Wall of Shadows MTG Card

Wall of Shadows can indirectly provide card advantage by forcing opponents to spend extra resources. Its presence offers strategic advantages for timing instants and optimizing resource management. Though it strengthens defense, the specific mana cost and setup may restrict deck versatility.

Legends (LEG)
1994-06-01 - Number 128

Chronicles (CHR)
1995-07-01 - Number 41

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Wall
Abilities	Defender
Power	0
Toughness	1

Text of card

Damage Wall of Shadows receives from creatures it blocks is reduced to 0. Effects that target only walls may not target Wall of Shadows.

Cards like Wall of Shadows

Wall of Shadows is a distinctive defensive option for players in Magic: The Gathering. It shares its fundamental purpose with other walls like Wall of Bone, serving as a deterrent to enemy attacks. Wall of Shadows, however, is immune to damage during combat due to its special ability, unlike Wall of Bone which can be destroyed in combat given enough damage. This makes Wall of Shadows a more reliable defensive bulwark in many scenarios.

Where comparisons deepen is with Wall of Frost. Both are excellent at dissuading attacks, but Wall of Frost goes a step further by freezing attacking creatures, preventing them from untapping during the next untap step. This added control element can be pivotal in a game. Then there’s Fog Bank, which like Wall of Shadows, takes no combat damage, though it’s due to its unique combination of flying and prevention of damage rather than an inherent invulnerability.

While each wall has its strengths, Wall of Shadows stands out for its sheer imperviousness in combat, making it a card worth considering for any defensive strategy in Magic: The Gathering. Its simplicity in purpose yet complex strategic applications underscore its uniqueness among defensive cards.

Cards similar to Wall of Shadows by color, type and mana cost

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Card Pros

Card Advantage: Wall of Shadows, while not directly engaging in card draw, stands as a reliable defender that often requires multiple resources for an opponent to handle effectively. This can indirectly lead to card advantage by diverting opponent’s actions away from your key pieces or strategies.

Resource Acceleration: Although not a source of mana, Wall of Shadows contributes to resource acceleration by providing a low-cost, durable blocker. This allows you to allocate resources elsewhere, advancing your board position without worrying about defense for some time.

Instant Speed: Wall of Shadows itself is not an instant; however, its very presence can influence when and how you play your instants. Knowing your defense is fortified, you can save instant-speed removal or counterspells for more pressing threats, optimizing your resource management during the opponent’s turn.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Wall of Shadows doesn’t directly ask you to discard cards, it is part of a set which includes many cards that do. This requirement can synergize poorly with the defensive nature of this card, potentially leaving you vulnerable if you’re forced to discard other key defensive cards to satisfy those other abilities or spells.

Specific Mana Cost: Wall of Shadows requires black mana to play. Its specific mana requirement means that it fits primarily into a mono-black or black-inclusive multicolor deck, limiting its versatility in deck-building.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although Wall of Shadows boasts an indestructible quality due to its effect, the initial investment of three mana for a purely defensive card can be quite steep, especially when other cards at a lower mana cost may provide additional utility or offensive capabilities alongside defense.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Wall of Shadows offers a compelling defensive option for black-based control decks. Its unique mechanic of preventing all damage ensures it can hold off many of the aggressive creatures found in the game, making it a pivot in strategies that require time to establish their win conditions.

Combo Potential: Despite being an old card, Wall of Shadows can be integral in combos with cards that capitalize on indestructibility or those which require a defensive bulwark to protect life totals or important permanents. Its synergy with cards that manipulate or redirect damage can be quite unexpected and game-altering.

Meta-Relevance: With the right meta, where combat damage dictates the pace, Wall of Shadows gains significance. It thrives in environments dense with creatures, providing a reliable defense. Also, due to its age and the unique nature of its ability, it can circumvent certain common removal spells, giving it an edge in formats where such tactics are prevalent.

How to beat Wall of Shadows

The Wall of Shadows card in Magic the Gathering presents a unique challenge on the battlefield. With its ability to avoid damage through conventional combat, it stands as a formidable obstacle for many players. To surmount this, one effective strategy is to shift focus from direct attacks to alternative forms of removal. Cards that dictate a creature must be sacrificed, such as Diabolic Edict, bypass the damage prevention trait of Wall of Shadows. Moreover, enchantment-based removal options like Detention Sphere can exile the wall without engaging in the combat phase.

Utilizing abilities that reduce toughness is another avenue to consider. Spells like Dismember or combat tricks that debuff can effectively tackle the Wall. While the Wall can prevent damage, it cannot prevent its toughness from dropping to zero through non-damage effects. Players can also capitalize on board wipes such as Wrath of God, which destroys all creatures regardless of their damage prevention abilities, neatly circumventing Wall of Shadows’ defenses.

Understanding the diversity of Magic the Gathering’s card abilities can turn a daunting card like Wall of Shadows from an impassable barrier to a minor inconvenience. Exploring different angles that the game offers ensures one can handle any card that comes their way.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Wall of Shadows MTG card by a specific set like Legends and Chronicles, 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 Wall of Shadows and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Wall of Shadows Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1994-06-01 and 1995-07-01. Illustrated by Pete Venters.

#	Released	Name	Code	Symbol	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	1994-06-01	Legends	LEG		128	1993	Normal	Black	Pete Venters
2	1995-07-01	Chronicles	CHR		41	1993	Normal	White	Pete Venters

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Wall of Shadows has restrictions

Format	Legality
Oldschool	Legal
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Premodern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Wall of Shadows card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date	Text
2004-10-04	Can be targeted by a modal spell that can target a non-Wall in one of its modes, even if it has a mode that targets only Walls. That spell can, in theory, target a non-Wall, so it is not a “spell that can target only Walls”.