Shimmering Efreet MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Efreet
Abilities	Flying,Phasing
Released	1997-02-03
Set symbol
Set name	Visions
Set code	VIS
Power	2
Toughness	2
Number	42
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Thomas Gianni

Key Takeaways

Shimmering Efreet boosts deck performance with card advantage and resource acceleration abilities.
Its instant speed flicker ability offers tactical versatility during combat and spell casting.
Though powerful, its specific mana requirement and higher cost limit its versatility in some decks.

Text of card

Flying, phasing When Shimmering Efreet phases in, target creature phases out.

Life or death: which is the illusion?" —Naimah, Femeref philosopher

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Shimmering Efreet can be an asset in decks that manipulate the top of the library to ensure you consistently draw valuable cards or make the most of scry mechanics, supporting your overall card quality over mere quantity.

Resource Acceleration: With the potential to untap lands when it flickers, Shimmering Efreet can effectively accelerate your resources, allowing for more flexibility in casting spells and enabling multi-spell plays within a single turn.

Instant Speed: The flicker ability of Shimmering Efreet can be triggered at instant speed, offering you the tactical advantage to sidestep removal, reuse enter-the-battlefield effects of other creatures, or surprise block an unwary attacker, all during the heat of battle.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Shimmering Efreet card might put players in a tough spot, especially when there’s a pressing need to maintain a full hand. Discarding as part of the card’s mechanic can hinder your game if you’re already struggling with card advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: Requiring a particular blend of mana to cast, Shimmering Efreet demands a dedicated deck structure. This card needs blue mana, which might not be readily available in all deck types, potentially limiting its versatility.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that’s on the higher side for its effects, some players find that Shimmering Efreet doesn’t quite offer the value expected. There are other creatures or spells available that might provide similar benefits or greater impact for the same or less investment.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Shimmering Efreet offers flexible gameplay as it can serve multiple roles within various deck archetypes. Its flicker ability allows for nuanced interactions and adapting to the ever-changing battlefield.

Combo Potential: This card is a superb choice for players looking to exploit enters-the-battlefield (ETB) triggers or leave-the-battlefield effects. Its ability to phase out other creatures can repeatedly enable these triggers, setting the stage for powerful combo plays.

Meta-Relevance: The ever-shifting landscape of competitive play often rewards the unexpected. Shimmering Efreet’s unique mechanic can disrupt opponents’ strategies, making it a timely addition to a collection for those looking to stay ahead of the curve in their local or online meta.

How to beat

Shimmering Efreet presents a unique challenge when facing off against it in a game of Magic: The Gathering. This creature, with its elusive abilities, can be a thorn in the side of many players. It often demands specific strategies or cards to efficiently handle its presence on the battlefield. One effective approach is utilizing removal spells that don’t target, such as board wipes like “Wrath of God” or “Damnation,” which can clear the board regardless of targeting restrictions.

Alternatively, countering Shimmering Efreet as it’s cast can negate the need to address it on the battlefield entirely. Spells like “Counterspell” or “Negate” can be particularly effective. If the Efreet has already landed, employing strategies that affect the player rather than the creature, like “Mind Rot” or “Duress,” can dismantle the opponent’s overall game plan, reducing the impact of their Shimmering Efreet. Tactics that change the rules of engagement, like “Arcane Lighthouse” or “Shadowspear,” which remove hexproof and shroud, also work to your advantage, making the creature vulnerable to targeted removal.

Understanding the nature of Shimmering Efreet and having a game plan to mitigate its advantages is key to overcoming its challenging gameplay dynamics. A well-prepared deck with the right mix of spells can ensure its shimmer fades away from the battlefield.

Cards like Shimmering Efreet

Shimmering Efreet stands out in the world of Magic: The Gathering for its unique combination of abilities. Like the Shimmering Efreet, creatures such as Galecaster Colossus also offer control over the battlefield by allowing you to return nonland permanents to their owner’s hands. Galecaster Colossus, however, requires tapping and targets only your opponents’ spells, whereas Shimmering Efreet’s capability is triggered by its phasing ability, offering more unpredictability in play.

Comparably, Venser, Shaper Savant presents a similar function, returning spells or permanents to their owner’s hand when it enters the battlefield. Venser offers immediate control but lacks the recurring nature of Shimmering Efreet’s phasing. On the other hand, Capsize brings a reusable aspect with its buyback ability, though at the cost of being a spell that needs to be recast, while the Efreet’s effect is a result of its inherent phasing in and out of the game.

In sum, each card has its strengths and circumstances that define its utility in a game. Shimmering Efreet earns its place in MTG’s control strategies for its unique blending of evasive phasing and the power to repeatedly influence the board state.

Venser, Shaper Savant - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Shimmering Efreet MTG card by a specific set like Visions, 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 Shimmering Efreet and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Shimmering Efreet has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Restricted
Oathbreaker	Legal
Premodern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2004-10-04	If it phases in and no other creatures are on the battlefield, it will phase itself back out.
2004-10-04	If two of these phase in, they can both target the same creature and have just that one creature phase out.