Perilous Shadow MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Insect Shade |
| Released | 2012-10-05 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Return to Ravnica |
| Set code | RTR |
| Power | 0 |
| Toughness | 4 |
| Number | 74 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Clint Cearley |
Key Takeaways
- Offers sustained pressure through card drawing or filtering, even during various board states.
- Efficient cost-to-effect ratio encourages faster strategy deployment and game pace.
- Instant-speed actions provide flexibility and the element of surprise, enhancing adaptive play.
Text of card
: Perilous Shadow gets +2/+2 until end of turn.
There are some shadows that even the Dimir fear.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Perilous Shadow can be an integral part of ensuring your hand never runs low on threats. By allowing the drawing or filtering of cards, you can sustain pressure on your opponent and ensure you’re prepared for various board states.
Resource Acceleration: This card can support bolstering your mana resources. By offering an efficient cost-to-effect ratio, it encourages a quicker deployment of your strategy and potential for an accelerated game pace.
Instant Speed: The capability to act during your opponent’s turn with Perilous Shadow can be a game-changer, offering flexibility and surprise elements. Instant-speed interactions mean you can adapt to the board without losing tempo, responding to threats effectively or creating your own at the most opportune moments.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Perilous Shadow mandates a discard from your hand to trigger its ability, which can deplete your options, particularly in the late game when each card’s value is at its peak.
Specific Mana Cost: This creature card requires both black mana and an additional colorless, which might not seamlessly fit into decks that aren’t focused on a black mana base or multi-color flexibility.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a cost to get Perilous Shadow on the field that leans towards the higher end, players could potentially opt for alternatives providing immediate board impact or possessing lower mana requirements for similar effects.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Perilous Shadow’s ability to grow its power and toughness gives it a flexible role in a variety of decks, especially those looking to capitalize on a strong, scalable threat as the game progresses.
Combo Potential: With its scalable nature, Perilous Shadow works well with strategies that synergize with increasing power or that benefit from mana sinks, making it capable of becoming a win condition in its own right.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where creature removal is prevalent, the Shadow’s ability to rapidly become out of range of common damage-based spells makes it a resilient choice for decks needing a durable creature.
How to beat
Perilous Shadow is a creature card that has caught the eye of many players in Magic: The Gathering. With its innate ability to grow stronger with each mana investment, this creature can quickly become a formidable threat if left unchecked. It embodies a mix of latent potential and deadly power, a combination that can sway the tide of battle in your opponent’s favor.
To overcome this shadowy adversary, a strategic approach is crucial. Think Silent Gravestone or Tormod’s Crypt, both effective tools in halting graveyard-based strategies that Perilous Shadow may rely on. You may also consider instant-speed removal spells, such as Fatal Push or Path to Exile, which can deal with the creature before its power spirals out of control. Ensnaring it with enchantments like Pacifism can also lock down Perilous Shadow, denying your opponent the chance to leverage its growing power.
In essence, swiftly addressing the presence of Perilous Shadow on the battlefield is key. By integrating removals or control elements into your deck, you ensure you’re ready to dispel the threat this creature poses, maintaining the equilibrium of the game and paving your way to victory.
Cards like Perilous Shadow
Perilous Shadow is an intriguing creature card that joins the ranks of mana-sink creatures in Magic: The Gathering. Its counterparts include the likes of Nantuko Shade, which similarly allows players to invest mana to increase power and toughness. However, Perilous Shadow distinguishes itself with the ability to scale both power and toughness evenly with its mana investment, making it a resilient threat on the battlefield.
Another creature with an analogous ability is Shade of Trokair. It shares the characteristic of beefing up its stats via mana investment. Nevertheless, Perilous Shadow stands out due to its inherent insect synergies in decks that benefit from the creature type. This adds an extra layer of strategic depth compared to Shade of Trokair, which lacks this tribal connection.
Lastly, Dread Shade enters the conversation, presenting a similar shade ability allowing for a power boost. However, Dread Shade requires specifically black mana to trigger its ability, whereas Perilous Shadow offers more flexibility in mana types, thus potentially fitting into a wider range of deck builds. Each creature has its unique merit but Perilous Shadow’s versatility in mana usage and tribal synergy might tip the scales in its favor for certain decks.
Cards similar to Perilous Shadow by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Perilous Shadow MTG card by a specific set like Return to Ravnica, 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 Perilous Shadow and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Perilous Shadow has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
