Misery's Shadow MTG Card


Misery’s Shadow disrupts opponents and refines your strategy through dual hand manipulation effects. Its exclusive black mana requirement and discard cost limit its versatility in multi-color decks. Black creature card that strategically enhances gameplay and combo potential in later turns.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Shade
Power 2
Toughness 2

Text of card

If a creature an opponent controls would die, exile it instead. : Misery's Shadow gets +1/+1 until end of turn.

In the ruins of Kroog, only anguish thrived.


Cards like Misery's Shadow

Misery’s Shadow is a unique contender in the realm of Magic: The Gathering, holding its ground among black creature cards. When placed side-by-side with Dauthi Horror, both creatures share the shadow ability, allowing them to slip past traditional blockers. However, Misery’s Shadow adds a twist with its morbid condition, providing a power boost when a creature died this turn, unlike the static power of the Dauthi Horror.

Looking at Skittering Skirge, it offers an evasion mechanism similar to shadow, through flying. But, the trade-off for its flying is a potential set back, as it sacrifices itself when you cast another creature spell. Misery’s Shadow, meanwhile, relies on the morbid trigger to enhance its presence on the battlefield without such self-destructive terms.

Tallying the peculiarities of these cards, Misery’s Shadow earns its place by delivering a conditional power increase with an evasion ability within MTG. Evaluating its interaction on the board against other creatures with shadow or alternative evasion tactics, it sets itself apart with the potential for significant power plays in the right circumstances.

Dauthi Horror - MTG Card versions
Skittering Skirge - MTG Card versions
Dauthi Horror - MTG Card versions
Skittering Skirge - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Misery's Shadow by color, type and mana cost

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Scarred Vinebreeder - MTG Card versions
Drudge Skeletons - MTG Card versions
Erg Raiders - MTG Card versions
Cuombajj Witches - MTG Card versions
Order of the Ebon Hand - MTG Card versions
Bog Imp - MTG Card versions
Wall of Corpses - MTG Card versions
Rabid Rats - MTG Card versions
Dakmor Bat - MTG Card versions
Ravenous Rats - MTG Card versions
Flesh Reaver - MTG Card versions
Bloodcurdler - MTG Card versions
Nantuko Shade - MTG Card versions
Piper of the Swarm - MTG Card versions
Undead Augur - MTG Card versions
Shepherd of Rot - MTG Card versions
Swarm of Rats - MTG Card versions
Skullsnatcher - MTG Card versions
Nezumi Cutthroat - MTG Card versions
Stromgald Crusader - MTG Card versions
Scarred Vinebreeder - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Misery's Shadow. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Mono-Black MidrangeMono-Black Midrange GladiatorGladiator Games: We're Back
Dimir MidrangeDimir Midrange PioneerDimir MidrangePioneer Showcase Challenge 2024-04-14
Mono-Black AggroMono-Black Aggro StandardWHITE - SAT - 12PM - Chicago Standard Cup
Golgari MidrangeGolgari Midrange PioneerGolgari MidrangeHBMO24 - GenX Comics and Games Pioneer 5k
Rakdos MidrangeRakdos Midrange GladiatorSword and Sandals Showdown: AM Week 06 2024
BGBG StandardTraditional Standard Ranked Decklists: February 5, 2024

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Misery’s Shadow offers players the potential to disrupt the opponent’s hand while simultaneously setting up their own game plan. This dual effect can pull you ahead as you limit your opponent’s options while honing your strategy.

Resource Acceleration: The flexibility to choose between weakening your opponent’s resources and strengthening your own position can translate into a significant advantage. Misery’s Shadow can remove key pieces from play, indirectly accelerating your control over the game.

Instant Speed: The ability to act at instant speed gives players the upper hand, allowing for strategic play and response during the most opportune times. Misery’s Shadow can be a powerful surprise element, disrupting the opponent’s tactics when they least expect it.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: As part of the casting cost, Misery’s Shadow necessitates a card to be discarded. This can prove to be a setback, especially when your hand is running empty, and every card in it is vital for maintaining board presence or executing your strategy effectively.

Specific Mana Cost: Misery’s Shadow calls for black mana exclusively, constraining its integration primarily to mono-black or black-heavy decks. This can be restrictive for players who prefer a more varied mana base or those who like to experiment with multiple colors in their deck builds.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The cost to summon Misery’s Shadow can be seen as steep when evaluated against other creatures of similar stats or abilities. Savvy players often assess the mana efficiency of their cards, and Misery’s Shadow may fall short in lineups where rapid deployment or lower casting costs are necessary to outpace the opponent.


Reasons to Include Misery’s Shadow in Your Collection

Versatility: Misery’s Shadow brings flexibility to your deck as a powerful creature card. Its ability to impact the board when conditions are met makes it a solid choice for a variety of game strategies.

Combo Potential: This card interacts well with graveyard-based strategies, enabling some intriguing combos. It can be a linchpin in a deck that capitalizes on sacrificial mechanics or creature recursion.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where games tend to extend into the later turns, Misery’s Shadow can become a formidable presence. As the meta shifts towards longer games, the card’s relevance increases, making it a wise addition to collections with a focus on the current competitive scene.


How to beat Misery’s Shadow

Misery’s Shadow introduces a nuanced challenge for MTG players, presenting a card that can potentially be a formidable foe on the battlefield. Unlike simple creatures, Misery’s Shadow might have various abilities that impact the game depending on its environment and how it’s played, often requiring strategic finesse to tackle. To effectively counter Misery’s Shadow, consider using cards that can remove it from the game or prevent it from ever entering the battlefield. Enchantment-based removal, targeted exile spells, or negating its abilities with cards that strip powers can be effective strategies.

It’s also crucial to adapt your game plan against Misery’s Shadow by disrupting your opponent’s graveyard, a common strategy relevant to many cards that interact with or are empowered by graveyard mechanics. Incorporating graveyard hate cards that can purge the graveyard will diminish the impact Misery’s Shadow can make. Moreover, maintaining board control and keeping pressure with your creatures can distract your opponent from fully capitalizing on the advantages Misery’s Shadow provides. Staying one step ahead with these strategies can help ensure that Misery’s Shadow remains just a lurking threat, rather than a realized nightmare.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Misery's Shadow MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and The Brothers' War, 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 Misery's Shadow and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Misery's Shadow Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2022-11-18 and 2022-11-18. Illustrated by Igor Kieryluk.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 1056962015NormalBlackIgor Kieryluk
22022-11-18The Brothers' WarBRO 1072015NormalBlackIgor Kieryluk
32022-11-18The Brothers' WarBRO 3302015NormalBlackIgor Kieryluk

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Misery's Shadow has restrictions

FormatLegality
StandardLegal
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
AlchemyLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
FutureLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
BrawlLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2022-10-14 Because creatures controlled by opponents aren't being put into a graveyard, any "when
-his creature] dies" triggered abilities those creatures have won't trigger.