Viridian Shaman MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 6 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Elf Shaman
Power 2
Toughness 2

Key Takeaways

  1. Viridian Shaman excels in artifact control, shifting game dynamics upon entry.
  2. It enables indirect resource disruption, targeting opponent’s mana acceleration artifacts.
  3. Its utility heightens with instant-speed play through flicker effects and flash-enablers.

Text of card

When Viridian Shaman comes into play, destroy target artifact.

Because the elves are so in touch with Mirrodin's nature, they understand best how to dismantle it.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Unlike some creature cards that don’t offer value beyond their power and toughness, Viridian Shaman shines by providing a way to deal with artifacts on the battlefield. Upon entering the game, it lets you destroy target artifact, potentially removing key components of your opponent’s strategy and shifting the balance in your favor.

Resource Acceleration: While Viridian Shaman doesn’t directly provide resource acceleration, its ability to dismantle mana rocks and other accelerants disrupts your opponent’s mana curve. This can slow them down enough to give you the upper hand as the game progresses, effectively making it a tool for indirect resource acceleration.

Instant Speed: While the Shaman itself may not be an instant, its enters-the-battlefield effect can be leveraged at instant speed with the help of flicker effects or cards that allow you to cast creatures as though they had flash. This flexibility lets you adapt to your opponent’s plays and maintain a level of unpredictability in your strategy, catching them off guard.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Viridian Shaman doesn’t require discarding as a cost but it is important to note that when looking for a versatile creature, the lack of this or any other additional effect can reduce the effectiveness in certain strategies, causing the card to be overlooked when deck building.

Specific Mana Cost: This card necessitates a specific green mana in its casting cost, which could restrict its integration into multicolored decks that may not always have green mana readily accessible, thereby limiting the card’s utility across various deck types.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana, including one green, Viridian Shaman’s ability to destroy an artifact upon entering the battlefield can be cost-prohibitive compared to other lower costed options available in the game that can disrupt artifacts while offering additional board presence or flexibility.


Reasons to Include Viridian Shaman in Your Collection

Versatility: Viridian Shaman serves a dual purpose as both an efficient creature and a tool for artifact removal, which can be slotted into various green decks seeking utility creatures.

Combo Potential: In decks that revolve around recurring or bouncing creatures, Viridian Shaman’s enter-the-battlefield trigger can be used multiple times, turning it into a key piece in dismantling artifact-based strategies your opponents may employ.

Meta-Relevance: With the ever-present threat of powerful artifacts in many MTG metas, having access to a card like Viridian Shaman, that can remove problematic artifacts while providing a board presence, is invaluable for staying competitive.


How to beat

Viridian Shaman is a utility creature that shines in Magic: The Gathering, primarily due to its ability to destroy artifacts upon entering the battlefield. Facing it can be a challenge, especially if your strategy relies on artifacts. However, there are tactics to mitigate its impact. Firstly, prioritizing the removal of the Shaman before it’s played can prevent its effect entirely. This can be achieved through hand disruption or counterspells. If it does resolve, immediate removal of the Shaman after its effect can minimize long-term repercussions on board state.

Another strategy is playing artifacts that replace themselves or generate value upon being destroyed. This makes the Shaman’s effect less detrimental. Artifacts with indestructible or those that can regenerate also pose a tough conundrum for Viridian Shaman, effectively negating its ability. Additionally, utilizing instant-speed artifacts can keep them on the battlefield only when necessary, limiting the opportunities for the Shaman to target them. Finally, simply diversifying your threats so that not all of them are vulnerable to artifact removal will make the Shaman less effective, ensuring your gameplay doesn’t hinge on easily disrupted artifact synergies.


Cards like Viridian Shaman

Viridian Shaman offers a notable utility role in Magic: The Gathering by allowing players to destroy target artifacts upon entering the battlefield. Its closest relative in terms of functionality is Reclamation Sage. Both are green creatures sharing the same capacity for artifact destruction. Yet, Viridian Shaman’s constraint to artifacts makes Reclamation Sage stand out with its additional ability to target enchantments as well.

Another card worth comparing is Acidic Slime. While the Shaman has the advantage of a lower casting cost, Acidic Slime brings a more flexible removal option, dealing with not only artifacts and enchantments but also lands. Despite its higher cost, Acidic Slime’s deathtouch ability also means it can be a formidable threat to creatures in combat.

Analyzing the utility and versatility in context with cards offering similar effects, Viridian Shaman holds its position firmly within MTG. It’s a functional choice for mono-green artifact control, showcasing the careful balancing act between cost, effect, and utility across comparable card options.

Reclamation Sage - MTG Card versions
Acidic Slime - MTG Card versions
Reclamation Sage - Magic 2015 Promos (PM15)
Acidic Slime - Magic 2010 (M10)

Cards similar to Viridian Shaman by color, type and mana cost

Cat Warriors - MTG Card versions
Rysorian Badger - MTG Card versions
Sabertooth Cobra - MTG Card versions
Quirion Druid - MTG Card versions
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Titania's Chosen - MTG Card versions
Taoist Mystic - MTG Card versions
Femeref Archers - MTG Card versions
Lydari Druid - MTG Card versions
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Wirewood Savage - MTG Card versions
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Pincher Beetles - MTG Card versions
Awakener Druid - MTG Card versions
Brindle Boar - MTG Card versions
Wood Elves - MTG Card versions
Cat Warriors - Legends (LEG)
Rysorian Badger - Homelands (HML)
Sabertooth Cobra - Mirage (MIR)
Quirion Druid - Visions (VIS)
Hungry Hungry Heifer - Unglued (UGL)
Titania's Chosen - Urza's Saga (USG)
Taoist Mystic - Portal Three Kingdoms (PTK)
Femeref Archers - Seventh Edition (7ED)
Lydari Druid - Sega Dreamcast Cards (PSDG)
Steel Leaf Champion - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Realmwalker - The Lost Caverns of Ixalan Commander (LCC)
Topiary Stomper - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Territorial Scythecat - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Wirewood Savage - Onslaught (ONS)
Reki, the History of Kamigawa - Saviors of Kamigawa (SOK)
Timberwatch Elf - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
Pincher Beetles - Tenth Edition (10E)
Awakener Druid - Magic 2011 (M11)
Brindle Boar - Magic 2011 (M11)
Wood Elves - New Capenna Commander (NCC)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Viridian Shaman MTG card by a specific set like Mirrodin and World Championship Decks 2004, 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 Viridian Shaman and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Viridian Shaman Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2003-10-02 and 2015-11-13. Illustrated by Scott M. Fischer.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12003-10-02MirrodinMRD 1392003normalblackScott M. Fischer
22004-09-01World Championship Decks 2004WC04 jn1392003normalgoldScott M. Fischer
32005-07-29Ninth Edition9ED 2802003normalwhiteScott M. Fischer
42005-07-29Ninth Edition9ED 280★2003normalblackScott M. Fischer
52007-07-13Tenth Edition10E 3082003normalblackScott M. Fischer
62015-11-13Commander 2015C15 2092015normalblackScott M. Fischer

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Viridian Shaman has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

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