Shadowbeast Sighting MTG Card
2021-09-24 - Number 198
2022-01-28 - Number 198
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Sorcery |
| Abilities | Flashback |
Text of card
Create a 4/4 green Beast creature token. Flashback (You may cast this card from your graveyard for its flashback cost. Then exile it.)
"Werewolves leave tracks. Vampires leave wrung-out corpses. This is something else." —Paulin, trapper of Somberwald
Cards like Shadowbeast Sighting
Shadowbeast Sighting is an intriguing component in the realm of creature tokens within Magic: The Gathering. When we look at cards like Growth Spasm, the similarity is apparent with both creating a creature token upon resolution. Shadowbeast Sighting forges a formidable 4/4 green Beast token, certainly a hefty presence on the battlefield. Growth Spasm, while it may only generate a 0/1 Eldrazi Spawn token, compensates with the added advantage of land ramp.
Exploring further, Brood Birthing stands out as another parallel, especially for decks keen on using tokens as a tactic. Even though it doesn’t bring a massive token to life, it has the potential to create a swarm with multiple 0/1 Eldrazi Spawn tokens, assuming you already control one. Then there’s Sarpadian Empires, Vol. VII, offering a customizable token plan where the type of token created depends on the version chosen at activation.
Overall, when evaluating the strategic utility of Shadowbeast Sighting against these alternatives, it holds a solid position. It swings the tide by delivering a single, sizable creature that can significantly impact the game’s dynamics, providing token-based strategy players with a robust choice.
Cards similar to Shadowbeast Sighting by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Shadowbeast Sighting offers a unique two-for-one deal as it has flashback, enabling players to cast it twice and potentially creating two creature tokens. This aspect is crucial for sustaining a lead in a match by ensuring a steady flow of threats.
Resource Acceleration: While Shadowbeast Sighting itself does not directly accelerate resources, the creatures it creates can become invaluable for overwhelming your opponent, setting the stage for more substantial plays, or defending against attacks while your resources build.
Instant Speed: Although this card operates at sorcery speed, the flexibility offered by its flashback ability mimics the versatility of instant speed cards, allowing players to time their second creature drop strategically to better suit the state of the game.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Playing Shadowbeast Sighting requires a player to pitch another card from their hand, which might strain their hand size, especially in the later stages of the game when every card counts.
Specific Mana Cost: Shadowbeast Sighting’s cost is not only color-specific but also requires two green mana. This may restrict its inclusion in multicolored decks that may not have a stable green mana base.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of four mana, Shadowbeast Sighting may be considered costly for the effect it brings to the battlefield. Competitive decks often look for more impactful plays at this mana value, potentially sidelining this card for more efficient alternatives.
Reasons to Include Shadowbeast Sighting in Your Collection
Versatility: Shadowbeast Sighting is a flexible option for green decks looking to add some muscle to their creature lineup. It can be played straightaway to create a formidable 4/4 creature, or from the graveyard thanks to its flashback, providing lasting value across multiple turns.
Combo Potential: This card holds the potential to synergize with graveyard manipulation strategies. Its ability to be cast from beyond the battlefield allows savvy players to weave together powerful plays, particularly in decks that care about casting creatures or spells from the graveyard.
Meta-Relevance: As the game environment evolves, Shadowbeast Sighting remains relevant due to its inherent power and the ever-present usefulness of solid creature threats. It can stand its ground in various match-ups, providing a repeatable threat that demands an answer from opponents.
How to beat
Shadowbeast Sighting is an intriguing card that offers repeatable creature generation in Magic: The Gathering. Its allure lies in the ability to create a formidable 4/4 green Beast creature token, not once but potentially twice, thanks to its flashback ability. However, to outmaneuver this card, consider implementing strategies that revolve around graveyard disruption or exile effects, which effectively neutralize its flashback potential.
Employing cards such as Leyline of the Void can ensure that Shadowbeast Sighting never gets a second chance, as it would be exiled instead of being sent to the graveyard. Adding spot removals or board wipes after the first Beast token is generated also helps to maintain control of the board. Moreover, building up your strategies with counterplay options like graveyard hate in your sideboard can prepare you for not just Shadowbeast Sighting but similar recurring threats.
Overall, while Shadowbeast Sighting may seem daunting with its incremental value, a well-prepared deck can readily turn the tables. Focus on preemptive measures and timely reactions to keep the beasts at bay and secure your victory on the battlefield.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Shadowbeast Sighting MTG card by a specific set like Innistrad: Midnight Hunt and Innistrad: Double Feature, 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 Shadowbeast Sighting and other MTG cards:
BUY NOW BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
- eBay
- 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 Shadowbeast Sighting Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2021-09-24 and 2022-01-28. Illustrated by Piotr Foksowicz.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2021-09-24 | Innistrad: Midnight Hunt | MID | 198 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Piotr Foksowicz | |
| 2 | 2022-01-28 | Innistrad: Double Feature | DBL | 198 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Piotr Foksowicz |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Shadowbeast Sighting has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Shadowbeast Sighting card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2021-09-24 | "Flashback -ost]" means "You may cast this card from your graveyard by paying -ost] rather than paying its mana cost" and "If the flashback cost was paid, exile this card instead of putting it anywhere else any time it would leave the stack." |
| 2021-09-24 | A spell cast using flashback will always be exiled afterward, whether it resolves, is countered, or leaves the stack in some other way. |
| 2021-09-24 | If a card with flashback is put into your graveyard during your turn, you can cast it if it's legal to do so before any other player can take any actions. |
| 2021-09-24 | To determine the total cost of a spell, start with the mana cost or alternative cost (such as a flashback cost) you're paying, add any cost increases, then apply any cost reductions. The mana value of the spell is determined only by its mana cost, no matter what the total cost to cast the spell was. |
| 2021-09-24 | You can cast a spell using flashback even if it was somehow put into your graveyard without having been cast. |
| 2021-09-24 | You must still follow any timing restrictions and permissions, including those based on the card's type. For instance, you can cast a sorcery using flashback only when you could normally cast a sorcery. |