Sharkey, Tyrant of the Shire MTG Card


Card advantage, resource acceleration, and instant speed actions give Sharkey a tactical edge in gameplay. Discard requirements and specific mana cost could be restrictive, while the high mana cost is a notable trade-off. Versatile and meta-relevant, Sharkey enhances multiple decks but demands strategic handling to maximize its potential.
Card setsReleased in 6 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityRare
TypeLegendary Creature — Avatar Rogue
Power 2
Toughness 4

Text of card

Activated abilities of lands your opponents control can't be activated unless they're mana abilities. Sharkey, Tyrant of the Shire has all activated abilities of lands your opponents control except mana abilities. Mana of any type can be spent to activate Sharkey's abilities.


Cards like Sharkey, Tyrant of the Shire

In the vast array of powerful creatures that inhabit the world of Magic: The Gathering, Sharkey, Tyrant of the Shire carves out a unique space. When putting it side by side with other formidable beings, one might draw parallels with Thalia, Heretic Cathar. Both cards aim to control the pace by affecting how opponents’ creatures and lands enter the battlefield. However, where Sharkey emphasizes utility by manipulating token generation, Thalia restricts opponents more passively.

Analogous to Sharkey in terms of token strategy could be Whirler Rogue. While Sharkey can potentially create a token each turn, Whirler Rogue offers immediate payoffs with multiple tokens upon entry. But Sharkey boasts a recurrent effect that could prove more valuable over a longer game. A more recent comparison is Tolsimir, Friend to Wolves, which not only provides a sizable token but also grants immediate life gain and the potential for creature removal. This showcases various ways that token-centric cards can shape the battlefield dynamics.

Assessing Sharkey within the context of these alternatives, it’s clear this card offers unique advantages. Its consistent pressure and strategic value in token-based play ensure its distinguished spot in Magic: The Gathering’s pantheon of creatures.

Thalia, Heretic Cathar - MTG Card versions
Whirler Rogue - MTG Card versions
Tolsimir, Friend to Wolves - MTG Card versions
Thalia, Heretic Cathar - MTG Card versions
Whirler Rogue - MTG Card versions
Tolsimir, Friend to Wolves - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Sharkey, Tyrant of the Shire by color, type and mana cost

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Phantasmal Fiend - MTG Card versions
Doomsday Specter - MTG Card versions
Possessed Aven - MTG Card versions
Elusive Tormentor // Insidious Mist - MTG Card versions
Marsh Crocodile - MTG Card versions
Moroii - MTG Card versions
Circu, Dimir Lobotomist - MTG Card versions
Blizzard Specter - MTG Card versions
Wydwen, the Biting Gale - MTG Card versions
Evil Twin - MTG Card versions
Glen Elendra Liege - MTG Card versions
Kathari Remnant - MTG Card versions
Lazav, Dimir Mastermind - MTG Card versions
Ulamog's Nullifier - MTG Card versions
Drunau Corpse Trawler - MTG Card versions
Gisa and Geralf - MTG Card versions
Duskmantle Seer - MTG Card versions
Hostage Taker - MTG Card versions
Deadeye Brawler - MTG Card versions
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Card Pros

Card Advantage: Sharkey, Tyrant of the Shire provides a consistent flow of additional cards, keeping your hand filled with more options for every turn and potential solutions to combat your opponent’s strategy.

Resource Acceleration: This card can significantly ramp up your resources, allowing you to deploy heavy hitters or activate key abilities earlier than usual, giving you a crucial edge in tempo.

Instant Speed: With the capability to act at instant speed, Sharkey enables reactive play, allowing players to adapt to the ever-changing battlefield and surprise opponents with unexpected tactics.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Sharkey, Tyrant of the Shire requires discarding another card to leverage its abilities. This could reduce your hand advantage, especially in a tight game where each card counts.

Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a very specific mana allocation to cast, which may not align well with every deck’s mana base, potentially causing delays in play or hindering the deck’s fluidity.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a notable mana investment needed, some players may find Sharkey’s cost a bit steep for the effects it offers, especially when alternatives that offer similar benefits at a lower mana investment are considered.


