Shaman of the Pack MTG Card


Shaman of the Pack converts Elf counts into direct opponent life point reduction, offering a potent entry effect. Its Elf type allows for accelerated plays and fits seamlessly into tribal strategies, providing consistency. Despite requiring specific mana and a higher cost, its battlefield impact and versatility justify inclusion.
Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Elf Shaman
Power 3
Toughness 2

Text of card

When Shaman of the Pack enters the battlefield, target opponent loses life equal to the number of Elves you control.

To the elves, her spear is a compass; to the boggarts, a harbinger of doom.


Cards like Shaman of the Pack

Shaman of the Pack emerges as a pivotal card in Elf tribal strategies within Magic: The Gathering, bringing a unique blend of creature presence and direct damage. Its affinity to Dreadbore Elf and Poison-Tip Archer is noteworthy. Both cards share the ability to deal damage to an opponent, but Shaman of the Pack’s damage potential scales with the number of Elves on the battlefield, providing a dynamic offensive strategy beyond just the stats on the card.

Another kindred spirit in the realm of creature-based damage is Zulaport Cutthroat. It deals damage to the opponent whenever a creature you control dies, reinforcing attrition strategies. While the Cutthroat’s ability is more incremental, Shaman of the Pack can lead to a sizeable life swing in a single turn, particularly in Elf-heavy decks. Lastly, Essence Warden is an Elf that doesn’t deal damage but offers life gain with each creature’s arrival, providing a more defensive angle to Elf synergy.

Assessing the synergy and impact these cards have within their respective decks, Shaman of the Pack not only stands out for its potential for significant direct damage but also for its compatibility with the overarching Elf theme that defines its most productive use.

Poison-Tip Archer - MTG Card versions
Zulaport Cutthroat - MTG Card versions
Essence Warden - MTG Card versions
Poison-Tip Archer - MTG Card versions
Zulaport Cutthroat - MTG Card versions
Essence Warden - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Shaman of the Pack by color, type and mana cost

Harald, King of Skemfar - MTG Card versions
Grakmaw, Skyclave Ravager - MTG Card versions
Chatterfang, Squirrel General - MTG Card versions
Reyhan, Last of the Abzan - MTG Card versions
Shambling Shell - MTG Card versions
Wormwood Dryad - MTG Card versions
Stalker Hag - MTG Card versions
Hag Hedge-Mage - MTG Card versions
Quillspike - MTG Card versions
Rendclaw Trow - MTG Card versions
Glissa, the Traitor - MTG Card versions
Stonefare Crocodile - MTG Card versions
Dreg Mangler - MTG Card versions
Varolz, the Scar-Striped - MTG Card versions
Quagmire Druid - MTG Card versions
Catacomb Sifter - MTG Card versions
Autumnal Gloom // Ancient of the Equinox - MTG Card versions
Mournwillow - MTG Card versions
Charnel Troll - MTG Card versions
Pitiless Gorgon - MTG Card versions
Harald, King of Skemfar - MTG Card versions
Grakmaw, Skyclave Ravager - MTG Card versions
Chatterfang, Squirrel General - MTG Card versions
Reyhan, Last of the Abzan - MTG Card versions
Shambling Shell - MTG Card versions
Wormwood Dryad - MTG Card versions
Stalker Hag - MTG Card versions
Hag Hedge-Mage - MTG Card versions
Quillspike - MTG Card versions
Rendclaw Trow - MTG Card versions
Glissa, the Traitor - MTG Card versions
Stonefare Crocodile - MTG Card versions
Dreg Mangler - MTG Card versions
Varolz, the Scar-Striped - MTG Card versions
Quagmire Druid - MTG Card versions
Catacomb Sifter - MTG Card versions
Autumnal Gloom // Ancient of the Equinox - MTG Card versions
Mournwillow - MTG Card versions
Charnel Troll - MTG Card versions
Pitiless Gorgon - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Abzan ElvesAbzan Elves ModernAbzan ElvesGrand Open Qualifier Prague 2024
Rocco Rainbow ElvesRocco Rainbow Elves Free formNoble Spring Quarterly
Golgari ElvesGolgari Elves PioneerAbzan ElvesReCQ - Pioneer - SCG CON Pittsburgh - Saturday - 1:00 pm (Bronze)
4c Elves4c Elves Pioneer4c ElvesPioneer League 2023-11-16
Colorless ElvesColorless Elves PioneerAbzan ElvesSat. 9:30 AM U.S. Regional Championship - Dreamhack Atlanta 2023
Azorius ControlAzorius Control PioneerAbzan ElvesReCQ - Pioneer - SCG CON Pittsburgh - Saturday - 1:00 pm (Bronze)

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Shaman of the Pack has the potential to act as a significant source of card advantage in decks that are heavy with Elf synergy. The moment Shaman of the Pack enters the battlefield, it leverages the number of Elves you control to deal damage to the opponent, effectively translating the Elves’ presence into direct life point reduction without expending additional cards.

