thrives on its ability to dismantle an opponent’s strategy, and it’s crucial to be prepared for its potential impact.

Similar to navigating through Duress, it’s vital to prioritize the key components of your hand and have a backup plan for your critical spells. The ability to anticipate and prepare for disruption sets a skilled player apart. Having a mix of redundant key pieces and disposable spells can mitigate the loss incurred from a successful Shadowbane play.

Ultimately, just like overcoming a card like Mind Rot, it’s about maintaining a diverse hand and staying adaptable. Constructing your deck with resilience in mind, considering alternative paths to victory, and understanding the typical timing of disruption spells like Shadowbane are essential. It may not always be easy, but it certainly adds an intriguing layer of depth to the game, challenging players to think ahead and play smarter.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Shadowbane MTG card by a specific set like Mirage, 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 Shadowbane and other MTG cards:

BUY NOW
BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Shadowbane has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Premodern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2008-08-01	This only prevents damage the chosen source would deal to you or a creature you control. If the creature would deal damage to another player, a planeswalker, or a creature you don’t control, it does not get prevented.