Tergrid's Shadow MTG Card


Tergrid's Shadow - Kaldheim
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityUncommon
TypeInstant
Abilities Foretell
Released2021-02-05
Set symbol
Set nameKaldheim
Set codeKHM
Number113
Frame2015
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byYongjae Choi

Key Takeaways

  1. Tergrid’s Shadow leverages board control by sacrificing creatures, benefiting those without a standing force.
  2. The card’s instant speed allows for strategic disruptions, maximizing battlefield and mana advantages.
  3. Despite power, its mana cost and discard requirement necessitate careful deck integration and play timing.

Text of card

Each player sacrifices two creatures. Foretell (During your turn, you may pay and exile this card from your hand face down. Cast it on a later turn for its foretell cost.)

Tergrid, god of fright, never acknowledges her own shadow . . . or its murderous deeds.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Tergrid’s Shadow can potentially turn the tide of the game by forcing each player to sacrifice two creatures. If your opponent has a board presence and you don’t, you benefit by leveling the playing field. Additionally, if you control Tergrid, God of Fright, you’ll gain control of any creatures sacrificed by your opponent, vastly tipping the balance in your favor.

Resource Acceleration: While Tergrid’s Shadow itself doesn’t directly provide resource acceleration, the aftermath of its effect can lead to a significant mana advantage. By stripping away your opponent’s creatures, you may force them into a position where they have to spend subsequent turns and mana to rebuild their board instead of advancing their strategy.

Instant Speed: The speed of this card can be especially impactful. Unleashing it at instant speed offers the flexibility to disrupt your opponent’s plans at a moment’s notice. Whether it’s right before their turn begins to remove potential attackers or in response to them casting a spell that would put more creatures on the board, the timing of Tergrid’s Shadow can be as devastating as its effect.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One aspect of Tergrid’s Shadow that might not always be advantageous is its discard requirement. To play this spell, a player must part with a card, which can put them at a disadvantage, especially if their hand is running thin on cards. Careful hand management becomes crucial when incorporating this card into your strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: Tergrid’s Shadow requires a precise combination of mana to cast—two black and three generic—making it somewhat restrictive. Deck builders have to ensure a strong black mana base to avoid being unable to play the card when needed, potentially limiting the flexibility in deck construction.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: At a total of five mana to cast, Tergrid’s Shadow can feel pricey, particularly in formats where speed is of the essence, or in decks that aim for a lower mana curve. There are alternatives that may provide similar effects at a lower cost, which means players will often weigh the cost-to-benefit ratio before adding it to their deck.


Reasons to Include Tergrid’s Shadow in Your Collection

Versatility: Tergrid’s Shadow adapts well to various black-based strategies, especially in decks focusing on discard or sacrifice mechanics. Its ability to create significant shifts in board presence makes it valuable in both offensive and defensive postures.

Combo Potential: This card shines when combined with effects that force opponents to discard or sacrifice creatures. Pairing Tergrid’s Shadow with Tergrid, God of Fright can lead to a game-changing advantage, as players gain control of any permanents forced to be sacrificed.

Meta-Relevance: Tergrid’s Shadow maintains its relevance in environments where creature-heavy decks prevail. Its sweeping potential disrupts opponents’ boards and strategies, making it a potent tool for shifting the tides in your favor against prevalent creature-based strategies.


How to beat

Tergrid’s Shadow is a powerful card that can disrupt opponent strategies in MTG by forcing each player to sacrifice two creatures. To gain the upper hand against this card, one effective tactic is maintaining a reserve of expendable creatures. By playing cards that produce tokens or creatures with low-value, you can create a buffer to protect more vital creatures in your strategy. Another approach is to use instant-speed removal or sacrifice effects of your own, deciding what gets sacrificed on your terms before Tergrid’s Shadow resolves.

Countering spells is another route to bypass the impact of Tergrid’s Shadow. Holding up mana for counterspells ensures you have a response when your opponent attempts to cast it. Additionally, watch out for graveyard recursion tactics which can bring Tergrid’s Shadow back for repeated use. Plan ahead and include cards that can exile it from the graveyard or restrict your opponent’s ability to retrieve it. Finally, keep an eye on your hand size. Having fewer cards in hand means Tergrid’s Shadow’s alternate punishing effect for discarding cards will be less effective against you.

Understanding the dynamics of Tergrid’s Shadow can help you craft a strategy that preserves your board state while effectively countering your opponent’s intentions. Be proactive and adaptive but remember, any sacrifice can be turned into an advantage with the right plan.


BurnMana Recommendations

Crafting the perfect MTG deck takes nuanced knowledge and a touch of ingenuity, especially when integrating impactful cards like Tergrid’s Shadow. As you refine your arsenal, consider how this card can amplify your strategy, elevating your play to the next level. Tergrid’s Shadow isn’t just a game-changer; it’s a statement of control and foresight in deck building. If you’re looking to disrupt the battlefield, capitalize on sacrifice synergy, or simply appreciate the finesse of timing in your matches, Tergrid’s Shadow might be your next great play. Delve deeper with us, fortify your deck and prepare to claim victory with every shuffle. Join our community for more insights and strategies.


Cards like Tergrid's Shadow

Tergrid’s Shadow is a potent example of control cards in the world of Magic: The Gathering. It has a marked resemblance to classic sweepers like Damnation, with both cards sharing the ability to clear the board of creatures. Yet, Tergrid’s Shadow differentiates itself with its flexibility, allowing players to tailor the impact by paying additional mana for each creature they don’t want to destroy.

Delving further into similar territory, we find Mutilate, another card that manipulates the power of swamps to determine the extent of its wrath. While Mutilate’s effectiveness depends on the swamp count, making it highly variable, Tergrid’s Shadow offers consistency regardless of land types present. Then there’s the peerless Bontu’s Last Reckoning, which destroys all creatures for a lower cost but at the significant price of skipping the next turn’s untap step. Tergrid’s Shadow avoids such a dramatic drawback, maintaining a player’s tempo post-clearance.

In essence, MTG players looking for a balance between cost, control, and strategic board clearance will find Tergrid’s Shadow stands out. Its distinctive flexibility and relative cost efficiency make it a noteworthy option amidst similar MTG cards dedicated to creature control.

Damnation - MTG Card versions
Mutilate - MTG Card versions
Bontu's Last Reckoning - MTG Card versions
Damnation - Planar Chaos (PLC)
Mutilate - Torment (TOR)
Bontu's Last Reckoning - Hour of Devastation (HOU)

Cards similar to Tergrid's Shadow by color, type and mana cost

Broken Visage - MTG Card versions
Contagion - MTG Card versions
Necrologia - MTG Card versions
Hatred - MTG Card versions
Dark Triumph - MTG Card versions
Annihilate - MTG Card versions
Waste Away - MTG Card versions
Consume the Meek - MTG Card versions
Stinging Study - MTG Card versions
Cruel Revival - MTG Card versions
Call for Blood - MTG Card versions
Death of a Thousand Stings - MTG Card versions
Moonlight Bargain - MTG Card versions
Treacherous Urge - MTG Card versions
Ad Nauseam - MTG Card versions
Lash of the Whip - MTG Card versions
Rescue from the Underworld - MTG Card versions
Flesh to Dust - MTG Card versions
Unmake the Graves - MTG Card versions
Murderous Cut - MTG Card versions
Broken Visage - Masters Edition II (ME2)
Contagion - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Necrologia - Tempest Remastered (TPR)
Hatred - World Championship Decks 1999 (WC99)
Dark Triumph - Nemesis (NEM)
Annihilate - The List (PLST)
Waste Away - Torment (TOR)
Consume the Meek - Duel Decks: Zendikar vs. Eldrazi (DDP)
Stinging Study - Commander 2021 (C21)
Cruel Revival - Starter Commander Decks (SCD)
Call for Blood - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
Death of a Thousand Stings - Saviors of Kamigawa (SOK)
Moonlight Bargain - Commander 2018 (C18)
Treacherous Urge - Planar Chaos (PLC)
Ad Nauseam - Double Masters (2XM)
Lash of the Whip - Theros (THS)
Rescue from the Underworld - The List (PLST)
Flesh to Dust - The List (PLST)
Unmake the Graves - Magic 2015 (M15)
Murderous Cut - The List (PLST)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Tergrid's Shadow MTG card by a specific set like Kaldheim, 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 Tergrid's Shadow and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Tergrid's Shadow has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
GladiatorLegal
BrawlLegal
PioneerLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2021-02-05 Because exiling a card with foretell from your hand is a special action, you can do so any time you have priority during your turn, including in response to spells and abilities. Once you announce you’re taking the action, no other player can respond by trying to remove the card from your hand.
2021-02-05 Casting a foretold card from exile follows the timing rules for that card. If you foretell an instant card, you can cast it as soon as the next player’s turn. In most cases, if you foretell a card that isn’t an instant (or doesn’t have flash), you’ll have to wait until your next turn to cast it.
2021-02-05 If you’re casting a foretold card from exile for its foretell cost, you can’t choose to cast it for any other alternative costs. You can, however, pay additional costs, such as kicker costs. If the card has any mandatory additional costs, those must be paid to cast the spell.

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