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 |
34 cards  32.4%  26.5%  38.2%  2.9% |
| Scryfall Search | |
| 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.[1] Shadow made a minor appearance in Time Spiral.[2] It is unlikely to return again.[3] Shadow was independently designed by Mike Elliott [4] and Richard Garfield.[5]
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 the enchanted creature to 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.” [6]
Rules
From the glossary of the Comprehensive Rules (June 7, 2024—Modern Horizons 3)
- Shadow
- A keyword ability that restricts how a creature may be blocked and which creatures it can block. See rule 702.28, “Shadow.”
From the Comprehensive Rules (June 7, 2024—Modern Horizons 3)
- 702.28. Shadow
- 702.28a Shadow is an evasion ability.
- 702.28b A creature with shadow can’t be blocked by creatures without shadow, and a creature without shadow can’t be blocked by creatures with shadow. (See rule 509, “Declare Blockers Step.”)
- 702.28c Multiple instances of shadow on the same creature are redundant.
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
Instant
References
- ↑ Randy Buehler (December 20, 2002). "Out of the Shadows". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Aaron Forsythe (September 8, 2006). "Overseer, Overboard.". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (November 21, 2012). "Shadow on the stormscale". Blogatog. Tumblr.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (April 27, 2015). "Twenty Things You Might Not Have Known About Tempest". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Brady Dommermuth (June 1, 2009). "Mechanically Inclined". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Magic Arcana (December 5, 2006). "Caught Between the Planes". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.