Shadow-Rite Priest MTG Card


Shadow-Rite Priest excels at providing card advantage and strategic creature selection from the graveyard. Its ability for resource acceleration and instant-speed activation makes it a formidable MTG card. Despite its power, it requires careful hand management and specific mana colors, limiting versatility.
Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Human Cleric
Power 2
Toughness 2

Text of card

Other Clerics you control get +1/+1. , , Sacrifice another Cleric: Search your library for a black creature card, put it onto the battlefield, then shuffle.

Backstabbing is common within demonic cults. So are front- and side-stabbing.


Cards like Shadow-Rite Priest

Shadow-Rite Priest offers a unique twist to the suite of cleric-themed cards within Magic: The Gathering. It’s akin to cards like Edgewalker, which is known for lowering the cost of cleric spells. However, Shadow-Rite Priest brings its own distinctiveness with its ability to produce mana of any color, as long as it’s spent to cast a cleric spell. This versatility is a marked difference from Edgewalker, who only reduces costs for black and white clerics.

Another card that resonates within this category is Rotlung Reanimator. Like the Priest, it’s closely associated with the cleric archetype and triggers upon the death of a cleric. Yet, the Priest is proactive by enabling more precise mana planning, while Rotlung leans towards reactive play, generating tokens. Celebrant of Bounty is also a parallel, granting cascade for spells with a higher mana cost. It differs, as Shadow-Rite Priest is better suited for decks tightly focused on clerics rather than the broader approach of cascade.

Critical evaluation reveals that Shadow-Rite Priest has a solid place among cleric-related cards in Magic: The Gathering. Its capacity to give a mana boost when casting cleric spells offers a strategic edge, particularly in decks that heavily rely on this tribe.

Edgewalker - MTG Card versions
Rotlung Reanimator - MTG Card versions
Edgewalker - MTG Card versions
Rotlung Reanimator - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Shadow-Rite Priest by color, type and mana cost

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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
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
Nantuko Shade - 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

Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Gruul HumansGruul Humans StandardLifegainThe Pizza Box Open: Standard
Orzhov AngelsOrzhov Angels StandardOrzhov Angels2023Players Convention Aichi 2023 Standard Open

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Shadow-Rite Priest provides an unrivaled ability to sift through your deck, selecting key creatures from your graveyard to give you a strategic edge. This valuable selection process is essential in outpacing your opponent’s hand.

Resource Acceleration: This card offers a stellar potential to ramp up your mana resources. By sacrificing other creatures, Shadow-Rite Priest could rapidly propel your game plan forward, letting you access high-cost spells sooner than usual.

Instant Speed: While not an Instant itself, Shadow-Rite Priest allows you to harness the power of reanimation at instant speed. This flexibility means you can deploy threats or react to your opponent’s moves during their turn, keeping them constantly guessing.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Shadow-Rite Priest demands a card discard which can be restrictive when your hand options are dwindling. This can put players in a precarious position, especially in the late game where every card counts.

Specific Mana Cost: Requiring both black and green mana, Shadow-Rite Priest has a color-specific cost, potentially complicating its inclusion in decks that aren’t closely tied to these colors, hindering its versatility.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value that’s on the upper end for its effect, players might find it less appealing compared to other options. This higher investment may not always equate to a proportionate payoff, particularly in faster, more aggressive formats where mana efficiency is key.


Reasons to Include Shadow-Rite Priest in Your Collection

Versatility: Shadow-Rite Priest offers a flexible role in various deck archetypes. As a creature that can impact the board state, it’s valuable in decks that synergize with its ability to sacrifice creatures for specific benefits, such as life gain or powering up graveyard strategies.

Combo Potential: With the right setup, Shadow-Rite Priest serves as a critical combo piece. Its ability to convert creatures into a resource opens up avenues for combinations with cards that have death triggers or benefit from creatures entering the graveyard. It’s a boon for decks that thrive on such interactions.

Meta-Relevance: Depending on the current meta, where graveyard mechanics or the need for consistent life-gain is prevalent, Shadow-Rite Priest could prove to be particularly effective. Its utility in these scenarios makes it a worthy consideration for players looking to refine their strategy against popular decks.


How to beat

The Shadow-Rite Priest card introduces a captivating challenge within the MTG realm. This potent card stands out with its ability to not only inhibit opponent strategies but also offer an edge through life gain and creature revival. It’s a versatile asset that can turn the tides of a game when played astutely.

To successfully navigate a duel against Shadow-Rite Priest, focus on removal strategies that can handle both creatures and enchantments. Cards like Banishing Light come in handy, removing it from play without triggering any of its potentially game-altering effects. Board wipes such as Wrath of God can also be effective, as they clear the priest along with other threats. It’s crucial to maintain a pace where the priest cannot leverage its abilities to the fullest. Timing is of the essence; act swiftly before it can resurrect formidable creatures from the graveyard.

In essence, countering Shadow-Rite Priest calls for a balanced approach combining threat assessment and timely reactions. Whether you neutralize the priest before it becomes a larger problem or manage the battlefield in a way that mitigates its impact, a stratagem hinged on foresight and flexibility is your best bet to overcome this formidable card.


BurnMana Recommendations

With the strategic card insights on Shadow-Rite Priest, both its strengths and weaknesses are illuminated. Recognizing the role this card can play in your deck is crucial for gaining the upper hand. While it shines in synergistic strategies, be mindful of the specific mana and discard requirements it entails. Remember, the right combination of cards and strategy can turn Shadow-Rite Priest from a mere role player into a powerhouse. Don’t stop at understanding its attributes; discover how to integrate this card into your arsenal effectively. Ready to broaden your MTG knowledge and deck-building skills? Engage with our community and deepen your gameplay experience.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Shadow-Rite Priest MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Dominaria United Promos, 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-Rite Priest and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Shadow-Rite Priest Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2022-09-09 and 2022-09-09. Illustrated by Michael C. Hayes.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 1034262015NormalBlackMichael C. Hayes
22022-09-09Dominaria United PromosPDMU 106p2015NormalBlackMichael C. Hayes
32022-09-09Dominaria UnitedDMU 1062015NormalBlackMichael C. Hayes
42022-09-09Dominaria United PromosPDMU 106s2015NormalBlackMichael C. Hayes
52022-09-09Dominaria UnitedDMU 4032015NormalBlackMichael C. Hayes

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Shadow-Rite Priest has restrictions

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