Balduvian Shaman MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	1
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Human Cleric Shaman
Released	1995-06-03
Set symbol
Set name	Ice Age
Set code	ICE
Power	1
Toughness	1
Number	59
Frame	1993
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Quinton Hoover

Key Takeaways

Balduvian Shaman aids card advantage by potentially converting upkeep costs into beneficial effects.
Its instant speed ability allows for flexible, reactive gameplay in shifting MTG landscapes.
While powerful, the Shaman’s snow land discard requirement may limit its playability.

Text of card

oc T: Permanently change the text of target white enchantment you control that does not have cumulative upkeep by replacing all instances of one color word with another. For example, you may change "Counters black spells" to "Counters blue spells." Balduvian Shaman cannot change mana symbols. That enchantment now has Cumulative Upkeep: o1.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Balduvian Shaman offers unique utility in altering the texts of cumulative upkeep costs which, if managed properly, can effectively turn a drawback into a beneficial outcome, indirectly contributing to card advantage.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly providing mana or resource acceleration, the Shaman’s ability can reduce the need to allocate resources for hefty upkeep costs, thereby allowing you to allocate those resources elsewhere, optimizing your mana usage each turn.

Instant Speed: The Shaman’s ability can be activated at instant speed, providing flexibility to adjust your strategy dynamically in response to shifts in the game state, which can be especially crucial when dealing with surprise threats or adapting to unexpected plays.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Balduvian Shaman’s ability necessitates the discard of a snow-covered mountain, which could be a setback in situations where your hand is depleted or when every card counts.

Specific Mana Cost: This shaman operates on a narrow mana requirement, demanding one red mana. This specification may reduce the card’s flexibility in multicolored or colorless decks and isn’t ideal outside mono-red strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For the offered benefit, the Shaman’s cost might be seen as steep, especially when up against other utility creatures that bring more to the table for similar or lower mana investments.

Reasons to Include Balduvian Shaman in Your Collection

Versatility: Balduvian Shaman offers a unique twist to games, enabling you to change the text of target white enchantment you control, which can adapt to various in-game scenarios and shift the dynamics of your deck on the fly.

Combo Potential: With the ability to alter enchantments, this Shaman can work magic in combination with enchantment-focused decks. Modify conditions to your advantage or disrupt opponent’s plans by changing key texts at critical moments.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where enchantments play a key role, having a card that can modify interactions could tilt the scales in your favor. Particularly handy in casual or Commander formats where white enchantments are prevalent.

How to beat

Balduvian Shaman presents a unique challenge on the battleground with its ability to tweak the text of cumulative upkeep costs. While it might seem minor, this creature can turn the tides by altering upkeep payments to something more manageable for the player controlling it. However, overcoming this pesky shaman is about preempting its activation or rendering it ineffective once it’s on the field.

Spot removal is undoubtedly the most straightforward tactic to neutralize the Balduvian Shaman. Cards like Fatal Push or Path to Exile can easily dispatch the shaman before it starts to work its magic. Alternatively, since the shaman requires snow mana to operate, restricting access to such mana sources can stifle its effectiveness. Cards that prohibit players from searching their libraries or that limit land types can be key in this strategy.

In essence, the key to beating the Balduvian Shaman lies in quick elimination or hindering its mana base. Without the ability to alter cumulative upkeep costs to the player’s advantage, the Shaman loses its strategic value and can be more easily managed during the duel. By staying alert and employing strategic counters, players can minimize the impact of this crafty creature.

Cards like Balduvian Shaman

Balduvian Shaman presents an interesting twist within the realm of card alteration in Magic: The Gathering. It finds parallels with cards like Magical Hack and Sleight of Mind, which both allow players to change the text of a card by targeting words in their rules text. Yet, Balduvian Shaman’s ability is narrower, focusing specifically on changing the text of a cumulative upkeep cost, which limits its scope but also its mana cost for the ability compared to the broader functionality of its counterparts.

This specialist nature of Balduvian Shaman provides a unique niche, where other cards like Whim of Volrath offer a comparable service with more versatility. Whim of Volrath allows the change of any text on a card, which includes cumulative upkeep, yet at the cost of more mana and being a single-use effect unless it’s recast. Contrastingly, the Shaman’s ability can be used repeatedly as long as it remains on the battlefield and you can pay for its cost.

In assessing these options, Balduvian Shaman holds a specific but potentially powerful role for decks that focus on or can benefit from the manipulation of upkeep costs, making it a noteworthy consideration for deck builders aiming to exploit such strategies.

Cards similar to Balduvian Shaman by color, type and mana cost

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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Balduvian Shaman MTG card by a specific set like Ice Age, 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 Balduvian Shaman and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Balduvian Shaman has restrictions

Format	Legality
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 Balduvian Shaman 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	Alters all occurrences of the chosen word in the text box and the type line of the given card.
2004-10-04	Can target a card with no appropriate words on it, or even one with no words at all.
2004-10-04	It can’t change a word to the same word. It must be a different word.
2004-10-04	It only changes what is printed on the card (or set on a token when it was created or set by a copy effect). It will not change any effects that are on the permanent.
2004-10-04	You choose the words to change on resolution.