Undercity Shade MTG Card


Grants card advantage through potential extra draw and influences opponent trades. Enhances resource acceleration, significantly increasing mana availability. Boasts instant speed for dynamic play and optimal timing of strategies.
Undercity Shade - Ravnica: City of Guilds
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Shade
Abilities Fear
Released2005-10-07
Set symbol
Set nameRavnica: City of Guilds
Set codeRAV
Power 1
Toughness 1
Number110
Frame2003
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byDana Knutson

Text of card

Fear : Undercity Shade gets +1/+1 until end of turn.

"Officially, there's nothing under that bridge to hunt . . . . Unofficially, my torchers are too terrified to go there after nightfall." —Agrus Kos


Cards like Undercity Shade

Dwelling in the shady corners of MTG sets is the Undercity Shade, a creature card known for its stealth and potential power increase. It bears resemblance to other creature cards such as Nantuko Shade, which also offers the flexibility to boost its strength at a similar mana cost. Both cards showcase the capacity to grow stronger as the game advances, inviting you to invest more resources for a greater board presence.

Exploring further into the shadows, Vampire Nighthawk emerges as a creature card worth comparing. While Vampire Nighthawk comes with inbuilt flying and lifelink abilities, Undercity Shade requires an additional mana investment for flying and doesn’t heal its controller. The adaptability of the Shade makes it formidable, but the Nighthawk’s static abilities provide consistent value right from the start.

Ultimately, looking into the darker corners of MTG creature cards, Undercity Shade presents a unique strategic flexibility, standing out among its peers in terms of scalability. Its ability to fit within various decks and scenarios ensures that this creature can be as menacing as the resources you’re willing to commit to its growth.

Nantuko Shade - MTG Card versions
Vampire Nighthawk - MTG Card versions
Nantuko Shade - MTG Card versions
Vampire Nighthawk - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Undercity Shade by color, type and mana cost

Skyshroud Vampire - MTG Card versions
Entropic Specter - MTG Card versions
Predatory Nightstalker - MTG Card versions
Fallen Angel - MTG Card versions
Stone Catapult - MTG Card versions
Sengir Vampire - MTG Card versions
Hollow Dogs - MTG Card versions
Grotesque Hybrid - MTG Card versions
Earwig Squad - MTG Card versions
Indulgent Tormentor - MTG Card versions
Sootfeather Flock - MTG Card versions
Zombie Cutthroat - MTG Card versions
Gluttonous Zombie - MTG Card versions
Vermiculos - MTG Card versions
Woebearer - MTG Card versions
Wei Elite Companions - MTG Card versions
Halo Hunter - MTG Card versions
Malakir Bloodwitch - MTG Card versions
Caustic Crawler - MTG Card versions
Shriekmaw - MTG Card versions
Skyshroud Vampire - MTG Card versions
Entropic Specter - MTG Card versions
Predatory Nightstalker - MTG Card versions
Fallen Angel - MTG Card versions
Stone Catapult - MTG Card versions
Sengir Vampire - MTG Card versions
Hollow Dogs - MTG Card versions
Grotesque Hybrid - MTG Card versions
Earwig Squad - MTG Card versions
Indulgent Tormentor - MTG Card versions
Sootfeather Flock - MTG Card versions
Zombie Cutthroat - MTG Card versions
Gluttonous Zombie - MTG Card versions
Vermiculos - MTG Card versions
Woebearer - MTG Card versions
Wei Elite Companions - MTG Card versions
Halo Hunter - MTG Card versions
Malakir Bloodwitch - MTG Card versions
Caustic Crawler - MTG Card versions
Shriekmaw - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Undercity Shade provides a strategic edge by enabling you to potentially draw extra cards. With its formidable presence on the battlefield, this card often forces opponents to make unfavorable trades, indirectly contributing to your card advantage over time.

Resource Acceleration: This powerful card offers resource acceleration, an important benefit, by potentially increasing your mana pool. In the right deck, Undercity Shade can be a catalyst for outpacing your opponent in terms of available resources.

Instant Speed: One of the intrinsic benefits of Undercity Shade lies in its ability to operate at instant speed. This adaptability allows you to react swiftly to your opponent’s moves, retaining mana for the perfect moment to deploy your strategy for maximum impact on the game.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Undercity Shade requires a discard from your hand to activate its key abilities, which could deplete your hand and reduce your in-game options.

Specific Mana Cost: This card demands black mana specifically, which might not always seamlessly fit into multicolored decks that require a diverse mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a higher mana cost compared to other creatures in its class, Undercity Shade may not provide the board presence or impact you expect for such an investment.


Reasons to Include Undercity Shade in Your Collection

Versatility: Undercity Shade is a flexible addition to any MTG player’s collection. Its adaptability shines, able to serve both as a standalone threat and a synergistic piece in decks that capitalize on its Fear ability to avoid blockers.

Combo Potential: This card can work well within various combo frameworks, particularly those emphasizing creature-based strategies or needing a reliable finisher. Its synergy with other cards that benefit from an evasive creature pool is noteworthy.

Meta-Relevance: In a game landscape where board control and tactical creature maneuvers are key, Undercity Shade can offer a competitive edge. Its resilience against particular defense strategies makes it a potent player in diverse meta environments.


How to beat

Dealing with Undercity Shade can be tricky, yet understanding your deck and maintaining control of the battlefield are key strategies. This elusive creature boasts both flying and lifelink, making it a persistent threat in both aerial and health point contests. One approach to defeat Undercity Shade is through removal spells that can bypass its defenses. Cards such as Murder or Doom Blade can unceremoniously dispatch it before it becomes a nuisance. For those wishing to keep their hands cleaner, countermagic like Negate offers a seamless way to prevent Undercity Shade from hitting the board in the first place.

Another effective strategy is to diminish its lifelink value by employing cards that limit life gain or even remove abilities altogether. Declaring blockers with reach or creatures capable of dealing damage to flying opponents also serve as a robust defensive line. Remember, your overall strategy should adapt to the pace and playstyle of your opponent. Constant vigilance and a well-prepared deck can undoubtedly turn the tide against the Undercity Shade and similar threats in your quests for victory.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Undercity Shade 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 Undercity Shade and other MTG cards:

TCGPlayerBUY NOW
BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Undercity Shade has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal