Devour in Shadow MTG Card


Devour in Shadow - Fifth Dawn
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityUncommon
TypeInstant
Released2004-06-04
Set symbol
Set nameFifth Dawn
Set code5DN
Number46
Frame2003
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byThomas M. Baxa

Key Takeaways

  1. Devour in Shadow removes nearly any creature, making it a flexible asset in MTG gameplay.
  2. Despite its power, players must weigh the life loss against its undeniable board control benefits.
  3. Its utility remains high amidst indestructible and hexproof creatures, challenging standard removal cards.

Text of card

Destroy target creature. It can't be regenerated. You lose life equal to that creature's toughness.

"Feel the burn of the mists. Master them. They will devour your enemies." —Geth, keeper of the Vault


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Devour in Shadow offers a straightforward removal option, allowing players to deal with threats without losing card parity. While it does require a payment of life points, the ability to remove a creature can potentially stop opponents from gaining further advantage from it on the board.

Resource Acceleration: Though Devour in Shadow doesn’t directly provide mana or tokens, efficiently handling an opponent’s creature can indirectly speed up your game plan. Without the need to commit multiple cards to deal with a single threat, players can allocate resources more effectively, paving the way to ramp into greater threats or maintain pressure on the opponent.

Instant Speed: The instant nature of Devour in Shadow offers significant versatility in gameplay. You’re equipped to respond to threats at a moment’s notice, potentially disrupting an opponent’s strategy during their turn or at a critical point in the stack, tipping the game state in your favor.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: With Devour in Shadow, players must be cautious of the life loss incurred when utilizing this removal spell. Although it can destroy nearly any creature, the hit to your own life total is a strategic consideration if your health is already compromised.

Specific Mana Cost: This card demands both black and generic mana, which might not always align smoothly with your mana base, particularly in multi-colored decks where mana flexibility is crucial.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Sitting at two mana, one of which is color-specific, Devour in Shadow may seem affordable at first glance. However, in environments with aggressively low-costed removal options, this cost can feel steep, especially when other spells offer similar creature destruction effects without the life point sacrifice.


Reasons to Include Devour in Shadow in Your Collection

Versatility: Devour in Shadow offers the ability to remove nearly any creature, regardless of color or abilities, making it a powerful inclusion for decks that need reliable removal.

Combo Potential: This card can be part of intricate lifeloss strategies, synergizing with cards that benefit from paying life or destroying creatures as a cost.

Meta-Relevance: Considering the presence of indestructible and hexproof creatures in many decks, Devour in Shadow provides an essential tool for bypassing such defenses, maintaining its utility in various competitive settings.


How to Beat

Devour in Shadow is a potent removal spell in MTG that allows players to eliminate creatures regardless of their toughness or protection attributes. However, its power comes at a cost—not just the two mana to play it, but also the life points equal to the destroyed creature’s toughness. To successfully navigate around this card, consider using creatures with high toughness that can withstand the life point loss the spell incurs upon the casting player, effectively turning their strength into a vulnerability. Employing indestructible creatures or those with regeneration abilities can nullify Devour in Shadow’s effect entirely, forcing your opponent to waste resources without gaining the upper hand. Moreover, timing is crucial; if you can anticipate when your adversary might deploy this spell, you can hold back crucial threats or use spells that grant hexproof or protection to your creatures, ensuring their safety and leaving Devour in Shadow languishing uselessly in your opponent’s arsenal.


Cards like Devour in Shadow

Devour in Shadow finds its niche in the realm of creature removal options for players. Its uniqueness stems from its ability to destroy any creature, regardless of its protection from colors, making it a potent tool in certain situations. However, this comes at the cost of life points equal to the creature’s toughness—an interesting twist on the typical removal spell, encouraging strategic utilization.

Looking at other removal options, Terror and Doom Blade are both classic alternatives. While they come without the life point penalty seen in Devour in Shadow, they’re limited by the inability to target creatures with black or artifact typology. Another similar choice is Go for the Throat, which excels against non-artifact creatures but falters when artifacts enter the battlefield.

Therefore, Devour in Shadow offers a broader target range, at a potentially high personal cost, positioning itself as an attractive option for players who aspire to maintain board control while navigating around its downside. Each card has its advantages and strategic use, but Devour in Shadow’s unconditional range can be invaluable in the right context.

Terror - MTG Card versions
Doom Blade - MTG Card versions
Go for the Throat - MTG Card versions
Terror - Limited Edition Alpha (LEA)
Doom Blade - Magic 2010 (M10)
Go for the Throat - Mirrodin Besieged (MBS)

Cards similar to Devour in Shadow by color, type and mana cost

Word of Command - MTG Card versions
Terror - MTG Card versions
Simulacrum - MTG Card versions
Transmutation - MTG Card versions
Headstone - MTG Card versions
Urborg Justice - MTG Card versions
Imps' Taunt - MTG Card versions
Rapid Decay - MTG Card versions
Diabolic Edict - MTG Card versions
Tainted Pact - MTG Card versions
Toxic Stench - MTG Card versions
Doom Blade - MTG Card versions
Go for the Throat - MTG Card versions
Cast Down - MTG Card versions
Smother - MTG Card versions
Hero's Demise - MTG Card versions
Sickening Shoal - MTG Card versions
Chill Haunting - MTG Card versions
Grim Harvest - MTG Card versions
Dash Hopes - MTG Card versions
Word of Command - Collectors' Edition (CED)
Terror - Salvat 2011 (PS11)
Simulacrum - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
Transmutation - Legends (LEG)
Headstone - Homelands (HML)
Urborg Justice - Weatherlight (WTH)
Imps' Taunt - Tempest (TMP)
Rapid Decay - World Championship Decks 1999 (WC99)
Diabolic Edict - World Championship Decks 1999 (WC99)
Tainted Pact - Odyssey (ODY)
Toxic Stench - Judgment (JUD)
Doom Blade - Magic 2012 (M12)
Go for the Throat - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Cast Down - Commander Legends (CMR)
Smother - Worldwake (WWK)
Hero's Demise - Betrayers of Kamigawa (BOK)
Sickening Shoal - Betrayers of Kamigawa (BOK)
Chill Haunting - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
Grim Harvest - Coldsnap (CSP)
Dash Hopes - The List (PLST)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Devour in Shadow MTG card by a specific set like Fifth Dawn, 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 Devour in Shadow and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Devour in Shadow has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

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