Shadow
| Shadow | |
|---|---|
| Keyword Ability | |
| Type | Evasion |
| Introduced | Tempest |
| Last used | Doctor Who |
| Reminder Text | Shadow (This creature can block or be blocked by only creatures with shadow.) |
| Storm Scale | 8[1] |
| Statistics |
35 cards  31.4%  25.7%  40%  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.[2]
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. Reflecting the void the shadow creatures are trapped in, this effectively puts shadow creatures on a different battlefield. It was first seen in the Tempest block, and was revisited in the Time Spiral block.
Shadow was independently designed by Mike Elliott [3] and Richard Garfield.[4] It 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.
History
After Tempest block, Shadow made minor appearances in Time Spiral[5], Modern Horizons 2.
It was thought to be unlikely to return again.[6] However, it was one of the non-evergreen, non-deciduous keywords to be included in the Unfinity sticker sheets. It was also used as a one-off in the form of Shadow counters in the Lord of the Rings Holiday Release and in Doctor Who.
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.” [7]
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
Creature ability
- Spirit En-Dal Forecast
(upkeep only)
Enchantments
target creature
Instant
Land
Sticker
Plane
References
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (2022-07-29). "Hi Mark! Where’s shadow on the storm scale?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
- ↑ Randy Buehler (December 20, 2002). "Out of the Shadows". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ Aaron Forsythe (September 8, 2006). "Overseer, Overboard.". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (November 21, 2012). "Shadow on the stormscale". Blogatog. Tumblr.
- ↑ Magic Arcana (December 5, 2006). "Caught Between the Planes". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.