Shield Dancer MTG Card

The card offers card advantage by smartly redirecting opponent spells, saving creatures and mana. Works at instant speed, enabling reactive plays that can alter the game’s momentum. Though it prescribes to white mana, its defensive utility can be invaluable in certain decks.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Human Rebel
Released	2000-06-05
Set symbol
Set name	Prophecy
Set code	PCY
Power	1
Toughness	3
Number	23
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Mike Ploog

Text of card

oo W The next time target attacking creature would deal combat damage to Shield Dancer this turn, that creature deals that damage to itself instead.

The harder your strike, the stronger her defense.

Cards like Shield Dancer

Shield Dancer joins the roster of creature cards in Magic: The Gathering that have the capacity to protect other creatures. Much like Benevolent Bodyguard, Shield Dancer can sacrifice itself to prevent damage to another creature. Unlike Benevolent Bodyguard, which offers a one-time use instant ability requiring a sacrifice, Shield Dancer is reusable as long as you have the mana to activate its ability each turn.

When pitted against Mother of Runes, another card well-known for its defensive capabilities, Shield Dancer requires a more significant mana investment for its ability and does not offer protection from colors. However, it compensates with its repeatable effect without the need to leave the battlefield. Another comparable card is Vigilant Martyr, which protects a permanent by sacrificing itself. Shield Dancer, though having to stay tapped, avoids the finality of a sacrifice, allowing it to be a persistent shield in the game.

Assessing the strategic applications, Shield Dancer positions itself as a flexible defender in player decks. Balancing mana cost against effect resilience, it is an interesting option for players keen on maintaining their creatures’ longevity during the heat of battle.

Benevolent Bodyguard - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Shield Dancer by color, type and mana cost

Pianna, Nomad Captain - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Shield Dancer has the agility to turn the tides in your favor by allowing you to strategically redirect your opponent’s targeted spells. This can not only save your crucial creatures but potentially cause your opponent to waste resources, leading to card advantage on the battlefield.

Resource Acceleration: Even though Shield Dancer itself doesn’t directly accelerate your resources, its mere presence can preserve your mana-intensive creatures. By keeping your key spellcasters and heavy-hitters in play, it helps maintain the pace and pressure on your opponent without additional mana investment.

Instant Speed: The real magic of Shield Dancer comes from its ability to spring into action at instant speed. With its capacity to redirect enemy spells immediately, it lets you react with precision and disrupt your adversary’s strategies during their turn, which can be a game-changing move.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Shield Dancer’s abilities don’t necessitate discarding, but in the broader gameplay context, keeping mana open to utilize her ability could mean forgoing the opportunity to play other cards, indirectly leading to discarding options at the end of your turn due to hand size limits.

Specific Mana Cost: Shield Dancer requires a white mana to cast, which pigeonholes her into either mono-white or multicolored decks that can accommodate white mana, potentially restricting deck building options.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Shield Dancer’s mana cost is not exorbitant, the cost efficiency of her combat trick ability may be outweighed in faster paced games or against decks that can easily bypass or neutralize such tricks, diminishing her perceived value on the battlefield.

Reasons to Include Shield Dancer in Your Collection

Versatility: Shield Dancer can seamlessly adapt to various deck styles, providing a strategic advantage in decks that need an extra line of defense against incoming creatures.

Combo Potential: With the ability to target multiple creatures throughout a game, Shield Dancer pairs well with cards that capitalize on tap and untap mechanics, bolstering both offensive and defensive plays.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta dominated by combat-centric decks, Shield Dancer’s ability to redirect attacks can disrupt opponent strategies, making it a potent ally in maintaining board control.

How to beat

Shield Dancer exemplifies the tactical depth within Magic: The Gathering, shining in decks centered around combat tricks and battlefield control. Its primary utility is redirecting the thud of an opponent’s incoming blows, thereby preserving your key creatures from potentially devastating attacks or removal spells.

Overcoming Shield Dancer’s tricks requires a shrewd strategy. Prioritize removal spells that can bypass its ability, such as those that don’t target or those that can wipe the board entirely. Instant speed spells may also catch a Shield Dancer off-guard, forcing the owner to choose between saving it or a more valuable asset on board. Furthermore, consider adding creatures or spells to your deck that limit an opponent’s ability to choose targets, thereby neutralizing the Shield Dancer’s effectiveness. Ultimately, by adapting your tactics and incorporating cards that counteract the Shield Dancer’s defensive dance, you stand a much better chance of securing victory in your MTG confrontations.

In dissecting the unique challenges posed by Shield Dancer and formulating counters, players will recognize the nuances and interactions pivotal in navigating Magic: The Gathering’s complex battles, ensuring that this card’s deft maneuvering doesn’t dictate the outcome of the game.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Shield Dancer MTG card by a specific set like Prophecy, 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 Shield Dancer and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Shield Dancer has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Restricted
Oathbreaker	Legal
Premodern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2004-10-04	If the ability is used twice, it will cause the next two attacks this turn (which only happens if something gives a player two attacks) from the creature to “reflect” back to itself. It will not result in double damage back from a single attack.