Shinka, the Bloodsoaked Keep MTG Card


Shinka is a pivotal card, especially for red decks, providing combat advantages with minimal cost. Limited by color and mana, its utility may not be optimal for every play or deck type. Despite restrictions, the strategic value of Shinka in red commander decks is considerable.
Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
RarityRare
TypeLegendary Land

Text of card

: Add to your mana pool. , : Target legendary creature gains first strike until end of turn.

The glow from within looks inviting, but woe awaits whomever finds out who stokes the fire or what simmers in the pot.


Cards like Shinka, the Bloodsoaked Keep

Shinka, the Bloodsoaked Keep offers a distinctive twist on land cards in Magic: The Gathering. In the realm of nonbasic lands that provide colored mana without entering the battlefield tapped, Shinka is particularly noteworthy. Comparable cards, like Foreboding Ruins, also tap for red mana but can arrive on the field tapped, depending on the other cards you possess. While both lands add flexibility to your mana base, Shinka also grants an additional feature, giving your legendary creatures first strike for a cost. This can turn the tide during combat, acting as both a mana source and a tactical advantage.

Another card to consider is Keldon Megaliths. Though entering the battlefield tapped and potentially cycling out of usefulness since it requires you to have no cards in hand to become untapped, it does offer a method of dealing direct damage. Unlike Shinka, Keldon Megaliths provides an aggressive option, yet lacks the surprise combat ability. Furthermore, Hall of the Bandit Lord has similarities in empowering creatures—this time with haste instead of first strike—but it comes at the cost of 3 life, making Shinka a less risky option.

Ultimately, what sets Shinka, the Bloodsoaked Keep apart is its seamless integration into a red deck, especially one with legendary creatures, offering an added layer of strategy without significant downside.

Foreboding Ruins - MTG Card versions
Keldon Megaliths - MTG Card versions
Hall of the Bandit Lord - MTG Card versions
Foreboding Ruins - MTG Card versions
Keldon Megaliths - MTG Card versions
Hall of the Bandit Lord - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Shinka, the Bloodsoaked Keep by color, type and mana cost

Mountain - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Ruins - MTG Card versions
Dormant Volcano - MTG Card versions
Sandstone Needle - MTG Card versions
Valakut, the Molten Pinnacle - MTG Card versions
Ghitu Encampment - MTG Card versions
Vivid Crag - MTG Card versions
Blighted Gorge - MTG Card versions
Snow-Covered Mountain - MTG Card versions
Forgotten Cave - MTG Card versions
Castle Embereth - MTG Card versions
Desert of the Fervent - MTG Card versions
Kazuul's Fury // Kazuul's Cliffs - MTG Card versions
Valakut Awakening // Valakut Stoneforge - MTG Card versions
Spikefield Hazard // Spikefield Cave - MTG Card versions
Shivan Gorge - MTG Card versions
Flamekin Village - MTG Card versions
Goblin Burrows - MTG Card versions
Den of the Bugbear - MTG Card versions
Sokenzan, Crucible of Defiance - MTG Card versions
Mountain - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Ruins - MTG Card versions
Dormant Volcano - MTG Card versions
Sandstone Needle - MTG Card versions
Valakut, the Molten Pinnacle - MTG Card versions
Ghitu Encampment - MTG Card versions
Vivid Crag - MTG Card versions
Blighted Gorge - MTG Card versions
Snow-Covered Mountain - MTG Card versions
Forgotten Cave - MTG Card versions
Castle Embereth - MTG Card versions
Desert of the Fervent - MTG Card versions
Kazuul's Fury // Kazuul's Cliffs - MTG Card versions
Valakut Awakening // Valakut Stoneforge - MTG Card versions
Spikefield Hazard // Spikefield Cave - MTG Card versions
Shivan Gorge - MTG Card versions
Flamekin Village - MTG Card versions
Goblin Burrows - MTG Card versions
Den of the Bugbear - MTG Card versions
Sokenzan, Crucible of Defiance - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Bushwhacker ZooBushwhacker Zoo ModernBushwhacker ZooModern League 2024-04-27
Rakdos MidrangeRakdos Midrange ModernRakdos MidrangeModern League 2024-04-07
Boros AggroBoros Aggro ModernBoros Legends Aggro$10K RCQ - Modern - SCG CON Atlanta - Saturday - 9:00 am (Gold)
Mono-Red AggroMono-Red Aggro ModernAsmo FoodGrand Open Qualifier Prague 2024
Asmo FoodAsmo Food ModernAsmo FoodModern Challenge 64 2024-02-24
Obosh AggroObosh Aggro ModernObosh AggroModern League 2024-03-30
Mono-Red MadnessMono-Red Madness ModernVengevineHBMO24 - Sunday Modern ReCQ
Gruul AsmoGruul Asmo ModernVengevine2024 Hunter Burton Memorial Open
Mono-Black BurnMono-Black Burn ModernAsmo Food$5K RCQ - Modern - SCG CON Philadelphia - Friday - 1:00 pm
Gruul BreachGruul Breach ModernGruul Aggro$5K RCQ - Modern - SCG CON Philadelphia - Friday - 1:00 pm

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Shinka, the Bloodsoaked Keep doesn’t directly provide card draw, but it’s an invaluable land that can fit seamlessly into your deck without taking up a spell slot. Its utility in enhancing your creatures’ abilities is a strategic asset that can indirectly lead to card advantage by bolstering your board presence and preserving your creatures against threats.

Resource Acceleration: As a legendary land, Shinka offers immediate access to red mana without the drawback of entering the battlefield tapped. This acceleration allows for a smoother and faster development of your game plan, enabling you to deploy threats and react to your opponents’ moves more efficiently.

Instant Speed: What sets Shinka apart is its ability to give a legendary creature first strike at instant speed. This capability can be subtly integrated into your combat strategy, catching opponents off guard during battles. Timing this activation right can be the difference between losing a key creature and decimating an opponent’s attack, often without the need for additional spells or resources.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One of the drawbacks for Shinka, the Bloodsoaked Keep is the lack of an immediate impact upon entering the battlefield. Unlike other lands that might offer utility or a mana boost, Shinka simply sits as a mana source without offering extra value.

Specific Mana Cost: This card requires red mana in your mana pool to activate its ability. This can be restrictive since the ability’s use is strictly tied to red-centered decks, limiting its versatility in decks that run multiple colors or those that have minimal red mana sources.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: In terms of resource investment, having to pay red mana to give a legendary creature first strike may not always represent the best use of your mana during a turn. In competitive play, where mana efficiency is key, there may be more impactful ways to utilize your resources.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Shinka, the Bloodsoaked Keep can seamlessly fit into red commander decks or any build seeking to utilize its legendary land status. Its ability to grant first strike can be invaluable in combat, potentially altering the outcome of battles in your favor.

Combo Potential: As a land with minimal opportunity cost, Shinka’s capacity to synergize with creatures that benefit from first strike creates numerous strategic combinations. It pairs well with creatures that have must-answer triggered abilities when they deal combat damage.

Meta-Relevance: With metas that heavily involve combat, Shinka can be a strategic asset. Its passive ability to elevate creatures’ combat capabilities keeps it relevant, especially in competitive environments where advantageous combat interactions can turn the tide of the game.


How to beat

Shinka, the Bloodsoaked Keep is a legendary land card that offers a strategic enhancement to red creatures, granting first strike capability which can be decisive in combat. To effectively counter this, planning and deck construction need to consider options that neutralize or circumvent Shinka’s advantages. Cards that prevent the assignment of first strike, such as instant spells that remove creatures before the combat phase, can be essential. Similarly, deploying creatures with superior toughness or using enchantments that limit combat benefits can also mitigate the edge Shinka provides.

Incorporating board wipes into your strategy is another sound mechanism, as these spells clear the battlefield of all creatures, effectively bypassing Shinka’s influence on combat outcomes. Additionally, prioritizing removal of key offensive creatures that benefit most from first strike can limit the Keep’s impact. Remember that Shinka requires open mana to activate, so pressure on the opponent’s mana resources can also restrict its use. With careful planning and card selection, it’s possible to diminish the strategic advantage Shinka, the Bloodsoaked Keep brings to the battlefield.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Shinka, the Bloodsoaked Keep MTG card by a specific set like Champions of Kamigawa and The List, 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 Shinka, the Bloodsoaked Keep and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Shinka, the Bloodsoaked Keep Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2004-10-01 and 2023-06-23. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12004-10-01Champions of KamigawaCHK 2822003NormalBlackThomas M. Baxa
22020-09-26The ListPLST CHK-2822003NormalBlackThomas M. Baxa
32023-06-23Tales of Middle-earth CommanderLTC 3742015NormalBorderlessLogan Feliciano
42023-06-23Tales of Middle-earth CommanderLTC 4042015NormalBorderlessLogan Feliciano
52023-06-23Tales of Middle-earth CommanderLTC 404z2015NormalBorderlessLogan Feliciano

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Shinka, the Bloodsoaked Keep has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal