Shadowborn Apostle MTG Card


Allows any-number inclusion, enabling Apostle-centric strategies for significant card advantage and synergy benefits. Facilitates early game high-cost Demon plays through its sacrificial ability, bypassing mana and casting constraints. Instant speed activation adds strategic depth, empowering players to adapt and counterplay effectively during matches.
Card setsReleased in 13 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Human Cleric
Power 1
Toughness 1

Text of card

A deck can have any number of cards named Shadowborn Apostle., Sacrifice six creatures named Shadowborn Apostle: Search your library for a Demon creature card and put it onto the battlefield. Then shuffle your library.


Cards like Shadowborn Apostle

The Shadowborn Apostle offers a unique twist in deck building flexibility within MTG. This one-drop creature allows players to employ any number of copies in a deck, unlike the typical four-card limit. Comparable cards such as Relentless Rats share this exemption from the restriction, encouraging a swarm strategy. However, the Apostle’s synergy with Demon creatures sets it apart, providing a conduit to summon formidable forces from your deck directly onto the battlefield.

Another card that echoes the Apostle’s utility in themed decks is Rat Colony. Also skirting the four-card limit per deck, Rat Colony boosts its power for each other Rat you control. While it lacks the apostle’s sacrificial mechanic to cheat out hefty creatures, the Colony excels in sheer offensive presence, emphasizing the importance of creature type synergies.

Lastly, Persistent Petitioners follows a similar route, enabling a mill strategy empowered by having multiple copies on the field. Unlike Shadowborn Apostle, which pivots on big Demon summons, the Petitioners target the opponent’s library, showing the width of strategic variety present in MTG. In the realm of customizable decks that thrive on repetition and quantity, Shadowborn Apostle undoubtedly carves its niche, offering an alternative avenue for victory through its exceptional demon-summoning capabilities.

Relentless Rats - MTG Card versions
Rat Colony - MTG Card versions
Persistent Petitioners - MTG Card versions
Relentless Rats - MTG Card versions
Rat Colony - MTG Card versions
Persistent Petitioners - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Shadowborn Apostle by color, type and mana cost

Stone-Throwing Devils - MTG Card versions
Will-o'-the-Wisp - MTG Card versions
Vampire Bats - MTG Card versions
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Muck Rats - MTG Card versions
Vebulid - MTG Card versions
Urborg Skeleton - MTG Card versions
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Bile Urchin - MTG Card versions
Rimebound Dead - MTG Card versions
Plague Beetle - MTG Card versions
Festering Goblin - MTG Card versions
Sleeper Agent - MTG Card versions
Knucklebone Witch - MTG Card versions
Nightshade Stinger - MTG Card versions
Smolder Initiate - MTG Card versions
Kjeldoran Dead - MTG Card versions
Stone-Throwing Devils - MTG Card versions
Will-o'-the-Wisp - MTG Card versions
Vampire Bats - MTG Card versions
Bog Rats - MTG Card versions
Sewer Rats - MTG Card versions
Muck Rats - MTG Card versions
Vebulid - MTG Card versions
Urborg Skeleton - MTG Card versions
Carrion Rats - MTG Card versions
Foulmire Knight // Profane Insight - MTG Card versions
Dark Supplicant - MTG Card versions
Bile Urchin - MTG Card versions
Rimebound Dead - MTG Card versions
Plague Beetle - MTG Card versions
Festering Goblin - MTG Card versions
Sleeper Agent - MTG Card versions
Knucklebone Witch - MTG Card versions
Nightshade Stinger - MTG Card versions
Smolder Initiate - MTG Card versions
Kjeldoran Dead - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Shadowborn Apostle card offers a unique benefit in deck construction. Players can include any number of copies in their deck, unlike the usual four-card limit. This feature allows for a robust strategy centered around this creature, potentially leading to significant card advantage as more Apostles mean increased chances to utilize their powerful ability.

Resource Acceleration: The key characteristic of Shadowborn Apostle is its synergy with powerful Demon creatures. By sacrificing six copies, players can directly summon a Demon from their deck, bypassing the mana cost and usual casting requirements. This ability can be a form of resource acceleration, allowing players to get high-cost creatures into play early in the game.

Instant Speed: Shadowborn Apostle’s ability to be sacrificed doesn’t require tapping and can therefore be activated at instant speed. This aspect enables savvy players to wait until the last possible moment before committing to a strategy, keeping opponent’s guessing and strategically navigating around potential counterplays. Its instant speed interaction opens up flexible gameplay, allowing players to adapt to the fluid dynamics of each match.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Playing Shadowborn Apostle does come with a strategic conundrum as it necessitates discarding other copies of itself to be most effective. This can lead to a decrease in hand advantage and makes the player vulnerable to running out of resources.

