Shambling Remains MTG Card
2009-02-06 - Number 124
2013-03-15 - Number 48
2014-09-05 - Number 12
2019-11-07 - Number 1483
2020-09-26 - Number DDN-12
| Card sets | Released in 5 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Zombie Horror |
| Abilities | Unearth |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
Shambling Remains can't block. Unearth (: Return this card from your graveyard to play. It gains haste. Remove it from the game at end of turn or if it would leave play. Unearth only as a sorcery.)
Cards like Shambling Remains
Shambling Remains carves its niche within the pantheon of creatures in Magic: The Gathering with its interesting dynamics. A spectral comparison is drawn with Geralf’s Messenger, another undead that creates an inevitable presence on the battlefield. While Shambling Remains demands an undying commitment with its inability to block, Geralf’s Messenger offers a recurring threat that demands an answer from your opponent twice due to its undying ability.
Another relative in this morbid family tree is Flamewake Phoenix. It presents a flying threat that Shambling Remains lacks but shares the resurrection theme, coming back to the battlefield with ferocious consistency. Though Shambling Remains edges out with greater power, the Phoenix provides mobility and evasion being airborne. Then we have Bloodsoaked Champion, which, like Shambling Remains, can be returned from the graveyard to the battlefield but at the cost of attacking that turn, emphasizing aggressive playstyles.
Each of these cards attracts players who value the relentless pressure on opponents, albeit through different strengths and strategies. Shambling Remains holds its ground with a sturdy power-to-cost ratio, offering a formidable option for players building around graveyard synergies and aggressive, resource-efficient decks in Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Shambling Remains by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Shambling Remains does not directly allow you to draw cards, its efficiency as a recurring threat can indirectly lead to card advantage. Every time it returns from the graveyard, you effectively get another creature without spending a card from your hand, pressuring your opponent to find additional answers.
Resource Acceleration: Though not a typical form of resource acceleration, Shambling Remains can be a cost-effective addition to your board. With its Unearth ability, you can temporarily bring it back from the graveyard for a burst of aggression, optimizing your mana usage and speeding up your offensive strategy.
Instant Speed: The Unearth ability of Shambling Remains can be activated at instant speed, allowing for surprise blocks or unexpected damage during your opponent’s end step. This flexibility lets you maximize your mana each turn, keeping your options open until you need to commit to bringing it back onto the battlefield.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Shambling Remains compels you to discard a card if you wish to unleash it from the graveyard. This can deplete your hand, leaving fewer options for future plays and potentially putting you at a strategic disadvantage in the game.
Specific Mana Cost: Requiring both black and red mana, Shambling Remains demands a commitment to a Rakdos color scheme. This may not synergize well with decks that focus on a different color combination, limiting its versatility across various build strategies.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana, including two specific colors, there are alternative creatures that offer similar or greater power and toughness for the same or lower mana value. This makes Shambling Remains a potentially less efficient option when considering the cost-to-power ratio in your deck construction.
Reasons to Include Shambling Remains in Your Collection
Versatility: Shambling Remains stands out with its ability to be aggressively costed for a three-drop creature card. Its solid power allows it to be a considerable threat in any aggressive or midrange deck, particularly those in the Rakdos colors.
Combo Potential: As it can’t block, Shambling Remains encourages strategies focused on turning creatures sideways. It pairs well with cards that boost its power or provide evasion to ensure it can connect with the opponent. Think synergies with cards granting trample or buffs to push through damage.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta that’s swarming with creature-based combat, Shambling Remains can swiftly shift the scales in your favor. As a creature that returns from the graveyard, it offers resilience against control decks that rely on creature removal to sustain the board, making it a recurring threat that demands an answer.
How to Beat Shambling Remains
Shambling Remains may seem like a challenging adversary on the battlefield due to its inability to block and notable strength as a formidable 4/3 creature for a low casting cost. In the realm of Magic the Gathering, this card distinguishes itself with a unique combination – it packs a heavy punch, and it comes with unearth, allowing it to make a surprise comeback from the graveyard.
To overcome Shambling Remains, players should capitalize on its weakness by implementing control strategies. Removal spells that exile, such as Path to Exile or Swords to Plowshares, can effectively prevent Shambling Remains from being a recurring nightmare. Board sweepers are also efficient, clearing the field of these resilient creatures and keeping your opponent from gaining momentum.
Additionally, including creatures with reach or flying can ensure you have defenders capable of intercepting Shambling Remains when it attacks. Keeping ready those instant-speed removals can also save the day when the remains are unearthed for a surprise assault. Always remember that the timing of removal plays a critical role since Shambling Remains can’t block; it’s wise to remove it before the attack phase. By staying one step ahead in strategy and utilizing precise removals, you can diminish the threat of Shambling Remains in your MTG duels.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Shambling Remains MTG card by a specific set like Conflux and Duel Decks: Sorin vs. Tibalt, 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 Shambling Remains 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
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Printings
The Shambling Remains Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2009-02-06 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Nils Hamm.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2009-02-06 | Conflux | CON | 124 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Nils Hamm | |
| 2 | 2013-03-15 | Duel Decks: Sorin vs. Tibalt | DDK | 48 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Nils Hamm | |
| 3 | 2014-09-05 | Duel Decks: Speed vs. Cunning | DDN | 12 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Nils Hamm | |
| 4 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 1483 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Nils Hamm | |
| 5 | The List | PLST | DDN-12 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Nils Hamm |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Shambling Remains has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |