Shinechaser MTG Card


Shinechaser - Throne of Eldraine
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Faerie
Abilities Flying, Vigilance
Released2019-10-04
Set symbol
Set nameThrone of Eldraine
Set codeELD
Power 1
Toughness 1
Number201
Frame2015
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byEvan Shipard

Key Takeaways

  1. Shinechaser thrives alongside a diversified mix of enchantments and artifacts, becoming a formidable board presence.
  2. Its demanding mana costs and specific color combination may restrict its inclusion in various deck types.
  3. Despite mana investment concerns, its adaptability and combo potential can make it a worthy addition.
Vigilance card art

Guide to Vigilance card ability

In the strategic universe of Magic: The Gathering (MTG), the vigilance ability stands out as a powerful tool for players. This potent keyword allows creatures to attack without tapping, keeping them ready and alert to defend against incoming threats. It represents a perfect balance between aggression and defense, offering a dynamic approach to gameplay. Lets dive deeper into how vigilance shapes the battlefield.

Text of card

Flying, vigilance Shinechaser gets +1/+1 as long as you control an artifact. Shinechaser gets +1/+1 as long as you control an enchantment.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Shinechaser rewards you for diversifying your enchantments and artifacts, as it grows in power and becomes more than just a creature on the board. With the potential of drawing additional auras or equipment, it can significantly turn the tide by helping you maintain a strong hand.

Resource Acceleration: As a creature that benefits from the artifacts and enchantments you control, Shinechaser can effectively leverage your existing resources. By enhancing its abilities, you can create a formidable presence on the battlefield without the need for extensive mana investment, thus accelerating your game plan.

Instant Speed: While Shinechaser itself isn’t an instant, it can flourish in a deck designed with instant-speed interaction. This allows you to play tricks on your opponent’s turn and then capitalize on the untapped potential of your artifacts and enchantments during your turn to build Shinechaser into a significant threat.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: When considering Shinechaser, players should be aware of the discard requirement involved. Having to discard a card as part of the cost can be a major drawback, especially in tight situations where every card in hand counts.

Specific Mana Cost: The precise mana needed to activate Shinechaser’s abilities can be a stumbling block for many players. Its reliance on a specific color combination limits the flexibility and the types of decks it can be effectively played in.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For those evaluating the efficiency of their deck, Shinechaser presents a challenge with its relatively high mana cost. In the fast-paced world of competitive play, there may be alternative cards that offer similar benefits without such a heavy mana investment.


Reasons to Include Shinechaser in Your Collection

Versatility: Shinechaser stands out with its adaptability in various deck builds, excelling in environments that nurture enchantments and artifacts. Its ability to grow in power and toughness alongside these permanents makes it a flexible addition to your roster.

Combo Potential: Commanding a presence in artifact and enchantment synergistic strategies, Shinechaser can rapidly become a formidable flyer. Its interaction with proliferation mechanics or blink effects can unexpectedly bolster your battlefield presence, hinting at intriguing combo avenues.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta that’s dense with artifacts and enchantments, Shinechaser could soar to prominent status. Its relevance hinges on prevalent deck themes, making it a smart speculative pick for collectors and competitive players who anticipate such shifts in the play environment.


How to beat Shinechaser

Shinechaser is a unique creature in MTG, offering players the benefit of gaining flying and vigilance as long as you control an artifact and an enchantment. However, there are strategic approaches to counteract this synergistic powerhouse. Firstly, focusing on removal spells that can target artifacts and enchantments will reduce Shinechaser’s effectiveness. Cards like Disenchant or Naturalize are excellent at dismantling the necessary onboard conditions for Shinechaser’s abilities.

Card advantage is pivotal against decks that utilize Shinechaser. Drawing into versatile answers, such as Bedevil or Assassin’s Trophy, provides flexibility to deal with Shinechaser itself or the supporting pieces. Moreover, cards like Brazen Borrower that return a creature to its owner’s hand allow you to reset Shinechaser’s buffs and deal with it on your terms. Lastly, efficient counter spells can preemptively deal with Shinechaser before it starts shining on the battlefield. Ensuring you have these types of interactions in your deck will help you maintain control against the threats that Shinechaser presents.


Cards like Shinechaser

Shinechaser stands out in Magic: The Gathering as a multicolored flying creature with a knack for leveraging enchantments and artifacts to boost its prowess. This unique card finds itself paralleled with Empyrean Eagle, both having the ability to fly and sharing a three-mana casting cost, creating an aerial threat early on in the game. However, Shinechaser differs as it gains vigilance and gets stronger with each artifact or enchantment you control, directly rewarding a synergistic deck build.

When considering the ability to scale with additional permanents, we can’t overlook favorable comparisons to creatures such as Serra Ascendant. While Serra Ascendant boasts a powerful life-linked punch when you have 30 or more life, Shinechaser is not dependent on your life total, making it a potentially more consistent threat throughout the match. Then there’s Glint Hawk Idol, an artifact creature where its power activation hinges on artifacts, much like Shinechaser’s strength grows with a diverse board presence.

Ultimately, while Shinechaser may need a particular deck archetype to truly flourish, its inherent capabilities make it a formidable contender for decks built around artifact and enchantment synergy, offering a blend of defense and offense as it evolves with the game’s progression.

Empyrean Eagle - MTG Card versions
Serra Ascendant - MTG Card versions
Glint Hawk Idol - MTG Card versions
Empyrean Eagle - Core Set 2020 (M20)
Serra Ascendant - Magic 2011 (M11)
Glint Hawk Idol - Scars of Mirrodin (SOM)

Cards similar to Shinechaser by color, type and mana cost

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Guiding Spirit - MTG Card versions
Samite Archer - MTG Card versions
Riptide Crab - MTG Card versions
Hanna, Ship's Navigator - MTG Card versions
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Court Hussar - MTG Card versions
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Silkbind Faerie - MTG Card versions
Gwafa Hazid, Profiteer - MTG Card versions
Talon Trooper - MTG Card versions
Wall of Denial - MTG Card versions
Adarkar Unicorn - Ice Age (ICE)
Leering Gargoyle - Mirage (MIR)
Guiding Spirit - Visions (VIS)
Samite Archer - Invasion (INV)
Riptide Crab - Invasion (INV)
Hanna, Ship's Navigator - Commander Masters (CMM)
Tolarian Emissary - Invasion (INV)
Silver Drake - Planeshift (PLS)
Soulherder - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Soulsworn Jury - Dissension (DIS)
Minister of Impediments - Dissension (DIS)
Court Hussar - Mystery Booster (MB1)
Azorius Herald - Dissension (DIS)
Jötun Owl Keeper - Coldsnap (CSP)
Thistledown Duo - Shadowmoor (SHM)
Plumeveil - Modern Masters (MMA)
Silkbind Faerie - Shadowmoor (SHM)
Gwafa Hazid, Profiteer - Commander 2016 (C16)
Talon Trooper - Alara Reborn (ARB)
Wall of Denial - The List (PLST)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Shinechaser MTG card by a specific set like Throne of Eldraine, 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 Shinechaser and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Shinechaser has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2019-10-04 A permanent that's both an artifact and an enchantment satisfies both of Shinechaser's abilities, so Shinechaser gets +2/+2.

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