Shaile, Dean of Radiance // Embrose, Dean of Shadow MTG Card
2021-04-23 - Number 158
2021-04-23 - Number 330
2023-05-08 - Number 5
2002-06-24 - Number 90228
2021-04-23 - Number 55
2021-04-23 - Number 55s
Text of card
Flying, vigilance : Put a +1/+1 counter on each creature that entered the battlefield under your control this turn.
"You are so much stronger than you know."
Cards like Shaile, Dean of Radiance // Embrose, Dean of Shadow
Shaile, Dean of Radiance occupies a unique spot among creature cards in Magic: The Gathering. With abilities focused on +1/+1 counters, Shaile shares similarities with other creatures like Juniper Order Ranger. Both cards bolster other creatures, though Shaile does it through vigilance and an ability to add counters every turn. Juniper Order Ranger, in contrast, gains counters whenever another creature enters the battlefield.
Another card that echoes Shaile’s counter-centric strategy is Conclave Mentor. The Mentor accelerates the growth of +1/+1 counters, much like Shaile. However, it lacks the direct ability to place counters on itself and other creatures actively. Additionally, Abzan Falconer gives creatures with +1/+1 counters flying, providing a significant tactical advantage, similar to Shaile’s impact on the board, albeit Shaile doesn’t grant flying but instead works to magnify individual creature’s potential.
While each card has its own advantages and play styles, Shaile, Dean of Radiance stands out for her ability to consistently strengthen your creatures every turn, making her a notable choice for players who favor continuous board development in Magic: The Gathering.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Shaile, Dean of Radiance offers a subtle but effective means of card advantage. By placing +1/+1 counters on each creature you control with a counter, you progressively enhance your board presence. Over time, this incremental advantage can turn small creatures into major threats, effectively resulting in gaining more value from the cards you’ve already played. Additionally, Shaile’s second ability allows you to exile a card from your library with a counter on it, increasing your options and providing longer-term card advantage.
Resource Acceleration: Though not directly a tool for resource acceleration like adding additional mana, Shaile aids in accelerating your resources in a broader sense. Every +1/+1 counter placed is an investment in your creatures, turning them into more potent assets that can translate into an accelerated pace of play and potentially fewer turns to secure victory. The vigilance granted by Shaile also means your creatures remain ready to block or attack, optimizing the use of your resources without the need for further investment in their activation.
Instant Speed: Shaile, Dean of Radiance itself might not operate at instant speed, but the fact that you can put a +1/+1 counter on a creature you control at the beginning of combat on your turn means you can adapt your strategy flexibly in response to an evolving game state. Having creatures grow right before combat allows for last-minute decisions that can surprise an opponent and provide instant-speed-like tactical advantages during the battle phase.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Shaile, Dean of Radiance doesn’t have a direct discard requirement, it demands specific deckbuilding choices that could lead to ineffective hands if not carefully curated.
Specific Mana Cost: This card requires white and green mana for casting, potentially limiting its integration into multicolored decks that may not consistently generate these types of mana.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: As a card that costs two mana—specifically one white and one green—it’s worth noting that in the competitive scene, other cards with similar mana costs may provide immediate impact whereas Shaile’s full potential unfolds over several turns.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Shaile, Dean of Radiance serves a dual role in your decks, as both a creature that can bolster your other creatures with +1/+1 counters and as an early bird that can amass counters itself. This adaptability ensures that Shaile remains a relevant draw throughout the game.
Combo Potential: With Shaile in play, any deck focusing on +1/+1 counters can explode with potential. Its ability to grow every turn and support synergies with countless counter-centric spells means Shaile could be a linchpin in combos that spiral your board presence out of your opponents’ control.
Meta-Relevance: As gameplay typically sees a range of evolving strategies, Shaile’s scalability and its vigilance ability can give you the edge in a format where creature-based tactics are commonplace. Whether your meta leans towards aggressive or sustaining strategies, Shaile, Dean of Radiance fits comfortably, prepared to shine its light right where it’s needed.
How to Beat Shaile, Dean of Radiance
Shaile, Dean of Radiance can be quite the powerhouse in any MTG deck she graces, known for her ability to support +1/+1 counter strategies and provide card advantage with her second face, Embrose, Dean of Shadow. To effectively counter Shaile, you should prioritize removal spells that can target creatures regardless of their power, size, or protection abilities. Cards like Bloodchief’s Thirst, which scales with the game and provides an answer to Shaile at any stage, can be particularly effective.
Another approach is to limit the counter accumulation by utilizing sweepers or board wipes like Doomskar and Wrath of God, which can reset the board and nullify the incremental advantage that Shaile offers, especially when she’s flipped to Embrose. It’s also beneficial to apply pressure early, stifling the opportunity for counter strategies to develop and thereby minimizing her impact on the game.
Mind keeping your strategy flexible and responsive, dealing with Shaile requires precision and timing, ensuring she doesn’t become a persistent thorn in your side. It’s a delicate balancing act of managing resources and having the right answers at crucial moments.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Shaile, Dean of Radiance // Embrose, Dean of Shadow MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Strixhaven Art Series, 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 Shaile, Dean of Radiance // Embrose, Dean of Shadow and other MTG cards:
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- Card Market
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Printings
The Shaile, Dean of Radiance // Embrose, Dean of Shadow Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2021-04-23 and 2023-05-08. Illustrated by Yongjae Choi.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 90228 | 2015 | Modal DFC | Black | Yongjae Choi | ||
| 2 | Strixhaven Art Series | ASTX | 55 | 2015 | Art series | Borderless | Yongjae Choi | ||
| 3 | 2021-04-23 | Strixhaven: School of Mages | STX | 158 | 2015 | Modal DFC | Black | Yongjae Choi | |
| 4 | Strixhaven Art Series | ASTX | 55s | 2015 | Art series | Borderless | Yongjae Choi | ||
| 5 | 2021-04-23 | Strixhaven: School of Mages | STX | 330 | 2015 | Modal DFC | Black | Yongjae Choi | |
| 6 | 2023-05-08 | From Cute to Brute | PCTB | 5 | 2015 | Modal DFC | Black | Yongjae Choi |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Shaile, Dean of Radiance // Embrose, Dean of Shadow has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Shaile, Dean of Radiance // Embrose, Dean of Shadow card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2021-04-16 | If a creature entered the battlefield under your control this turn but is controlled by a different player when Shaile’s activated ability resolves, it will still get a +1/+1 counter. |
Guide to Vigilance card ability
In the strategic universe of Magic: The Gathering (MTG), the vigilance ability stands out as a powerful tool for players. This potent keyword allows creatures to attack without tapping, keeping them ready and alert to defend against incoming threats. It represents a perfect balance between aggression and defense, offering a dynamic approach to gameplay. Lets dive deeper into how vigilance shapes the battlefield.