Nantuko Shade MTG Card


Nantuko Shade is a versatile creature card offering strategic power-ups in mana-rich black decks. This card excels in the late game, where ample mana can transform it into a formidable force on the battlefield. It’s a classic choice for players fond of mono-black control decks, combining both aggressiveness and flexibility.
Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Insect Shade
Power 2
Toughness 1

Text of card

o B: Nantuko Shade gets +1/+1 until end of turn.

"If the Nantuko only knew what awaits them beyond death, they would abandon all they hold dear." —Cabal Patriarch


Cards like Nantuko Shade

Diving into the realm of Magic: The Gathering reveals a trove of efficient, aggressive creatures. Under this category fits our protagonist, Nantuko Shade and a few others that stand their ground through stringent comparisons. An example in this cluster would be Dread Shade. Like Nantuko Shade, Dread Shade also enables players to spend one black mana to augment its power and toughness by +1/+1. However, Dread Shade’s restriction to a monoblack deck due to its mana cost, sets Nantuko Shade in advantage.

Meanwhile, another challenger on this list is a card like Vampire Nighthawk. This card boasts of Deathtouch and Lifelink abilities in addition to its power/toughness of 2/3. While realistically tougher, a head-to-head competition sees Nantuko Shade’s seemingly low initial stats morph into formidable strengths with an engine of abundant black mana in play.

Consequently, when choosing between options, players need to weigh the pros and cons. Factoring in deck construction, individual preferences, and dynamic play strategies influence the preference between Nantuko Shade and the other cards. Nevertheless, Nantuko Shade is worthy of consideration, with its potential for explosive growth and flexibility in different types of decks.

Dread Shade - MTG Card versions
Vampire Nighthawk - MTG Card versions
Dread Shade - MTG Card versions
Vampire Nighthawk - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Nantuko Shade by color, type and mana cost

Drudge Skeletons - MTG Card versions
Nether Shadow - MTG Card versions
Erg Raiders - MTG Card versions
Cyclopean Mummy - 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
Blighted Shaman - 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
Piper of the Swarm - MTG Card versions
Undead Augur - MTG Card versions
Black Knight - MTG Card versions
Shepherd of Rot - MTG Card versions
Swarm of Rats - MTG Card versions
Skullsnatcher - MTG Card versions
Drudge Skeletons - MTG Card versions
Nether Shadow - MTG Card versions
Erg Raiders - MTG Card versions
Cyclopean Mummy - 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
Blighted Shaman - 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
Piper of the Swarm - MTG Card versions
Undead Augur - MTG Card versions
Black Knight - MTG Card versions
Shepherd of Rot - MTG Card versions
Swarm of Rats - MTG Card versions
Skullsnatcher - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Nantuko Shade. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Deadguy AleDeadguy Ale PremodernEternal Weekend Europe 2023 Premodern Mainevent
Orzhov ControlOrzhov Control PremodernEternal Weekend Europe 2023 Premodern Mainevent

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Nantuko Shade Mtg excels in ensuring card advantage. It requires a significantly small amount of mana investment to muster a powerful onslaught. This leaves room for you to play other higher-costing or strategic cards, establishing a robust upper hand in the game.

Resource Acceleration: The strength of Nantuko Shade lies in its resource acceleration abilities. A mere two black mana is needed to cast it initially which can then be fueled further to increase the creature’s power. This acceleration can be a game-changer, making this card one of the highlights of your MTG deck.

Instant Speed: Though Nantuko Shade doesn’t leverage instant speed directly, it plays well with others that do. Its ability can be activated as many times as you like and at any time you have the required mana, making it a critical play during your opponent’s turn that could tip the scales in your favor.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The stipulation for Nantuko Shade requires you to lose a card to activate its ability, which could put you at a disadvantage, particularly when working with limited resources.

Specific Mana Cost: Commanding a finite color mana, specifically black, it’s applicability gets restricted. This makes Nantuko Shade less versatile as it can only find its way into mono-black decks or dual color decks with black.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The high pricing of Nantuko Shade’s activation cost can be unappealing. You would typically pay one black mana for its power boost, however, in the fast-paced world of Magic the Gathering, this can add up quickly especially when compared with other creatures providing similar benefits at a lower cost.


Reasons to Include Nantuko Shade in Your Collection

Versatility: Nantuko Shade can find a place in almost any variation of black decks. Its ability to gain +1/+1 for one black mana can be a game changer, allowing it to swing battles in your favor or block larger threats.

Combo Potential: Combine Nantuko Shade’s ability with spells or abilities that generate extra mana, and you’re looking at a creature that has immense potential to grow. This flexibility opens up dynamic strategies that can catch your opponents off guard.

Meta-Relevance: Nantuko Shade is one of those cards that adapts well with changes in the meta-game. Whether the tempo favors control or aggressive decks, a beefed-up Nantuko Shade can provide significant board presence and challenge your opponents.


How to beat

Conquering the formidable Nantuko Shade in MTG requires strategic play. This creature, boasting notable power, can be a daunting challenge. However, with the right cards like Ghostly Prison, excessive mana expenditure on behalf of the opponent can be forced to attack. This strategy effectively restricts Nantuko Shade’s potential, as its strength lies in its ability to consume vast mana for boosted power.

Favoring a deck with abundant colorless spells or cards like Honor of the Pure targeting color-specific creatures can also offset Nantuko Shade’s power. The void of black-mana dependent creatures poises these cards as formidable opponents against it.

Another game-changer is a forceful removal of Nantuko Shade early in the game using spells that circumvent its high toughness like Unmake, thus not permitting an opportunity for its power buildup.

In summary, defeating Nantuko Shade in MTG game hinge on strategic card deployment, focused on curtailing its mana-consuming strength and exploiting its color-loyalty weakness. This distracts from its relentlessly-scalable power, positioning for victory.


Conclusion

In conclusion, mastering Magic the Gathering is an ongoing journey that rewards strategic thinking and a passion for discovery. Nantuko Shade represents a piece of this complex puzzle, showcasing the game’s depth and the importance of smart deck composition. Whether enhancing your own collection or seeking to understand the intricacies of the game, there’s always something new on the horizon. As you forge ahead, we encourage you to dive deeper, embracing the rich world of MTG. To sharpen your skills, learn about the latest strategies, and to find more hidden gems like Nantuko Shade, continue your adventure with us. Become a part of the thriving MTG community and ascend to new heights in the art of the duel.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Nantuko Shade MTG card by a specific set like Torment and Magic 2011, 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 Nantuko Shade and other MTG cards:

TCGPlayerBUY NOW
BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Printings

The Nantuko Shade Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2002-02-04 and 2023-01-13. Illustrated by Brian Snõddy.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-02-04TormentTOR 741997NormalBlackBrian Snõddy
22010-07-16Magic 2011M11 1062003NormalBlackBrian Snõddy
32014-11-07Commander 2014C14 1512015NormalBlackBrian Snõddy
42023-01-13Dominaria RemasteredDMR 922015NormalBlackBrian Snõddy
52023-01-13Dominaria RemasteredDMR 3061997NormalBlackBrian Snõddy

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Nantuko Shade has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal