Shadow

Shadow is a keyword ability on creatures that serves as both an evasion ability and a blocking restriction, featured in the Tempest block.

Description
An attacking creature with shadow can only be blocked by a defending creature with shadow, and a defending creature with shadow can only block an attacking creature with shadow. It was first seen in the Tempest block, and was revisited in the Time Spiral block. Shadow is found on black, white and blue creatures, while a few red and green creatures are able to block shadow creatures. The aura Æther Web permits the enchanted creature to block creatures with shadow as though they didn't have shadow.

After Tempest block, Shadow made minor appearances in Time Spiral and Modern Horizons 2. It is unlikely to return again. Shadow was independently designed by Mike Elliott and Richard Garfield.

Storyline
Rath was Yawgmoth’s ever-expanding plane of flowstone. When it merged with parts of Dominaria as part of Yawgmoth’s interplanar invasion tactics during the Tempest Block storyline, some Dominarian races became trapped in the interstitial void between the two planes. These unfortunate Soltari, Dauthi and Thalakos are known as “shadow creatures.”

Rulings

 * It is possible for Banding to result in a Shadow creature blocking or being blocked by a non-Shadow creature. This is legal.

Creature type

 * The creature subtype Shadow became Spirit in the Grand Creature Type Update (Nether Shadow).

Cards that grant Shadow
Creature ability
 * Spirit En-Dal Forecast (upkeep only)

Enchantments

target creature
 * Temporal Isolation
 * Dauthi Embrace

Instant
 * Shadow Rift
 * Traitor's Clutch