Reasons to Include Sharkey, Tyrant of the Shire in Your Collection

Versatility: Sharkey, Tyrant of the Shire stands out with its ability to adapt to various deck styles. Its unique effects can support a range of strategies from control to combo, making it a flexible choice for many players.

Combo Potential: This card excels in its combo capabilities, enabling interactions with a variety of deck mechanics. Its triggers and influence over multiple aspects of the game can be a linchpin in turning the tide of a match.

Meta-Relevance: Owing to Sharkey’s diverse utility, it can hold its ground in a shifting meta. It provides resilience against different archetypes, essentially making it a staple consideration for decks aiming to remain competitive amidst a fluctuating gameplay environment.


How to beat

Sharkey, Tyrant of the Shire introduces dynamic play options for MTG deck builders, rewarding strategy and cunning. Defeating this potent card involves disrupting its core synergy. Unlike some other menacing creatures or planeswalkers that demand immediate attention, Sharkey’s strength accumulates over time, leveraging the hobbit creatures and its impact on the game state. Tackling this card successfully usually revolves around strategic creature control.

Swift removal spells are key; nonspecific ‘destroy’ effects or ‘exile’ spells circumvent possible indestructibility or regeneration. Board wipes level the field, nullifying Sharkey’s control by resetting the board. Tactically using instant-speed interaction disrupts the card’s ability to generate excessive value and cripple its snowballing tactics. Always be vigilant with your counterplay, ready to act upon the opponent’s attempts to build a hobbit army or exploit Sharkey’s potentially game-changing abilities. Timing and precision in your responses can shift the tide, turning Sharkey’s potential dominion into a swiftly vanquished threat.

In summary, respect Sharkey’s potential but maintain a balanced approach. Use efficient removal, strategically apply board clears, and stay one step ahead with instant interactions to dismantle the card’s influence and preserve your winning chances against this tyrannical force in the game.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Sharkey, Tyrant of the Shire MTG card by a specific set like Tales of Middle-earth Promos and Tales of Middle-earth 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 Sharkey, Tyrant of the Shire and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Sharkey, Tyrant of the Shire Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2023-06-23 and 2023-06-23. Illustrated by Matt Stewart.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12023-06-23Tales of Middle-earth PromosPLTR 229s2015NormalBlackMatt Stewart
22023-06-23Tales of Middle-earth Art SeriesALTR 222015Art seriesBorderlessMatt Stewart
32023-06-23The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earthLTR 3732015NormalBlackMatt Stewart
42023-06-23The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earthLTR 6802015NormalBlackMatt Stewart
52023-06-23The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earthLTR 2292015NormalBlackMatt Stewart
62023-06-23The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earthLTR 7842015NormalBlackMatt Stewart

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Sharkey, Tyrant of the Shire has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
CommanderLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
GladiatorLegal
AlchemyLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Sharkey, Tyrant of the Shire card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2023-06-16 Activated abilities contain a colon. They're generally written "
-ost:
-ffect]." Some keywords are activated abilities; they have colons in their reminder text.
2023-06-16 An activated mana ability is one that produces mana as it resolves, not one that costs mana to activate.
2023-06-16 If an activated ability of a land an opponent controls references the card it's printed on by name, treat Sharkey, Tyrant of the Shire's version of that ability as though it referenced Sharkey, Tyrant of the Shire by name instead.
2023-06-16 Sharkey, Tyrant of the Shire gains only activated abilities, excluding activated mana abilities. It doesn't gain keyword abilities (unless those keyword abilities are activated), triggered abilities, or static abilities.
2023-06-16 Sharkey, Tyrant of the Shire's last ability uses a new template indicating that you may spend mana as though it were mana of any type to activate Sharkey, Tyrant of the Shire's abilities. The six types of mana are white, blue, black, red, green, and colorless.
2023-06-16 Snow mana is not a type of mana. Sharkey, Tyrant of the Shire's last ability won't let you pay a snow cost using mana produced by a nonsnow source.