Stoneshaker Shaman MTG Card
Mana cost | |
Converted mana cost | 3 |
Rarity | Uncommon |
Type | Creature — Human Shaman |
Released | 2005-10-07 |
Set symbol | |
Set name | Ravnica: City of Guilds |
Set code | RAV |
Power | 1 |
Toughness | 1 |
Number | 145 |
Frame | 2003 |
Layout | Normal |
Border | Black |
Illustred by | Jeff Miracola |
Text of card
At the end of each player's turn, that player sacrifices an untapped land.
There is no place in Ravnica for stagnation, no room for lands unfilled and untilled.
Cards like Stoneshaker Shaman
Stoneshaker Shaman is a unique card that resonates with strategies aimed at disrupting opponent’s plans in Magic: The Gathering. It’s often compared to cards like Rishadan Port for the way it influences the land tapping dynamics. Just as Rishadan Port can strategically tap an opponent’s land during upkeep, Stoneshaker Shaman forces an opponent to use their lands or lose them, preventing the accumulation of mana for big turns.
Analogous in function, Avalanche Riders offers a different approach to land disturbance by destroying target land outright, while also bringing a body to the battlefield. Although it doesn’t consistently prevent land usage each turn like Stoneshaker Shaman, it still embodies the land denial strategy often embraced in red decks. Comparatively, Fulminator Mage serves a similar purpose but with more flexibility, allowing the player to decide when to disrupt the opponent’s mana base.
While assessing the impacts of these cards, Stoneshaker Shaman stands out among land interaction cards for its ability to pressure an opponent turn after turn, a feature that strategically aligns well with the aggressive and tempo-oriented red decks in Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Stoneshaker Shaman by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Though not directly drawing cards, Stoneshaker Shaman disrupts opponents’ strategies, potentially causing them to discard cards if unable to play them. This indirect form of card advantage can place you in a more favorable position during the game.
Resource Acceleration: While Stoneshaker Shaman itself doesn’t accelerate your mana resources, it slows down your opponents by forcing them to use mana during their upkeep. This can give you a comparative advantage, as they’ll have fewer resources to counteract your plays later on.
Instant Speed: Stoneshaker Shaman requires careful timing when considering your plays. While it operates at sorcery speed, it interacts with your opponent’s ability to play at instant speed, significantly impacting their capacity to respond to your actions during their turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Stoneshaker Shaman forces each player to discard a land card at the end of every turn they played a spell with a mana cost of 3 or less, which can significantly reduce your land resources, hampering your ability to cast spells in later turns.
Specific Mana Cost: This card requires a precise combination of one red and two generic mana to cast, potentially making it difficult to play in multicolored decks that do not focus on red mana sources.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana, the Shaman’s effect must be weighed against other cards with similar costs. It may not always be the most efficient way to limit opponents’ play, especially when facing decks that operate effectively on low land counts or utilize cost reduction mechanics.
Reasons to Include Stoneshaker Shaman in Your Collection
Versatility: Stoneshaker Shaman is not restricted to a single deck archetype. Its ability to disrupt opponents’ untapped lands during their upkeeps makes it a valuable addition to any deck that aims to control the pace of the match or capitalize on opponents’ resources being locked down.
Combo Potential: The Shaman’s unique ability opens up numerous combo opportunities, particularly in formats that allow for stax strategies. It can be paired with cards that restrict land untapping or benefit from opponents having fewer resources available during their turns.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where players rely on having access to an abundance of mana every turn, Stoneshaker Shaman can serve as an effective countermeasure. Not only does it impede your opponents’ ability to execute their strategies smoothly, but it also keeps ramp decks and instant-speed interaction in check, maintaining a balance in competitive play.
How to beat
Stoneshaker Shaman presents a unique challenge in Magic: The Gathering. As a card that disrupts opponent’s mana during the upkeep phase, it can be quite troublesome. However, creature removal spells like Path to Exile or Fatal Push can effectively manage this threat by eliminating the Shaman before its ability triggers. Additionally, instant-speed spells allow you to sidestep the Shaman’s restrictive effect by using mana on your opponent’s turn, mitigating its influence.
Countering the shaman’s casting is another strategic option. Utilizing counter spells like Counterspell or Mana Leak ensures that the Shaman never hits the battlefield, which is pivotal against decks that rely heavily on its ability. If the Shaman is already in play, instant-speed board wipes like Cyclonic Rift can remove it during your opponent’s turn, thus preserving your mana for your own strategic plays.
Remember, the key to outmaneuvering a Stoneshaker Shaman lies in timing and the judicious use of instant removal or counter spells. Keep these tactics in mind, and you’ll be well-equipped to maintain the upper hand against this tricky card.
BurnMana Recommendations
Stoneshaker Shaman, a card that can shake up the battlefield with its mana disrupting powers, can be key in turning the tides of a match in your favor. Its strategic importance in the right setting can make it a game-changer in MTG play. If you’re interested in introducing an element that can unsettle your opponent and give you a competitive edge, consider including the Shaman in your deck. Looking to deepen your understanding of this card’s potential or discover new and exciting deck synergies? Our in-depth analysis awaits to aid you in mastering the art of disruption and lead your deck to victory. Embrace the full potential of Stoneshaker Shaman and level up your game with insights from fellow MTG enthusiasts and experts.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Stoneshaker Shaman MTG card by a specific set like Ravnica: City of Guilds, 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 Stoneshaker Shaman 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 Stoneshaker Shaman has restrictions
Format | Legality |
---|---|
Commander | Legal |
Legacy | Legal |
Paupercommander | Restricted |
Modern | Legal |
Oathbreaker | Legal |
Vintage | Legal |
Duel | Legal |
Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Stoneshaker Shaman card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
Date | Text |
---|---|
2005-10-01 | If the player doesn’t have an untapped land as Stoneshaker Shaman’s ability resolves, that player does nothing. |