Specific Mana Cost: With a mana cost exclusively in black, Shadowborn Apostle can be restrictive when building decks as it may not fit well outside mono-black or heavily black-influenced deck types. Deck diversification becomes more challenging.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: In the context of its ability, six apostles are required to summon a Demon, meaning an investment of six mana solely on Apostles, which could be considered inefficient compared to other cards with a lower cost and more immediate impact on the game state.


Reasons to Include Shadowborn Apostle in Your Collection

Versatility: The Shadowborn Apostle offers a unique deck-building flexibility, allowing players to include any number of copies in a deck. This characteristic caters to strategies that thrive on single-card quantity over variety.

Combo Potential: Partnering the card with demons offers immense combo potential, enabling you to summon powerful creatures from your deck swiftly. It serves as a key piece in engine-driven decks that revolve around creature-based synergies and sacrifices.

Meta-Relevance: As gameplay trends oscillate, a deck utilizing a plethora of Shadowborn Apostles remains resilient. This card is capable of disrupting conventional play patterns, making it an evergreen choice for players looking to challenge the status quo of their local meta.


How to beat

Shadowborn Apostle is a unique card that challenges traditional gameplay in MTG. Singularly focused, these cards allow you to bypass the normal deckbuilding rule of four copies by gathering a formidable army of Apostles. Their power lies in numbers, enabling a savvy player to summon formidable demons from their deck. But fear not, there are strategies to disrupt their covenant.

Spot removal may seem like a logical response, yet it’s often a trap; the Apostles are expendable. Patience is key. Instead, focus on sweepers, cards that can clear multiple creatures at a time. Wrath of God or Supreme Verdict can decimate an Apostle army in one fell swoop. Graveyard hate is also effective; with cards like Rest in Peace, you can prevent the Apostles from executing their strategy. Hand disruption is a subtle but powerful tactic against an Apostle-filled hand, disrupting their summoning plans before they unfold.

Ultimately, understanding their strategy and timing your responses will turn the tide in your favor. While the Apostles are persistent, your cunning in managing resources and knowing when to strike will keep them at bay and ensure your dominance on the battlefield.


BurnMana Recommendations

Wrapping up our analysis of Shadowborn Apostle, it’s evident how this card can be the keystone of a highly strategic and potentially game-changing deck. With its unconventional allowance for quantity and its potent synergy with Demon creatures, it presents a unique method to accelerating your board presence. Nonetheless, it demands a dedicated strategy and understanding of its strengths and vulnerabilities. If the thrill of conjuring mighty Demons and masterminding a deck around the Apostles’ singular focus appeals to you, dive deeper into the strategic nuances that make this card a compelling inclusion in any collection. Uncover the full potential of Shadowborn Apostle in your gameplay and let us guide you through each step of this arcane strategy. Visit BurnMana for more insights and tactics to enhance your MTG experience.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Shadowborn Apostle MTG card by a specific set like Magic 2014 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 Shadowborn Apostle and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Shadowborn Apostle Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2013-07-19 and 2022-07-28. Illustrated by 10 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12013-07-19Magic 2014M14 1142003NormalBlackLucas Graciano
22019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 6812015NormalBorderlessBoneface
32019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 6802015NormalBorderlessAlbaBG
42019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 6862015NormalBlackMURUGIAH
52019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 6872015NormalBorderlessRoman Klonek
62019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 6852015NormalBorderlessMeyoco
72019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 6882015NormalBlackVallez Gax
82019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 681Φ2015NormalBorderlessBoneface
92019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 6822015NormalBorderlessDiego Andrade
102019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 6842015NormalBorderlessLaynes
112019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 6832015NormalBorderlessJakub Rebelka
122022-07-08Double Masters 20222X2 892015NormalBlackLucas Graciano
132022-07-28Explorer Anthology 1EA1 62015NormalBlackLucas Graciano

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Shadowborn Apostle has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2013-07-01 Shadowborn Apostle’s first ability lets you ignore only the “four-of” rule. It doesn’t let you ignore format legality.
2013-07-01 You don’t have to sacrifice the Shadowborn Apostle whose ability you activated. It can be six other Shadowborn Apostles.
2013-07-01 You sacrifice the six creatures when you activate the ability. You can’t respond to that ability by activating the ability of one of the other Shadowborn Apostles you just sacrificed.