Shadowmage Infiltrator MTG Card


Provides consistent card draw, fueling strategic options and potentially overwhelming opponents through resource accumulation. Drawing into more lands or mana-generating spells accelerates strategy implementation and sustains board presence. Enhances instant-speed interaction frequency, crucial for responding to threats and maintaining control during opponents’ turns.
Card setsReleased in 8 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Human Wizard
Abilities Fear
Power 1
Toughness 3

Text of card

Shadowmage Infiltrator can't be blocked except by artifact creatures and/or black creatures. Whenever Shadowmage Infiltrator deals combat damage to a player, you may draw a card.


Cards like Shadowmage Infiltrator

Shadowmage Infiltrator is a unique card that offers a blend of card draw and creature evasion. It stands shoulder to shoulder with popular cards such as Baleful Strix, known for its ability to draw a card and possess deathtouch. While Baleful Strix offers immediate card draw upon entering the battlefield, Shadowmage Infiltrator requires successful combat damage to a player, challenging the controller to strategize their attacks.

Another reminiscent card is Thieving Magpie. Like our infiltrator, the magpie draws a card when it successfully deals combat damage to a player. However, the magpie lacks the finesse of Shadowmage Infiltrator’s fear ability that aids in evading blockers.

Ohran Viper shares a similar card draw mechanic upon dealing combat damage, but it offers the additional benefit of being able to discourage potential blockers through its deathtouch ability. This round-about form of evasion can sometimes be more beneficial depending on the board state.

Assessing these alternatives, Shadowmage Infiltrator has its merits with a combination of evasion and card advantage, securing a favorable position amongst its peers in MTG. It’s that crucial interplay between evasion and card draw that makes Shadowmage Infiltrator a card worthy of consideration in decks looking to maintain hand advantage while applying pressure on opponents.

Baleful Strix - MTG Card versions
Thieving Magpie - MTG Card versions
Ohran Viper - MTG Card versions
Baleful Strix - MTG Card versions
Thieving Magpie - MTG Card versions
Ohran Viper - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Shadowmage Infiltrator by color, type and mana cost

Phyrexian Infiltrator - MTG Card versions
Psychatog - MTG Card versions
Satoru Umezawa - MTG Card versions
Master of Death - MTG Card versions
Urborg Emissary - MTG Card versions
Dimir Cutpurse - MTG Card versions
Dimir Doppelganger - MTG Card versions
Cemetery Puca - MTG Card versions
Gravelgill Duo - MTG Card versions
Wasp Lancer - MTG Card versions
Shore Snapper - MTG Card versions
Harbor Bandit - MTG Card versions
Nightveil Specter - MTG Card versions
Bane Alley Broker - MTG Card versions
Siren of the Silent Song - MTG Card versions
Jorubai Murk Lurker - MTG Card versions
Mindmelter - MTG Card versions
Diregraf Captain - MTG Card versions
Prized Amalgam - MTG Card versions
Rona, Disciple of Gix - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Infiltrator - MTG Card versions
Psychatog - MTG Card versions
Satoru Umezawa - MTG Card versions
Master of Death - MTG Card versions
Urborg Emissary - MTG Card versions
Dimir Cutpurse - MTG Card versions
Dimir Doppelganger - MTG Card versions
Cemetery Puca - MTG Card versions
Gravelgill Duo - MTG Card versions
Wasp Lancer - MTG Card versions
Shore Snapper - MTG Card versions
Harbor Bandit - MTG Card versions
Nightveil Specter - MTG Card versions
Bane Alley Broker - MTG Card versions
Siren of the Silent Song - MTG Card versions
Jorubai Murk Lurker - MTG Card versions
Mindmelter - MTG Card versions
Diregraf Captain - MTG Card versions
Prized Amalgam - MTG Card versions
Rona, Disciple of Gix - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
PsychatogPsychatog PremodernEternal Weekend Europe 2023 Premodern Mainevent

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Shadowmage Infiltrator offers a consistent card draw mechanism each time it deals combat damage to a player. This fuels your hand with more options and can eventually overwhelm your opponent with the additional resources.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly accelerating your mana resources, the consistent draw from Shadowmage Infiltrator means a higher likelihood of drawing into lands or mana-generating spells, facilitating quicker deployment of your strategy.

