Sheoldred's Assimilator MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Phyrexian Horror |
| Abilities | Conjure,Menace |
| Released | 2023-02-28 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Alchemy: Phyrexia |
| Set code | YONE |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 1 |
| Number | 10 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Diego Gisbert |
Text of card
Menace Whenever Sheoldred's Assimilator enters the battlefield or attacks, exile up to one target card from a graveyard. If a card is exiled this way, you may conjure a duplicate of that card into the top five cards of your library at random.
Cards like Sheoldred's Assimilator
Sheoldred’s Assimilator is a new arrival to the selection of creature control elements in MTG. It bears resemblance to cards like Faceless Butcher, known for its ability to exile another creature temporarily. However, Sheoldred’s Assimilator takes it a step further by permanently assimilating any nonland permanent once it’s transformed. Faceless Butcher cannot match this level of control over a wide range of permanent types.
Similarly, we can look at Banisher Priest, which also deals with creatures by temporarily exiling them. But again, Sheoldred’s Assimilator provides a persistent solution to any problematic permanent, giving it a significant edge. Then there’s Fiend Hunter, offering much of the same with its exile capabilities. Fiend Hunter, like its counterparts, can handle creatures well, but it falls short when gauging its impact against a broader spectrum of targets that Sheoldred’s Assimilator can effectively neutralize and utilize.
Evaluating these cards side by side, Sheoldred’s Assimilator commands a special position with its transformative nature and versatile permanent control. In a game where adaptability can be key, Sheoldred’s Assimilator is a force that goes beyond its peers, establishing itself as a formidable card in MTG’s pantheon of creature control.
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Sheoldred's Assimilator. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Mono-Black Aggro | Gladiator | Sword and Sandals Showdown: EMEA Week 13 2024 | |
 | Golgari Midrange | Gladiator | Sword and Sandals Showdown: AM Week 08 2024 | |
 | Abzan Planeswalkers | Gladiator | Gladiator Proving Grounds: Week 08 2024 | |
 | Sultai Midrange | Gladiator | Sword and Sandals Showdown: EMEA Week 14 2024 | |
 | Rakdos Midrange | Gladiator | Sword and Sandals Showdown: AM Week 06 2024 | |
| Grixis Tempo | Gladiator | Gladiator Proving Grounds: Week 12 2024 | |
| Rakdos Aggro | Gladiator | Gladiator Proving Grounds: Week 12 2024 | |
| Jund Midrange | Gladiator | Gladiator Proving Grounds: Week 06 2024 | |
 | Grixis Reanimator | Gladiator | Sword and Sandals Showdown: EMEA Week 08 2024 | |
| Mono-Black Midrange | Gladiator | Sword and Sandals Showdown: AM Week 09 2024 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Sheoldred’s Assimilator offers a direct way to disrupt your opponent’s hand while simultaneously fueling your own resources. Each time you activate its ability, you’re effectively sifting through your opponent’s plans and adding valuable cards to your side of the field.
Resource Acceleration: This card includes the potential for resource acceleration by allowing you to play lands or mana sources from your opponent’s deck. This can lead to a substantial advantage, giving you access to more mana and thereby enabling more powerful plays or faster development of your board presence.
Instant Speed: The option to activate Sheoldred’s Assimilator at instant speed makes it extremely versatile. You can choose the right moment during your opponent’s turn to exploit their vulnerabilities, making it easier to catch them off-guard and disrupt their strategy.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Sheoldred’s Assimilator necessitates that players discard a card in order to leverage its ability. This might strain one’s hand, especially when operating with a tight card economy, leaving players at a potential disadvantage if they are unable to maintain a healthy hand size.
Specific Mana Cost: The card demands a precise mana arrangement to be played, with emphasis on both black and generic mana. Consequently, it might not seamlessly fit into multicolor decks that could struggle with mana fixing, restricting its playability across different strategies.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Requiring a total of six mana to cast, Sheoldred’s Assimilator stands on the higher end of the mana curve. Within this mana range, players may find alternative creatures or spells that provide immediate impact or more versatile utility, potentially relegating the Assimilator to a lower priority in deck construction.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Sheoldred’s Assimilator stands out with its ability to seamlessly integrate into various deck frameworks, particularly those emphasizing graveyard interaction or creature control strategies.
Combo Potential: This card creates a synergy with strategies designed around sacrificing or recurring creatures, paving the way for powerful combos that can dominate the game board.
Meta-Relevance: Given that creature-based decks are prevalent in many metas, Sheoldred’s Assimilator can be a significant disruptor, making it a relevant addition to your arsenal.
How to beat
Sheoldred’s Assimilator enters the battlefield as a force to be reckoned with, presenting a unique challenge for players in Magic: The Gathering. Crafted for control decks, it allows a player to choose and exile a card from an opponent’s graveyard whenever a swamp enters the battlefield under their control. The ability transforms it into a creature that’s a copy of the exiled card, creating a formidable army over time.
To effectively combat Sheoldred’s Assimilator, it’s crucial to limit its fuel. This means reducing the number of cards that go into your graveyard. Utilizing graveyard hate like Rest in Peace or Leyline of the Void can hinder the Assimilator by making cards in the graveyard untouchable. Moreover, cards that provide graveyard evacuation, like Relic of Progenitus or Tormod’s Crypt, disrupt its cadaverous copying capability. Strategies that either speed up your play or deploy hexproof and shroud abilities to protect your graveyard inventory can also work. The key is to strangle Sheoldred’s Assimilator’s supply line, negating its chances to capitalize on your graveyard, thus keeping this otherworldly usurper at bay.
In essence, outmaneuvering Sheoldred’s Assimilator necessitates a proactive approach to either safeguard your graveyard or render it useless to the Assimilator, preserving the integrity of your strategy and maintaining an edge on the battlefield.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Sheoldred's Assimilator MTG card by a specific set like Alchemy: Phyrexia, 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 Sheoldred's Assimilator 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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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Sheoldred's Assimilator has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Alchemy | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |