Shadowfeed MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Instant |
| Released | 2008-10-03 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Shards of Alara |
| Set code | ALA |
| Number | 86 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Dave Kendall |
Text of card
Remove target card in a graveyard from the game. You gain 3 life.
"The future is a snake, devouring your life backwards through time. And when you die, believe me, it doesn't stop feeding." —Sedris, the Traitor King
Cards like Shadowfeed
Delving into the realm of Magic: The Gathering, Shadowfeed emerges as a unique spell that allows players to exile a target card from a graveyard. By doing so, it not only disrupts the opponent’s strategy but also gains you a slice of life. This effect mirrors other graveyard interference cards such as Tormod’s Crypt, which can exile an entire graveyard without the life gain, but without requiring mana.
Shadowfeed’s closest kin could be considered Nihil Spellbomb. This artifact can exile an opponent’s graveyard for a single black mana, and if black was spent to activate it, you also draw a card, an advantage absent in Shadowfeed. Leyline of the Void is another card that tackles graveyards by nipping the problem in the bud, it exiles cards as they hit the graveyard, though it comes with a heavier mana requirement and is geared towards a more prevention-focused game plan.
When looking at the overall efficiency and utility of grave-interruption spells, Shadowfeed offers a cost-effective and immediate solution with the upside of gaining life, a definite asset in any MTG player’s arsenal. It’s particularly advantageous in formats where pinpoint grave hate and life gain are paramount.
Cards similar to Shadowfeed by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Shadowfeed offers the strategic benefit of exiling target card from a graveyard, a subtle but effective way to diminish your opponent’s resources and potential strategies that rely on graveyard interactions.
Resource Acceleration: By gaining three life with each cast, Shadowfeed can provide a form of ‘life acceleration’, essentially giving you more staying power and a buffer against aggressive strategies, potentially allowing you to outpace your opponent in the longer game.
Instant Speed: Casting Shadowfeed at instant speed grants you the flexibility to respond to your opponent’s moves during their turn, making it a versatile tool in managing the flow of the game and disrupting the opponent’s plans without sacrificing your turn’s actions.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One drawback of Shadowfeed is that it necessitates the discard of a card to activate its ability. For players who are already struggling to maintain a good hand size, this can be especially burdensome, sometimes forcing hard decisions between keeping key cards or enabling a crucial graveyard interaction.
Specific Mana Cost: Shadowfeed’s effectiveness is directly tied to its black mana cost. While monoblack or black-inclusive decks will find this easy to accommodate, those running without black mana might find it impractical, thus narrowing the card’s versatility across the broader game landscape.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that’s somewhat steep for its effect, Shadowfeed may not be the first choice for players looking for graveyard manipulation or life gain. In comparison, there are other cards within the game that provide similar benefits without requiring both mana investment and a discard, making Shadowfeed a less efficient option in many scenarios.
Reasons to Include Shadowfeed in Your Collection
Versatility: Shadowfeed can be a strategic inclusion in various deck types, known for its flexibility. This card is especially useful in decks that thrive on life gain, graveyard interaction, or need to counter strategies that rely on the graveyard.
Combo Potential: The card’s ability to exile cards from graveyards offers synergy with abilities that benefit from exile effects. Plus, the incremental life gain can be capitalized on with cards or abilities that trigger when you gain life.
Meta-Relevance: In game formats where graveyard-based strategies are prevalent, Shadowfeed serves as both a relevant answer to opponents’ tactics and a way to subtly bolster your position, making it a smart metagame choice.
How to beat
Shadowfeed is a unique card that makes its mark by offering life gain amidst the struggle for board control. Its ability to exile a creature card from a graveyard and give you 3 life presents a subtle lifeline during the heat of battle. To outplay this card, it’s crucial to strategize preemptively. Direct graveyard manipulation, for instance, can strip Shadowfeed of its targets, therefore, consider incorporating cards like Scavenging Ooze to preemptively clean up graveyards. Similarly, effects that shuffle graveyards back into libraries, such as the Eldrazi Titans’ triggered abilities, will limit Shadowfeed’s reach immensely.
Controlling your own graveyard’s contents is another tactic for diminishing Shadowfeed’s impact. Utilizing cards with the delve mechanic, like Murderous Cut, helps you actively manage your graveyard and deprive your opponent of potential life gain. Counterplay also involves maintaining a sturdy defense to mitigate the life gain’s significance. If Shadowfeed is relegated to a non-impactful role, its life cushion becomes inconsequential. Hence, strong board presence and graveyard regulation turn the tides against Shadowfeed easily.
Through mindful anticipation and proactive countermeasures, one can efficiently navigate around Shadowfeed’s advantages and preserve the equilibrium of the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Shadowfeed MTG card by a specific set like Shards of Alara, 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 Shadowfeed and other MTG cards:
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- 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
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Shadowfeed has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Shadowfeed card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2008-10-01 | If the targeted card is removed from the graveyard before Shadowfeed resolves, Shadowfeed doesn’t resolve. You won’t gain 3 life. |