Instant Speed: Although Shadowmage Infiltrator itself is not an instant-speed card, the card draw it provides can lead to a higher instance of instant-speed interactions, allowing you to better respond to opponents’ threats during their turn.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Shadowmage Infiltrator requires you to have some form of card draw engine or external support to make the most out of its ability. Without these, consistently benefiting from its skill could be challenging, especially if you’re trying to maintain card advantage against your opponent.

Specific Mana Cost: The Infiltrator demands a stringent mana alignment featuring both blue and black, which might not seamlessly fit into all deck types. This specificity can deter the card’s flexibility and inclusion in various deck archetypes that cannot cater to such mana requirements.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana, including one blue and one black, Shadowmage Infiltrator is sometimes seen as cost-inefficient when compared to other creatures in the two or three mana slots that don’t necessarily have the potential card advantage but offer comparable or better board presence.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Shadowmage Infiltrator is a well-rounded card that earns a spot in different deck builds, particularly in formats where evasive creatures and steady card draw are crucial. Its ability to slip past defenses while providing ongoing card advantage makes it a practical addition to any collection.

Combo Potential: With its Fear ability, Shadowmage Infiltrator synergizes with strategies that capitalize on unblockable creatures. Moreover, it opens up possibilities for various combo plays, as its consistent card draw can help assemble pieces faster.

Meta-Relevance: Given that consistent card advantage is always valuable in Magic, Shadowmage Infiltrator maintains relevance in multiple meta environments. It’s especially potent in games that tend to stretch into the later turns, where drawing extra cards can determine the victor.


How to Beat Shadowmage Infiltrator

Shadowmage Infiltrator is a classic creature card in Magic: The Gathering, known for its potency in providing card advantage while evading defenders thanks to its fear ability. Tackling this particular infiltrator requires a strategy that denies its strengths or overpowers its utility.

Firstly, cards with abilities that strip evasion like Glaring Spotlight can be particularly strong, rendering the Infiltrator vulnerable to being blocked. Removal spells are also highly effective – a well-timed Path to Exile or Doom Blade can eliminate the Infiltrator outright. Board wipes like Wrath of God or Supreme Verdict can reset the playing field, neutralizing the advantage the Infiltrator would provide. With a toughness of only three, it’s also possible to defeat this card by damage-based removal like Lightning Bolt.

Upgrading your defense can be invaluable, as creatures with reach or those that can block creatures as if they were not of a particular color, like Guardian of the Guildpact, stop the Infiltrator cold. In summary, while Shadowmage Infiltrator offers a consistent card draw engine, a diverse array of targeted removal, board control spells, and strategic defense adjustments can ensure it never fulfills its shadowy potential.


BurnMana Recommendations

Delving deep into the attributes and counterplay of Shadowmage Infiltrator, it’s clear how it can be a compelling addition to your MTG arsenal. Whether you value the synergy it creates in drawing cards or need an efficient creature with evasion, understanding the strengths and how to navigate around its weaknesses is key. To master your gameplay with the intricate mechanics of MTG and enrich your deck with effective strategies, expanding your knowledge is essential. Ready to become a more formidable player? Dive deeper with us, and let’s discover how to optimize your game and make each match a strategic triumph.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Shadowmage Infiltrator MTG card by a specific set like Odyssey and Magic Online 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 Shadowmage Infiltrator and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Shadowmage Infiltrator Magic the Gathering card was released in 8 different sets between 2001-10-01 and 2024-04-19. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12001-10-01OdysseyODY 2941997NormalBlackRick Farrell
22002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 553142015NormalBlackTomasz Jedruszek
32006-10-06Time Spiral TimeshiftedTSB 991997NormalBlackRick Farrell
42015-05-22Modern Masters 2015MM2 1862015NormalBlackTomasz Jedruszek
52017-08-25Commander 2017C17 1932015NormalBlackTomasz Jedruszek
62018-03-16Masters 25A25 2172015NormalBlackTomasz Jedruszek
72022-04-29New Capenna CommanderNCC 3512015NormalBlackTomasz Jedruszek
82024-04-19Outlaws of Thunder Junction CommanderOTC 2402015NormalBlackRick Farrell

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Shadowmage Infiltrator has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal