Shaman

Shaman is a creature type and the primary red spellcaster.

Description
While the word Shaman has shown up in flavor text since the early days (for example Anarchy), the creature type itself only dates back to Mirrodin (for example Spikeshot Goblin). That set featured the new race/class model. Creative needed to flesh out the classes, and found that wizards showed up in too high a volume. The Shaman creature type was created to help sub-categorize the types of magic-users in the game. Afterwards some earlier cards, like Sunastian Falconer from Legends, also gained the type.

Shamans are similar to wizards in that their magic comes from rituals, lore, and years of practice, but their craft has an emotional and spiritual component reminiscent of druids. Wizards were defined as more formally trained. They went to schools and studied their craft. Shamans have a more wild connection to their magic; they are common among the more primitive red, green, and black-aligned races, including elves, goblins, and treefolk, whom they serve as protectors and spiritual leaders.

Shamans are predominantly red and green. They are the primary red spellcasting class.

Animists
Animists are shamans who are able to communicate with all parts of land and nature. Nissa Revane was the last animist of Zendikar.

Flamespeakers
Flamespeakers are a shamanic order dedicated to Purphoros, the god of the forge. They worship strange eidolons said to inhabit the volcanoes and cracks in the great mountains of Akros and are regarded as seers by the population.

Shapers
Each tribe of the River Heralds is also led by a Shaper, who shares their name with the tribe's river. The magic of these shamans is focused on controlling the wind, water, and jungle environment. They strive to maintain a peaceful coexistence with nature, not to conquer it or defy it. They are called Shapers for the way they alter nature around them. They also summon elementals, living creatures formed from water or tangles of jungle growth.

Whisperers
Temur magic of Tarkir is highly shamanistic, with a strong elemental flavor. Shamans call their magic "whispering" and speak of the frozen memories and even the frozen spirits of the ancestors.

Yamabushi
Yamabushi is the name given to shamans on Kamigawa. The literal meaning is "One who lies in mountains" which refers to the mountain hermits who practice the ancient shamanic arts.

Notable Shamans
• ;Alara

• Mayael the Anima

• Meren

• Rakka Mar

• Yurlok

• ;Arcavios

• Nassari

• Plargg

• Rootha Squallheart

• Zaffai

• ;Dominaria

• Hivis of the Scale

• Kaervek

• Sek'Kuar

• Subira

• Sunastian Falconer

• Valduk, Keeper of the Flame

• Zirilan of the Claw

• ;Eldraine

• Grumgully, the Generous

• ;Ikoria

• Brallin

• Gavi

• ;Ixalan

• Atla Palani

• Kumena

• Tishana

• Tuvasa

• ;Kaladesh

• Chandra Nalaar

• ;Kamigawa

• Ben-Ben

• Dosan

• Hidetsugu

• Kiki-Jiki

• Kobo

• Reki, the History of Kamigawa

• Ryusaki Kumano

• Sachi, Daughter of Seshiro

• Sakiko, Mother of Summer</c>

• Shizuko

• Tok-Tok

• ;Lorwyn/Shadowmoor

• Ashling

• Wort

• Colfenor

• Doran

• The Sapling

• Rosheen Meanderer

• ;Mirrodin/New Phyrexia

• Thrun

• ;Ravnica

• Emmara Tandris

• Ghired

• Izoni

• Judith

• Juri

• Mazirek

• Savra

• Yeva

• ;Skalla

• Vivien Reid

• ;Tarkir

• Baishya

• Sarkhan Vol

• Sidisi

• Tasigur

• ;Zendikar

• Anowon

• Drana

• Kalastria

• Nissa Revane

• ;Unknown

• Archelos

• Averna

• Bolar

• Ghave

• Grismold

• Ramaz

Tribal type
Morningtide featured Thornbite Staff</c>, a Shaman equipment which was cheaper to cast with Bosk Banneret</c>.