Shimian Specter MTG Card

Shimian Specter provides strategic advantage by exiling cards post-combat damage. Demands precise mana, challenging for multicolored deck inclusion. Assists in controlling game flow by targeting key opponent’s cards.

Future Sight (FUT)
2007-05-04 - Number 76

Magic 2013 (M13)
2012-07-13 - Number 109

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Rare
Type	Creature — Specter
Abilities	Flying
Power	2
Toughness	2

Text of card

Flying Whenever Shimian Specter deals combat damage to a player, that player reveals his or her hand. Choose a nonland card from it. Search that player's graveyard, hand, and library for all cards with the same name as that card and remove them from the game. Then that player shuffles his or her library.

Cards like Shimian Specter

Shimian Specter hovers in a unique sphere of MTG gameplay, reminiscent of cards that disrupt the opponent’s hand. Its mechanism bears similarity to Hypnotic Specter, a classic creature that forces card discard upon dealing damage. Contrarily, Shimian Specter’s ability allows players to exile any number of copies of the revealed card from their opponent’s hand, graveyard, and even library, a powerful upgrade in targeted disruption.

Another analogous card is Sadistic Hypnotist which, while not airborne like Shimian Specter, offers a potent sacrifice mechanic to strip cards from opponent’s hands. However, Sadistic Hypnotist lacks the game-altering exile effect, which is a stark distinguishing factor. Nightveil Specter also provides a comparison point with its exiling ability upon dealing combat damage but it leans towards card advantage by letting you play exiled cards, rather than focusing on debilitating an opponent’s strategy.

Through this lens, Shimian Specter delivers an unmatched level of control, potentially removing key pieces of an opponent’s deck, while cards like Hypnotic Specter and Sadistic Hypnotist only target the hand, and Nightveil Specter shifts towards benefiting the controller’s ability to cast spells. This places Shimian Specter as an exceptional choice for players aiming to execute a long-term disruptive strategy.

Cards similar to Shimian Specter by color, type and mana cost

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Card Pros

Card Advantage: Once Shimian Specter successfully connects with a player, it offers the strategic upper hand by exiling cards from the opponent’s hand, disrupting their resources and potential plays.

Resource Acceleration: Not directly contributing to resource acceleration, Shimian Specter’s strength lies in slowing down your opponent’s acceleration by removing key cards from their hand, thus maintaining a balance in resources.

Instant Speed: While Shimian Specter itself isn’t an instant-speed spell, its ability can create opportunities for you to play at instant speed. After clearing the way with its hit trigger, you’re free to cast your instant-speed spells with less worry about enemy counters or removal.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Shimian Specter requires the opponent to discard cards but only after it deals combat damage. This can be a delayed and sometimes unfulfilled condition if your opponent manages to block or remove it before it can attack successfully.

Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a precise mana configuration of two black and two generic mana to cast. This specificity can restrict its integration into multicolored decks that might struggle with producing the required black mana consistently.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its four total mana cost, including two black mana, Shimian Specter may be considered somewhat costly for its initial 2/2 body. There are alternatives that may provide more immediate board presence or disruption effects at a lower cost threshold, making them potentially more appealing for strategies that prioritize efficiency and early game impact.

Reasons to Include Shimian Specter Mtg Card in Your Collection

Versatility: Shimian Specter is a formidable addition to any deck that prioritizes disruption. Its ability to remove an opponent’s potential threats from the game entirely gives it a role in both aggressive and control strategies, adapting seamlessly to various playstyles.

Combo Potential: Not only can Shimian Specter strip key cards from an opponent’s deck, but it also pairs smoothly with effects that capitalize on knowledge of the opponent’s hand or graveyard. This opens up avenues for synergistic interactions within decks built around hand disruption and graveyard manipulation.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta dominated by decks with well-defined win conditions, Shimian Specter’s ability to exile crucial combo pieces or answers can tilt the balance in your favor. Its relevance grows in environments where players rely heavily on specific cards to execute their strategies.

How to Beat Shimian Specter

Shimian Specter presents players with an interesting challenge in MTG. Known for its dreaded ability to disrupt an opponent’s hand and graveyard, effective strategies are essential to overcome this menacing specter. To beat a card like Shimian Specter, it’s crucial to employ quick removal spells before it can connect with a player’s life total or to hold up instant-speed interaction to ensure it doesn’t haunt the player’s hand.

Utilizing spells like Path to Exile or Fatal Push can offer an efficient solution, neutralizing the threat at a low mana cost. Counterspells are also excellent to have on hand, as they can prevent the specter from ever entering the battlefield. For players who enjoy preemptive measures, cards like Pithing Needle can nullify Shimian Specter’s abilities, effectively rendering the card harmless.

Finally, considering the specter’s somewhat fragile nature, with only a few toughness points, combat tricks can also serve as practical removal options. This specter, while daunting, can be overcome through smart, strategic plays and prompt answers to its appearance on the battlefield.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Shimian Specter MTG card by a specific set like Future Sight and Magic 2013, 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 Shimian Specter and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Shimian Specter Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2007-05-04 and 2012-07-13. Illustrated by Anthony S. Waters.

#	Released	Name	Code	Symbol	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2007-05-04	Future Sight	FUT		76	2003	Normal	Black	Anthony S. Waters
2	2012-07-13	Magic 2013	M13		109	2003	Normal	Black	Anthony S. Waters

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Shimian Specter 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 Shimian Specter card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date	Text
2012-07-01	If the player has no nonland cards in their hand, you can still search that player’s library and have them shuffle it.
2012-07-01	The cards you’re searching for must be found and exiled if they’re in the graveyard because it’s a public zone. Finding those cards in the hand and library is optional, because those zones are hidden (even if the hand is temporarily revealed).