Shadowstorm MTG Card

Tempest (TMP)
1997-10-14 - Number 202

Tempest Remastered (TPR)
2015-05-06 - Number 157

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	1
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Sorcery

Key Takeaways

Shadowstorm offers card advantage and can pivot a game by drawing multiple cards and disrupting opponents.
The card’s instant speed allows for flexible play, adapting to the game’s flow for strategic casting.
Despite its benefits, Shadowstorm demands a discard and may limit deck-building due to specific mana needs.

Text of card

Shadowstorm deals 2 damage to each creature with shadow.

"You've not seen a storm until you've seen the kind that roars between worlds." —Lyna, Soltari emissary

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Shadowstorm provides a significant edge by potentially disrupting your opponent’s strategy while replenishing your own hand. The ability to potentially draw multiple cards can swing momentum in your favor.

Resource Acceleration: As Shadowstorm resolves, it can clear the board of numerous artifacts, which in return could ramp up your mana resources if you’re playing a deck synergistic with artifacts or effects triggered by their destruction.

Instant Speed: The flexibility of casting Shadowstorm at instant speed cannot be overstated. This allows for strategic depth, enabling you to decide the most opportune moment during the battle to cast it, often in response to an opponent’s move or to surprise your adversary when they least expect it.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Shadowstorm card demands you to discard another card to unleash its potential. This requisite can be restrictive when your hand is already depleted, essentially forcing a trade-off that might not always be in your favor.

Specific Mana Cost: Shadowstorm’s casting cost includes specific mana symbols, meaning it can only seamlessly slot into decks that can produce that type of mana. This can pose deck-building constraints, especially for players looking to integrate it into a more mana-diverse strategy.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that’s on the higher end for its effects, Shadowstorm might not always represent the best value for your mana investment. In situations where game tempo is key, its costliness can be a significant drawback as you might have alternatives that provide a similar impact for less mana.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Shadowstorm can seamlessly adapt to various playstyles, serving as a pivotal piece in decks that exploit multicolor spells or require artifact removal. Its multifunctional nature allows it to be a useful tool in a broad spectrum of gaming situations.

Combo Potential: Not only does Shadowstorm offer strong standalone value, but it’s also capable of initiating or complementing destructive combinations that can dismantle an opponent’s board presence, particularly when synergizing with cards that benefit from spell copying or casting triggers.

Meta-Relevance: In a game environment where artifacts and enchantments are prevalent, having Shadowstorm in your arsenal gives you an edge. It grants the ability to swiftly deal with threats or clear the way for your offensive strategies, making it a card with significant strategic importance in competitive play.

How to beat

Shadowstorm is known for its potential to disrupt the playing field in a MTG match by delivering damage across multiple artifacts. This card presents a unique challenge, particularly in artifact-heavy decks that rely on their artifacts for key combos and strategies. However, overcoming Shadowstorm’s impact involves strategic planning and foresight.

An effective approach includes diversifying your strategy beyond artifacts. Incorporate alternative sources of advantage, such as enchantments or creature-based synergies, to minimize vulnerability to artifact destruction. Moreover, holding onto cards like Counterspell or utilizing abilities such as hexproof for your artifacts will safeguard them against this sorcery. Another tactic is to pressure your opponent before they gather the resources needed to cast Shadowstorm, reducing its effectiveness upon arrival.

Ultimately, preemptive planning and versatility in your deck construction are critical. Anticipating and countering cards like Shadowstorm not only puzzles your opponent but also positions you securely toward victory. Remaining adaptable and vigilant against such sweeping effects is part of mastering the game and advancing your prowess as a player.

Cards like Shadowstorm

Shadowstorm shares its space within the intriguing arsenal of shadow abilities in Magic: The Gathering, akin to other cards that manipulate or benefit from this mechanic. It bears a resemblance to Dauthi Slayer, a creature equipped with shadow, ensuring it is only blockable by creatures with the same ability. But where Shadowstorm shines is in its potential to give all your creatures shadow until end of turn, not just a single entity. This opens up momentary but complete evasion capabilities, dramatically different from the enduring presence of Dauthi Slayer.

Another card to consider is Soltari Visionary, which also operates on shadow to avoid obstacles. However, unlike the sweeping effect of Shadowstorm, Soltari Visionary’s ability is individual and comes with an added destruction perk upon dealing damage to a player. Then there’s Dauthi Embrace, which grants shadow selectively and at a mana cost for each use. While Dauthi Embrace offers flexibility, Shadowstorm excels at delivering a single, overwhelming turn of unblockable attacks. Though each of these cards uses the shadow mechanic to a different end, Shadowstorm stands out for its potentially game-ending mass evasion.

Through this lens, Shadowstorm can be seen as a specialized tool for MTG decks that aim to capitalize on brief but decisive strike windows, situating itself as a notable option in strategies revolving around the elusive shadow trait.

Cards similar to Shadowstorm by color, type and mana cost

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Shadowstorm MTG card by a specific set like Tempest and Tempest Remastered, 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 Shadowstorm and other MTG cards: