Shield of the Oversoul MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityCommon
TypeEnchantment — Aura
Abilities Enchant

Key Takeaways

  1. Increases card advantage by reducing the need to replay creatures thanks to imparted indestructibility.
  2. Enhances mana efficiency and aids in quicker board state establishment with low casting cost.
  3. Indirectly influences opponents’ instant-speed removal decisions, often deterring them.

Text of card

Enchant creature As long as enchanted creature is green, it gets +1/+1 and is indestructible. (Lethal damage and effects that say "destroy" don't destroy it. If its toughness is 0 or less, it's still put into its owner's graveyard.) As long as enchanted creature is white, it gets +1/+1 and has flying.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Although Shield of the Oversoul doesn’t directly allow you to draw additional cards, its ability to confer indestructibility to a creature can indirectly lead to card advantage. This is due to the decrease in likelihood that your creature will be removed, preserving your resources on the board.

Resource Acceleration: Shield of the Oversoul doesn’t offer traditional mana acceleration, but it increases your board state’s resiliency, potentially saving mana in the long term as you won’t need to redeploy creatures as often. Furthermore, its relatively low casting cost aids in developing an imposing presence faster, especially on creatures valuable for their color identity.

Instant-Speed Interaction: As an aura, Shield of the Oversoul cannot be cast at instant speed. However, its enduring effect on the creature it enchants offers a permanent shield, making your foes wary of using their instant-speed removal, and may potentially bait them into a less advantageous play as they navigate around your newfound defensive measure.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: In order to harness the power of Shield of the Oversoul, players must account for the cards they’ll be discarding. This requirement could potentially leave players at a disadvantage if they’re unable to maintain card advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: Shield of the Oversoul has a mana cost that includes both green and white, which can be restrictive. Players running decks without these colors won’t be able to utilize this enchantment, limiting its versatility across various deck types.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While not exorbitant, the cost to play Shield of the Oversoul is higher than some other auras in the game. Players might find it challenging to justify the investment when other, less mana-intensive options could also enhance their creatures efficiently.


Reasons to Include Shield of the Oversoul in Your Collection

Versatility: Shield of the Oversoul is an excellent addition to decks that capitalize on multicolored creatures. Its ability to grant both indestructible and flying makes it a powerful tool for a variety of strategies, from aggressive to control decks.

Combo Potential: This card shines when combined with creatures like Slippery Bogle or Gladecover Scout in hexproof strategies, making them nearly untouchable while boosting their offensive capabilities.

Meta-Relevance: In a metagame where board wipes and single-target removal are prevalent, Shield of the Oversoul can offer your key creatures a layer of protection that’s hard to bypass, maintaining board presence and pressure on your opponents.


How to beat

The Shield of the Oversoul card can be a formidable piece to tackle in an MTG matchup, especially considering its ability to grant indestructible and flying to a creature if it’s green and white. When facing it, it’s essential to strategize around its strengths. Cards that force a player to sacrifice a creature can circumvent the indestructibility, as they don’t destroy but rather require a choice. This mechanism doesn’t target the creature, rendering the protections of Shield of the Oversoul less effective.

Additionally, countering the Shield of the Oversoul as it’s being cast can prevent these advantageous abilities from ever coming into play. Use counter spells or abilities wisely to disrupt your opponent’s strategy. Consider also cards that can handle enchantments directly, allowing you to remove the Shield from the battlefield altogether. These strategies often provide a direct path towards dealing with the challenge posed by Shield of the Oversoul, turning the tide in your favor. It’s about having the right answers at the right time and understanding that even the most protected creatures have their vulnerabilities.


BurnMana Recommendations

Delving deeper into MTG is thrilling, and cards like Shield of the Oversoul can be pivotal in crafting a winning strategy. We’ve broken down its strengths and limitations, giving you the insight to decide if it belongs in your arsenal. Should it resonate with your gameplay style, its dual-purpose enhancement of creatures might be just what you need to tip the scales in your favor. Whether or not you bring Shield of the Oversoul into your collection, expanding your understanding of card dynamics is crucial. We invite you to continue your journey with us, explore seasoned tactics, and discover more cards that could revolutionize your play experience.


Cards like Shield of the Oversoul

Shield of the Oversoul stands out in the pantheon of aura enchantments within Magic the Gathering. It shares the stage with cards like Unflinching Courage, which also provides a boost and a form of protection to creatures it enchants. Shield of the Oversoul differentiates itself with its unique offering of both indestructibility to green creatures and flying to white creatures, making it a preferred choice for players running decks that can utilize both attributes to their fullest.

When examining the broader context, Spectra Ward comes into focus. This card similarly gives protection to the enchanted creature and a substantial boost in power. Though Spectra Ward’s ability to protect against all colors is significant, it doesn’t match the offensive capabilities provided by Shield of the Oversoul’s combination of indestructibility and potential flying.

In evaluating these enchantments side by side, Shield of the Oversoul asserts its uniqueness in multi-colored decks, especially those that hinge on Selesnya colors. It might not be multi-faceted like Spectra Ward, but for creatures that can take advantage of its dual nature, this shield can often be the difference between victory and defeat.

Unflinching Courage - MTG Card versions
Spectra Ward - MTG Card versions
Unflinching Courage - Dragon's Maze (DGM)
Spectra Ward - Magic 2015 (M15)

Cards similar to Shield of the Oversoul by color, type and mana cost

Wellspring - MTG Card versions
Armadillo Cloak - MTG Card versions
Dueling Grounds - MTG Card versions
Aura Shards - MTG Card versions
Sigil of the Nayan Gods - MTG Card versions
Unflinching Courage - MTG Card versions
Battle for Bretagard - MTG Card versions
Fall of the Impostor - MTG Card versions
Captured by Lagacs - MTG Card versions
Calix, Guided by Fate - MTG Card versions
Wellspring - Mirage (MIR)
Armadillo Cloak - The List (PLST)
Dueling Grounds - Invasion (INV)
Aura Shards - The List (PLST)
Sigil of the Nayan Gods - Alara Reborn (ARB)
Unflinching Courage - The List (PLST)
Battle for Bretagard - Commander Masters (CMM)
Fall of the Impostor - Kaldheim (KHM)
Captured by Lagacs - Jumpstart: Historic Horizons (J21)
Calix, Guided by Fate - March of the Machine: The Aftermath (MAT)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Shield of the Oversoul MTG card by a specific set like Shadowmoor and The List, 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 Shield of the Oversoul and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Shield of the Oversoul Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2008-05-02 and 2008-05-02. Illustrated by Steven Belledin.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12008-05-02ShadowmoorSHM 2422003normalblackSteven Belledin
22020-09-26The ListPLST SHM-2422003normalblackSteven Belledin

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Shield of the Oversoul has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2008-05-01 If an effect would simultaneously destroy Shield of the Oversoul and a green creature it’s enchanting, only the Shield is destroyed.
2008-05-01 If the enchanted creature is both of the listed colors, it will get both bonuses.
2013-07-01 If a green creature enchanted by Shield of the Oversoul is dealt lethal damage, the creature isn’t destroyed, but the damage remains on the creature. If Shield of the Oversoul stops enchanting that creature later in the turn, the creature will lose indestructible and will be destroyed.

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