Shivan Emissary MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Human Wizard |
| Abilities | Kicker |
| Released | 2000-10-02 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Invasion |
| Set code | INV |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
| Number | 166 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Paolo Parente |
Text of card
Kicker o1o B (You may pay an additional o1o B as you play this spell.) When Shivan Emissary comes into play, if you paid the kicker cost, destroy target nonblack creature. It can't be regenerated.
Cards like Shivan Emissary
Shivan Emissary joins the roster of creature cards in Magic: The Gathering that offer both battlefield presence and an additional effect upon entering the fray. It bears similarity to cards like Flametongue Kavu, another creature known for its enter the battlefield (ETB) trigger that can target and potentially destroy a creature. The Kavu, however, provides a more substantial body and a guaranteed four damage to a creature upon entrance, setting the bar high for red creature impacts.
Another comparable card in this niche is Avalanche Riders, which shares the red identity and offers land destruction as its ETB effect. The Riders present a different type of utility, trading Shivan Emissary’s creature targeting ability for an assault on your opponent’s mana base. While the Riders have echo, demanding another payment of its casting cost on your next upkeep, Shivan Emissary brings a one-time kick cost for its potential creature removal.
Indeed, the crafting of one’s MTG deck architecture must take into account the balance between creatures like Shivan Emissary and its contemporaries. Looking at the strengths of its ETB effect in tandem with body size versus cost, Shivan Emissary holds its own in the realm of creature-based control tactics, serving as a flexible choice for those seeking direct creature interaction on the battlefield.
Cards similar to Shivan Emissary by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Shivan Emissary can enable advantageous trades on the battlefield, potentially removing an opponent’s creature and allowing you to maintain board presence.
Resource Acceleration: Through its creature removal ability, the card can accelerate your resource advantage by potentially clearing a pathway for your other creatures to attack more freely.
Instant Speed: While Shivan Emissary itself doesn’t have an instant speed ability, being able to play it in your main phase aligns your strategy with other instant speed removals in your deck, keeping your opponents guessing.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: In order to unleash its full potential, Shivan Emissary requires you to sacrifice a creature when it enters the battlefield, which could set you back if your army on the board is sparse or if you’re holding onto valuable creatures.
Specific Mana Cost: Shivan Emissary demands both red and black mana, which might confine it to dual or multicolor decks, potentially complicating deck building and mana base stability for mono-color strategists.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a three mana investment, two of which must be red, its triggered ability can feel costly when compared to other creature cards that bring immediate board impact or possess built-in evasion, like flying or trample, for a similar mana cost.
Reasons to Include Shivan Emissary in Your Collection
Versatility: Shivan Emissary is adaptable to various gameplay situations given its convenient mana cost and the “kick” ability to remove key threats on the board.
Combo Potential: The kicked effect of this card synergizes well with strategies that capitalize on creature removal, particularly in red-based destruction or sacrifice decks.
Meta-Relevance: Against decks that rely heavily on creature-based strategies, Shivan Emissary can serve as an effective tool to disrupt the opponent’s board presence and maintain tempo.
How to beat
Shivan Emissary, a classical card from the MTG universe, brings a unique flair to gameplay with its notable ability to potentially remove a creature from the board upon entering the battlefield. However, conquering this card requires strategic insight. Addressing the threat of Shivan Emissary entails having instant-speed removal or counter spells ready to deploy, such as Path to Exile or Counterspell, to intercept it before its ability triggers.
Moreover, giving precedence to low-value creatures on the battlefield can mitigate the impact of its entrance ability. Understanding that Shivan Emissary targets creatures without protection abilities, it’s wise to bolster your field with creatures possessing hexproof or indestructible, ensuring that your more valuable assets remain untouched. Protective spells such as Blossoming Defense can also provide a timely shield against this emissary’s fiery arrival.
Ultimately, defeating Shivan Emissary boils down to anticipation and resource management. This card, while potent, can be rendered ineffective with careful play, keeping important threats safeguarded and responding quickly to its summoning. Deliberate moves and an awareness of timing are key in maintaining dominance over Shivan Emissary’s pyrotechnic entrance.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Shivan Emissary MTG card by a specific set like Invasion, 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 Shivan Emissary and other MTG cards:
BUY NOW BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
- 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 Shivan Emissary has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |