Shadow of Doubt MTG Card


Provides both an element of surprise and a draw, making it valuable for maintaining momentum against opponents. Instant speed increases Shadow of Doubt’s versatility, allowing for impactful plays at critical moments. Though it has great utility, its specific mana requirements and niche use restrict its deck compatibility.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityRare
TypeInstant

Text of card

({UB} can be paid with either or .) Players can't search libraries this turn. Draw a card.

"Your ignorance is my bliss." —Szadek


Cards like Shadow of Doubt

Shadow of Doubt carves its own niche in Magic: The Gathering as a tool both for disruption and card draw. Its nearest comparison is to cards like Stifle, which also offer the ability to counter particular triggers or activated abilities. Yet, Shadow of Doubt stands out by preventing players from searching libraries that turn as well – a hefty blow during a tutor-heavy match. Additionally, it replaces itself in your hand, providing card draw that Stifle lacks.

Squelch is another card cast in a parallel mold, negating activated abilities and drawing a card. Although costed differently, it offers a similar strategic advantage but doesn’t block library searches. Aven Mindcensor presents a similar effect to Shadow of Doubt’s search denial; however, it’s embodied in a creature rather than an instant, and doesn’t prevent the action completely, but rather limits it significantly.

Examining their roles illustrates how Shadow of Doubt offers a unique combination of interruption and drawing, making it a distinctive choice for players valuing surprise and versatility in their deck’s response capabilities.

Stifle - MTG Card versions
Squelch - MTG Card versions
Aven Mindcensor - MTG Card versions
Stifle - MTG Card versions
Squelch - MTG Card versions
Aven Mindcensor - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Shadow of Doubt by color, type and mana cost

Lim-Dûl's Vault - MTG Card versions
Malicious Advice - MTG Card versions
Dimir Charm - MTG Card versions
Siphon Insight - MTG Card versions
Fate Transfer - MTG Card versions
Agony Warp - MTG Card versions
Countersquall - MTG Card versions
Warped Physique - MTG Card versions
Tyrant's Scorn - MTG Card versions
Twisted Reflection - MTG Card versions
Drown in the Loch - MTG Card versions
Corpse Cobble - MTG Card versions
Tainted Indulgence - MTG Card versions
Bind to Secrecy - MTG Card versions
Tribute to Urborg - MTG Card versions
Vesuvan Mist - MTG Card versions
Drag the Canal - MTG Card versions
Contaminated Drink - MTG Card versions
Lim-Dûl's Vault - MTG Card versions
Malicious Advice - MTG Card versions
Dimir Charm - MTG Card versions
Siphon Insight - MTG Card versions
Fate Transfer - MTG Card versions
Agony Warp - MTG Card versions
Countersquall - MTG Card versions
Warped Physique - MTG Card versions
Tyrant's Scorn - MTG Card versions
Twisted Reflection - MTG Card versions
Drown in the Loch - MTG Card versions
Corpse Cobble - MTG Card versions
Tainted Indulgence - MTG Card versions
Bind to Secrecy - MTG Card versions
Tribute to Urborg - MTG Card versions
Vesuvan Mist - MTG Card versions
Drag the Canal - MTG Card versions
Contaminated Drink - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Mono-Black CoffersMono-Black Coffers ModernMono-Black CoffersModern League 2024-04-05
Izzet ControlIzzet Control ModernBlue-Red ControlModern Challenge 64 2024-04-06

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Shadow of Doubt provides the unexpected benefit of drawing a card while potentially disrupting an opponent’s strategy. The ability to intercept important tutor effects and replace itself in your hand is a valuable asset in maintaining momentum during the game.

Resource Acceleration: Although Shadow of Doubt isn’t a direct source of resource acceleration, it can indirectly give you a tempo boost by denying an opponent’s search effects. This hinders their ability to ramp or fix their mana, thereby giving you a relative increase in resources.

Instant Speed: The versatility of Shadow of Doubt is sharply increased by its instant speed. You have the flexibility to respond to your opponent’s searches as they occur, leaving mana open to adapt to the board state and casting it at the most impactful moment.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Shadow of Doubt does not directly mandate discarding, its niche application means it can sometimes become a dead draw, effectively making you discard it for better options when versatility in hand is crucial.

Specific Mana Cost: Requiring both blue and black mana, Shadow of Doubt can be a tricky fit outside of multicolored decks. This can restrict deck building options, particularly in formats with stringent mana bases.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of two specific mana, its cost can be steep for the effect it provides — it’s an instant that can disrupt searches but doesn’t affect the board or provide direct card advantage. There are alternatives available that can be more impactful for the same or less mana investment.


Reasons to Include Shadow of Doubt in Your Collection

Versatility: Shadow of Doubt is a card that has a home in a variety of decks, serving as a tool to disrupt your opponent’s search strategies. With its ability to counter a wide range of actions from fetching lands to activating tutors, it provides flexibility in how you tackle the game.

Combo Potential: It has a unique place in combo settings as it can combo with cards that force your opponents to search their library, thus trapping them unexpectedly. Also, as it draws you a card, it helps maintain card advantage while disrupting others.

Meta-Relevance: Given that many current decks rely heavily on searching libraries to execute their strategies, Shadow of Doubt can be a particularly effective sideboard card. By weaving it into your collection, you are well-prepared to face opponents who lean on search-based mechanics.


How to beat

Shadow of Doubt is a crafty card that can trip up many strategies in MTG. Disrupting opponents’ efforts to search their libraries, it acts as a temporary stop sign for tactics such as fetching lands or tutoring cards. When you’re facing an opponent brandishing this card, the key is timing – playing around the instant speed of Shadow of Doubt can mitigate its stifling effect. One effective strategy is baiting out the card early on, or waiting to execute your search spells when the opponent’s mana is already tied up, lessening the risk of Shadow of Doubt spoiling your plans. Additionally, having counter magic ready or employing spells that can’t be countered ensures your crucial searches go through, keeping your game plan intact.

It’s also worth having redundancy in your deck; multiple methods to access your resources diminishes the impact of a single Shadow of Doubt. By maintaining a versatile approach and understanding when to advance or hold back your searching actions, you can overcome the strategic hurdle presented by this tricky instant.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Shadow of Doubt MTG card by a specific set like Ravnica: City of Guilds and Secret Lair Drop, 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 Shadow of Doubt 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 Shadow of Doubt Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2005-10-07 and 2019-12-02. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12005-10-07Ravnica: City of GuildsRAV 2532003NormalBlackGreg Staples
22019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 4142015NormalBorderlessRorubei

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Shadow of Doubt has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2005-10-01 Effects that tell a player to reveal cards from a library or look at cards from the top of a library will still work. Only effects that use the word “search” will fail.
2005-10-01 If an effect says “Search your library . . . Then shuffle your library,” the search effect fails, but you will have to shuffle.
2005-10-01 If an effect says “You may search your library . . . If you do, shuffle your library,” you can’t choose to search since it’s impossible, and you won’t shuffle.
2005-10-01 Since players can’t search, players won’t be able to find any cards in a library. The effect applies to all players and all libraries. If a spell or ability’s effect has other parts that don’t depend on searching for or finding cards, they will still work normally.