Shadow

Shadow
Keyword Ability
Type	Evasion
Introduced	Tempest
Last used	Future Sight
Reminder Text	Shadow (This creature can block or be blocked by only creatures with shadow.)
Statistics	54 cards 33% 26% 24% 6% 6% Multicolor 2%, Artifact 2%, Land 2%
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keyword:"Shadow"

Shadow is a keyword ability on creatures that serves as both an evasion ability and a blocking restriction, featured in the Tempest block. Shadow made a minor appearance in Time Spiral. It is unlikely to return again. Shadow was independently designed by Mike Elliott and Richard Garfield.

Description

An attacking creature with shadow can only be blocked by a defending creature with shadow, and a defending creature with shadow can only block an attacking creature with shadow. It was first seen in the Tempest block, and was revisited in the Time Spiral block. Shadow is found on black, white and blue creatures, while a few red and green creatures are able to block shadow creatures. The aura Æther Web permits enchanted creature block creatures with shadow as though they didn't have shadow.

Storyline

Rath was Yawgmoth’s ever-expanding plane of flowstone. When it merged with parts of Dominaria as part of Yawgmoth’s interplanar invasion tactics during the Tempest Block storyline, some Dominarian races became trapped in the interstitial void between the two planes. These unfortunate Soltari, Dauthi and Thalakos are known as “shadow creatures.”

Rulings

• It is possible for Banding to result in a Shadow creature blocking or being blocked by a non-Shadow creature. This is legal.

Examples

Example

Dauthi Marauder
Creature — Dauthi Minion
3/1
Shadow (This creature can block or be blocked by only creatures with shadow.)

Creature type

• The creature subtype Shadow became Spirit in the Grand Creature Type Update (Nether Shadow).

Cards that grant Shadow

Enchantments

target creature

• Temporal Isolation
• Dauthi Embrace

Instant

• Shadow Rift
• Traitor's Clutch