Shenanigans MTG Card


Provides continuous artifact disruption, perfect for decks needing reliable answers to such threats. Restrictive to red mana decks and entails card discard when utilizing its dredge ability. Excels in artifact-heavy environments, where its repeated use can dominate the field.
Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeSorcery
Abilities Dredge,Mill

Text of card

Destroy target artifact. Dredge 1 (If you would draw a card, instead you may put exactly one card from the top of your library into your graveyard. If you do, return this card from your graveyard to your hand. Otherwise, draw a card.)

Pricy baubles are no match for cheap tricks.


Cards like Shenanigans

Shenanigans stands out in the realm of artifact removal within Magic: The Gathering. This sorcery shares similarities with cards like By Force and Vandalblast. Like those cards, Shenanigans is crafted for dismantling an opponent’s arsenal of artifacts, but with the added twist of dredge. By Force requires scaling mana to destroy more artifacts, whereas Shenanigans can be used repeatedly thanks to its dredge ability, even though it only targets one artifact at a time.

Compare Shenanigans to Vandalblast, which can be overwhelming in a single, explosive play, completely wiping out artifacts for a higher cost. Shenanigans offers a persistent and potentially continuous answer to artifacts but doesn’t offer the same immediate board impact. Alternatively, there’s Release to the Wind, which can offer a versatile solution to any nonland permanent—not just artifacts—at instant speed. Though it doesn’t destroy, it disrupts by exiling, giving a different type of control.

Evaluating the pros and cons of these options, Shenanigans is a dependable choice, especially for players who favor strategic recurrence over one-time mass removal spells, making it a mainstay in decks that aim for long-term disruption.

By Force - MTG Card versions
Vandalblast - MTG Card versions
Release to the Wind - MTG Card versions
By Force - MTG Card versions
Vandalblast - MTG Card versions
Release to the Wind - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Shenanigans by color, type and mana cost

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Scent of Cinder - MTG Card versions
Spitting Earth - MTG Card versions
Volcanic Hammer - MTG Card versions
Rolling Thunder - MTG Card versions
Fanning the Flames - MTG Card versions
Strategy, Schmategy - MTG Card versions
Disorder - MTG Card versions
Fit of Rage - MTG Card versions
Warrior's Oath - MTG Card versions
Last Chance - MTG Card versions
Tribal Flames - MTG Card versions
Breath of Darigaaz - MTG Card versions
Lava Blister - MTG Card versions
Pyroclasm - MTG Card versions
Book Burning - MTG Card versions
Incendiary Flow - MTG Card versions
Embereth Shieldbreaker // Battle Display - MTG Card versions
Nahiri's Lithoforming - MTG Card versions
Mizzium Mortars - MTG Card versions
Burning Wish - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Shenanigans offers recurrent opportunities to dismantle your opponent’s strategy by repeatedly destroying their artifacts. Each time Shenanigans is used, it can be placed on top of your library ensuring that you steadily deplete their resources while maintaining your own.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly providing mana or treasure tokens, Shenanigans can be a vital piece in decks focused on delirium or graveyard strategies. By continuously cycling this card from your graveyard to your library, you can manage your graveyard’s contents, thereby facilitating the activation of abilities that depend on the number of card types in your graveyard.

Instant Speed: Although Shenanigans is a sorcery, the ability to dredge it back into your hand offers a form of instant speed interaction on your draw step. Between drawing a card or dredging Shenanigans, you have the flexibility to adapt to the state of the board, making it an unexpected disruption that can catch opponents off guard.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Shenanigans demands that a card is discarded each time it’s dredged from the graveyard. This can be detrimental during games when maintaining card advantage is crucial, or when your hand is already depleted.

Specific Mana Cost: Costing one red mana and one generic mana, Shenanigans is restricted to decks that can produce red mana. This could pose a limitation in color-flexible or multicolored deck strategies that do not prioritize red mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: In environments where rapid play is pivotal, the two mana needed to cast Shenanigans might be considered steep, especially when you’re hoping to control or alter the game state early on. There are alternatives available that offer removal or similar effects at a lower cost.


Reasons to Include Shenanigans in Your Collection

Versatility: Shenanigans is a perfect fit for decks that thrive on disrupting opponents’ strategies. With its ability to destroy artifacts and return to your deck to be used again, this card ensures that you’re never without an answer to threats.

Combo Potential: This card excels in formats rich with artifacts, enabling players to dismantle opponents’ setups turn after turn. Its recurrence from the graveyard can be combined with other dredge cards to maintain a full hand and a clear board.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment where artifacts play a key role, Shenanigans provides consistent and repeatable control. It’s an excellent choice to counteract popular artifact-based combos and can pivot your deck against various competitive strategies.


How to Beat Shenanigans

Shenanigans brings a unique twist to your MTG strategy with its persistent recycling ability. This card is notorious for its dredge mechanic, allowing players to repeatedly destroy their opponents’ artifacts. The trick to outmaneuvering this pesky card lies in diversifying your threat base. Instead of relying heavily on artifacts, widen your gameplay with enchantments, creatures, and instant-speed interactions.

Another approach is to employ graveyard hate cards that can remove Shenanigans from the game or disrupt its dredge ability, such as Rest in Peace or Leyline of the Void. Additionally, running counter spells helps preserve your vital artifacts from being targeted. Prioritize cards that can counter a spell or target multiple card types, like Dovin’s Veto or Abrupt Decay, to maintain board control.

Finally, speedy tactics can also outpace Shenanigans. Apply pressure early on in the game before your opponent gets the chance to establish their graveyard strategy. Agile creature-centric decks can often race against these slower, grindy strategies, leaving them struggling to keep up. By adjusting your deck to minimize Shenanigans’ impact, you can continue to march confidently towards victory.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering the art of artifact annihilation with Shenanigans takes you one step closer to achieving MTG dominance. This workhorse card, with its repeatable destructive prowess, serves as an enduring threat to your opponent’s strategic assets. Are you eager to refine your deck with this recursive tool and ensure you always have the upper hand against artifact-reliant adversaries? Embrace the strategic depth Shenanigans brings to your gameplay and exploit its full potential. Enhance your collection and thwart your foes with consistency and control. Discover more insights and elevate your deck’s capabilities with our in-depth resources.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Shenanigans MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Modern Horizons, 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 Shenanigans and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Shenanigans Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2019-06-14 and 2021-06-18. Illustrated by Lindsey Look.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 912931997NormalBlackLindsey Look
22019-06-14Modern HorizonsMH1 1462015NormalBlackLindsey Look
32019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 10572015NormalBlackLindsey Look
42020-09-26The ListPLST MH1-1462015NormalBlackLindsey Look
52021-06-18Modern Horizons 1 TimeshiftsH1R 181997NormalBlackLindsey Look

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Shenanigans has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2019-06-14 Dredge can replace any card draw, not just the one during your draw step. One card draw can’t be replaced by multiple dredge abilities.
2019-06-14 If an effect puts a card into your hand without specifically using the word “draw,” you’re not drawing a card. Dredge can’t replace this event.
2019-06-14 If you’re drawing multiple cards, each draw is performed one at a time. For example, if you’re instructed to draw two cards and you replace the first draw with a dredge ability, another card with a dredge ability (including one that was put into your graveyard by the first dredge ability) may be used to replace the second draw.
2019-06-14 Once you’ve announced that you’re applying a card’s dredge ability to replace a draw, players can’t take any action until you’ve put that card into your hand and put the top cards of your library into your graveyard.
2019-06-14 You can’t attempt to use a dredge ability if you don’t have enough cards in your library.