Resource Acceleration: As an Elf, Shaman of the Pack naturally fits into Elf tribal decks that excel at resource acceleration. Its tribal classification facilitates the use of other Elf cards that generate mana, allowing for rapid deployment of multiple threats, including the Shaman itself, to quickly overwhelm opponents.

Instant Speed: While Shaman of the Pack is not an instant itself, its ability synergizes well with instant-speed play. Elves as a tribe often have abilities and spells that operate at instant speed, and by combining these with the Shaman’s enter-the-battlefield effect, you can create powerful and unexpected swings in the game state on your opponent’s turn, keeping them off-balance.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Shaman of the Pack does not require a discard, but it’s essential to be aware of Elves tribal deck cards that potentially could deplete your hand to get the most from its ability.

Specific Mana Cost: This card requires both black and green mana, making it somewhat restrictive. Decks built outside of Golgari colors might find it challenging to meet the color requirements without a flexible mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Costing three mana, including one of each color, might be considered high for some aggressive Elf strategies. It could potentially delay your game plan compared to other low-cost Elves that facilitate a swifter board presence.


Reasons to Include Shaman of the Pack in Your Collection

Versatility: Shaman of the Pack is a chameleon on the battlefield, able to serve multiple roles within various Elf-centric decks. Its function stretches from being a solid creature on board to a finisher in aggressive strategies, making it a mainstay in any collection that cherishes flexibility.

Combo Potential: This card shines when combined with other elves, harnessing the swarm’s collective power to drain opponents’ life totals. As a cornerstone in Elf builds, it often serves as the lynchpin for a game-ending sequence, turning a robust elf presence into direct damage.

Meta-Relevance: In metagames where creature-based strategies prevail, Shaman of the Pack holds its ground as a resilient and impactful card. Its ability to bypass traditional defenses and directly impact an opponent’s life makes it a strategic asset, especially in matchups where board stalls are common.


How to beat

Shaman of the Pack is a key player in Magic: The Gathering’s Elf-based deck strategies. This card, pivotal in the elf synergy, deals damage to an opponent equal to the number of elves you control as soon as it hits the battlefield. This powerful entry effect can turn the tide of a game, rapidly depleting an opponent’s health.

To counter this strategy, control decks that can remove creatures are essential. Cards with removal abilities like Swords to Plowshares or Fatal Push can disrupt the elf synergy before it becomes overwhelming. Board wipes such as Wrath of God or Damnation are also highly effective. They clear the board of elves, rendering Shaman of the Pack’s entrance much less impactful. It’s likewise strategic to target the elf tribal deck’s mana acceleration by disrupting their early plays with cards like Thoughtseize or Inquisition of Kozilek. This way, you can prevent a buildup of elves and minimize the damage potential of Shaman of the Pack.

Ultimately, the key to beating Shaman of the Pack lies in staying ahead of the swarm of elves. Efficient removal and keeping your opponent’s board clear will neutralize the threat of this potent elf and maintain your position in the game.


BurnMana Recommendations

Insight into maximizing the potential of Shaman of the Pack in your MTG arsenal is as crucial as the card’s inherent abilities. As you weave this card into your Elf-centric strategies, consider the Elf tribal synergies that amplify its impact, making every elf on the board a looming threat to your opponent’s life total. Assess your mana curve to ensure a smooth play, and always be on the lookout for ways to strengthen your mana base, accounting for its specific green and black requirements. To keep your edge sharp in the constantly evolving meta, we invite you to delve deeper into the dynamics of Elf tribal decks. Join us for an extensive look into building around Shaman of the Pack and other game-changing cards, and step into the role of a formidable player every time you shuffle your deck.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Shaman of the Pack MTG card by a specific set like Magic Origins and Eternal Masters, 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 Shaman of the Pack and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Shaman of the Pack Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2015-07-17 and 2022-12-13. Illustrated by Dan Scott.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12015-07-17Magic OriginsORI 2172015NormalBlackDan Scott
22016-06-10Eternal MastersEMA 2052015NormalBlackDan Scott
32019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 7892015NormalBlackDan Scott
42021-02-05Kaldheim CommanderKHC 922015NormalBlackDan Scott
52022-12-13Explorer Anthology 2EA2 202015NormalBlackDan Scott

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Shaman of the Pack has restrictions

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

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2016-06-08 Count the number of Elves you control as Shaman of the Pack’s ability resolves, including Shaman of the Pack if it’s still on the battlefield, to determine how much life is lost.