Shriekmaw MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 16 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Elemental
Abilities Evoke,Fear
Power 3
Toughness 2

Key Takeaways

  1. Shriekmaw provides card advantage by combining threat removal with board presence.
  2. Evoke cost enables cheaper threat response, enhancing resource management.
  3. Instant speed simulation disrupts opponents, adding tactical flexibility.

Text of card

Fear When Shriekmaw comes into play, destroy target nonartifact, nonblack creature. Evoke (You may play this spell for its evoke cost. If you do, it's sacrificed when it comes into play.)


Card Pros

Card Advantage: As a creature with powerful enter the battlefield effects, Shriekmaw can effectively remove an opponent’s threat while adding a presence to your own board, this creates a two-for-one scenario that can swing the game in your favor.

Resource Acceleration: Its Evoke cost offers a cheaper alternative to its casting cost, effectively accelerating your resource management by allowing you to deal with threats for less mana and possibly enabling the casting of additional spells in the same turn.

Instant Speed: Although Shriekmaw’s Evoke ability is at sorcery speed, it’s a versatile option that can be used proactively in your main phase or as a surprise play before your turn, simulating an instant speed interaction that can disrupt your opponent’s strategy.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Shriekmaw offers a valuable creature removal ability, it necessitates the potential drawback of discarding a card when utilizing its evoke mechanic. This can leave players with fewer options in hand, particularly detrimental in the late game where resources are critical.

Specific Mana Cost: Shriekmaw’s utility is somewhat constrained by its color-specific mana cost, comprising both generic and black mana. This requirement may complicate its inclusion in multicolored decks that are not heavily black-oriented, thereby limiting its versatility across various deck archetypes.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of five mana, players may find Shriekmaw’s Terror effect to be on the higher end when compared to other creature removal options. Budget-conscious players or those looking to optimize their mana curve might seek alternatives that provide similar effects at a lower cost.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Shriekmaw offers a dual utility as both a removal spell and a creature. It can seamlessly fit into a variety of black-centered decks, from control to midrange, making it a staple for its flexibility in responding to different board states.

Combo Potential: This card’s evoke ability pairs well with reanimation strategies, allowing you to exploit both its terror effect to remove a threat and then bring it back for its own combat capabilities. It also synergizes with effects that trigger upon creature’s entering or leaving the battlefield.

Meta-Relevance: Given its capacity to deal with a troublesome creature at a low cost, Shriekmaw has a place in metas where creature-based strategies dominate. It’s an efficient tool for disrupting your opponents’ plans while developing your own board presence.


How to Beat Shriekmaw

Shriekmaw is an intriguing creature card in Magic the Gathering with its evasive fear ability and a built-in removal spell due to its Evoke cost. It is a card that can catch opponents off guard and swing the tide with its enter the battlefield effect that can destroy a non-artifact, non-black creature.

To counter this potent card, players should consider strategies such as utilizing artifact or black creatures that are immune to Shriekmaw’s targeted destruction. Another effective measure is to save counterspells or instant-speed removal to disrupt the evocation or the creature itself after it lands on the battlefield. Leveraging graveyard manipulation can also be useful, as cards like Rest in Peace or Leyline of the Void can prevent Shriekmaw and other similar creatures from utilizing their full potential when played from or into the graveyard.

An understanding of when to play creatures and the strategic use of spells that grant hexproof or indestructible can also nullify the effectiveness of Shriekmaw’s entry effect. By adopting these tactics, players can mitigate the impact of Shriekmaw and maintain control of the game.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering the art of MTG means leveraging every card’s potential to the fullest. As a seasoned or aspiring player, you’re likely always on the hunt for dynamic additions like Shriekmaw to enhance your deck’s capabilities. From understanding its role in card advantage to strategies to beat it, delving into the facets of Shriekmaw reveals the depth of gameplay MTG offers. For players eager to harness Shriekmaw’s versatility and make every match a strategic triumph, we extend an invitation: dive deeper into MTG with us and enrich your collection with cards that promise to elevate your game to the next level.


Cards like Shriekmaw

Shriekmaw is a standout creature spell with a dual purpose in Magic: The Gathering. It mirrors the functionality of cards like Nekrataal, which also destroys a nonartifact, nonblack creature upon entering the battlefield. Where Shriekmaw gains an edge is in its evoke cost, allowing players to utilize its removal effect for a fraction of its casting cost without keeping the body on the field. Nekrataal lacks this flexibility and is restricted by its higher casting cost.

Another card worth mentioning is Bone Shredder, which denotes a resemblance in the removal-on-entry theme. Bone Shredder disposes of nonartifact, nonblack creatures much like Shriekmaw but at a lower initial cost. Nonetheless, it comes with an echo cost, which may make it less appealing over multiple turns. Shriekmaw, by contrast, offers more control over its stay on the battlefield due to its evoke mechanic.

Gleaning from these comparisons, Shriekmaw asserts itself as a formidable choice within creature removal spells. Its flexibility in cost and the optionality provided by evoke contribute significantly to its strategic value in a variety of MTG decks focused on control and tempo.

Nekrataal - MTG Card versions
Bone Shredder - MTG Card versions
Nekrataal - Visions (VIS)
Bone Shredder - Urza's Legacy (ULG)

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Halo Hunter - Zendikar (ZEN)
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Caustic Crawler - Worldwake (WWK)
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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Shriekmaw MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Lorwyn, 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 Shriekmaw and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Shriekmaw Magic the Gathering card was released in 16 different sets between 2007-10-12 and 2024-02-09. Illustrated by Steve Prescott.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 325372003normalblackSteve Prescott
22007-10-12LorwynLRW 1392003normalblackSteve Prescott
32010-06-18ArchenemyARC 242003normalblackSteve Prescott
42010-11-08Magic Online Theme DecksTD0 A482003normalblackSteve Prescott
52011-06-17Commander 2011CMD 1002003normalblackSteve Prescott
62011-09-02Duel Decks: Ajani vs. Nicol BolasDDH 542003normalblackSteve Prescott
72014-11-07Commander 2014C14 1602015normalblackSteve Prescott
82015-11-13Commander 2015C15 1372015normalblackSteve Prescott
92017-06-09Commander AnthologyCMA 682015normalblackSteve Prescott
102018-12-07Ultimate MastersUMA 1132015normalblackSteve Prescott
112019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 7712015normalblackSteve Prescott
122020-04-17Commander 2020C20 1362015normalblackSteve Prescott
132020-09-26The ListPLST CMA-682015normalblackSteve Prescott
142021-03-19Time Spiral RemasteredTSR 3311997normalblackSteve Prescott
152021-07-23Forgotten Realms CommanderAFC 1102015normalblackSteve Prescott
162024-02-09Murders at Karlov Manor CommanderMKC 1392015normalblackSteve Prescott

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Shriekmaw has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2021-03-19 If you pay the evoke cost, you can have Shriekmaw's own triggered ability resolve before the evoke triggered ability. You can cast spells after that ability resolves but before you have to sacrifice Shriekmaw.
2021-03-19 To determine the total cost of a spell, start with the mana cost or alternative cost you're paying (such as an evoke cost), add any cost increases, then apply any cost reductions. The mana value of the spell is determined by only its mana cost, no matter what the total cost to cast that spell was.

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