Shapesharer MTG Card
Mana cost | |
Converted mana cost | 2 |
Rarity | Rare |
Type | Creature — Shapeshifter |
Abilities | Changeling |
Released | 2007-10-12 |
Set symbol | |
Set name | Lorwyn |
Set code | LRW |
Power | 1 |
Toughness | 1 |
Number | 85 |
Frame | 2003 |
Layout | Normal |
Border | Black |
Illustred by | Alan Pollack |
Text of card
Changeling (This card is every creature type at all times.) : Target Shapeshifter becomes a copy of target creature until your next turn.
One good mimic deserves another.
Cards like Shapesharer
Shapesharer is an intriguing creature card within the vast universe of Magic: The Gathering. It finds its kin in versatility among cards like Clone or Altered Ego. Clone, for instance, allows players to copy any creature on the battlefield, exactly mirroring its characteristics sans mana cost. Where Shapesharer differs is in its repeated use; it can become a copy of any creature as long as you have the mana to activate its ability each turn.
Altered Ego adds to the mix the option to enter the battlefield with additional +1/+1 counters, providing not just a copy, but potentially an upgraded version of the target creature. While it also changes the shape only once, Shapesharer offers continuous adaptability throughout the game. Despite this, both Clone and Altered Ego do not require mana investment beyond their initial casting cost. This flexibility gives Shapesharer a unique edge, as it allows dynamic response to changing game states.
Analyzing the field of transformative creature cards in Magic: The Gathering, Shapesharer stands out due to its ongoing ability to match the most advantageous creature on the board, embodying strategic diversity and tactical cunning in your gameplay arsenal.
Cards similar to Shapesharer by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Shapesharer provides tactical flexibility by adapting to various board states, potentially taking on characteristics of creatures with powerful card draw abilities, leading to significant card advantage.
Resource Acceleration: By copying creatures with mana-generating abilities, Shapesharer can act as a powerful tool for resource acceleration, paving the way for casting higher cost spells sooner than usual.
Instant Speed: The ability to change its creature type at instant speed gives Shapesharer a strategic edge, allowing you to surprise opponents during combat or in response to removal, keeping your board presence adaptable and dynamic.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Shapesharer requires you to have a creature worth copying on the battlefield, which can be limiting if your board state is lacking in desirable targets or if your creatures are consistently removed by opponents.
Specific Mana Cost: This card’s activation cost demands both blue mana and generic mana, which can constrain its integration into multi-colored decks that may not always have the necessary blue mana sources readily available.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Shapesharer’s three mana initial casting cost, combined with the mana needed for each activation, makes it a relatively high investment for its shape-shifting ability. This cost is significant, particularly when there are more mana-efficient creatures or spells that offer similar or better benefits without the consistent need for mana investment.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Shapesharer is a chameleon on the battlefield, able to adapt and take on any creature type, which can be crucial for tribal decks or when needing to meet specific board states.
Combo Potential: This card excels at creating synergy with other creatures, as it can mimic key abilities on demand. This opens the door for infinite combos or unexpected plays that can turn the tide of the game.
Meta-Relevance: In a game where adaptability can mean the difference between victory and defeat, Shapesharer’s ability to copy the most powerful creatures in play makes it a relevant choice, particularly in metas with a diverse array of creature-based strategies.
How to Beat Shapesharer
Shapesharer offers a unique flexibility on the battlefield, becoming a copy of any other creature on the field at the cost of only two mana. While this may seem daunting, remember that Shapesharer inherits not just the strengths but also the weaknesses of the copied creature. Targeted removal spells like Path to Exile or Fatal Push can efficiently deal with Shapesharer before or after transformation, preventing it from becoming a larger threat.
Another strategy against Shapesharer is to limit the useful targets it can copy. Playing creatures with negative enter-the-battlefield effects or ones that require specific synergies to be effective can make Shapesharer’s ability more of a liability than an asset. Board wipes such as Wrath of God or Damnation can also reset the playing field, leaving Shapesharer with no targets to mimic.
In essence, the key to outmaneuvering Shapesharer lies in careful timing and strategic selection of spells and creatures that minimise its potential impact. With smart play, you can nullify the advantage this shifty creature brings to the table.
BurnMana Recommendations
With its dynamic potential on the battlefield, Shapesharer has become a tantalizing choice for players who enjoy responsive and versatile gameplay. While considering the insights from its pros and cons, the strategic adaptability and combo potential of this card should not go unnoticed. For MTG enthusiasts looking to enrich their collection and gameplay, diving deeper into the applications and interactions surrounding Shapesharer is a wise move. We encourage you to delve further into this unique creature’s capabilities and the metagame nuances that could unlock new levels of play for your decks. Discover more strategies and perfect your skill set with us today.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Shapesharer MTG card by a specific set like Lorwyn, 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 Shapesharer 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 Shapesharer has restrictions
Format | Legality |
---|---|
Commander | Legal |
Legacy | Legal |
Modern | Legal |
Oathbreaker | Legal |
Vintage | Legal |
Duel | Legal |
Predh | Legal |
Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Shapesharer card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
Date | Text |
---|---|
2007-10-01 | Effects that have already applied to the targeted Shapeshifter will continue to apply to it. For example, if Giant Growth had given it +3/+3 earlier in the turn, then this ability makes it a copy of Grizzly Bears, it will be a 5/5 Grizzly Bears. |
2007-10-01 | If Shapesharer itself becomes a copy of another creature, it loses both changeling and its activated ability (unless it’s copying another creature with changeling and/or another Shapesharer, of course). |
2007-10-01 | If the targeted Shapeshifter becomes a copy of a face-down creature, it will become a 2/2 creature with no name, creature type, abilities, mana cost, or color. It will not become face down and thus can’t be turned face up. |
2007-10-01 | If the targeted Shapeshifter copies a creature that’s copying a creature, it will become whatever the chosen creature is copying. |
2007-10-01 | The copy effect doesn’t wear off until just before your next untap step (even if an effect will cause that untap step to be skipped). |
2007-10-01 | The targeted Shapeshifter copies the printed values of the targeted creature, plus any copy effects that have been applied to it. It won’t copy counters on that creature. It won’t copy effects that have changed the creature’s power, toughness, types, color, and so on. |
2007-10-01 | This ability can cause a creature to become a copy of itself. This will usually have no visible effect. |
2017-09-29 | If either target becomes an illegal target, the ability will resolve but have no effect. |