Shadows' VerdictHow it works & interactions with other cards

What It Does

Shadows' Verdict looks at two specific zones: the battlefield and all graveyards. It targets every creature and planeswalker with a mana value of 3 or less. Instead of destroying them, it exiles them, which bypasses 'indestructible' and prevents 'dies' triggers from occurring.

How It Resolves Step by Step

First, the game checks the mana value of all creatures and planeswalkers on the battlefield. Any with mana value 3 or less are moved directly to the exile zone. Second, the game checks all graveyards for creature and planeswalker cards with mana value 3 or less. These cards are also moved to the exile zone. This all happens as a single spell resolution, so no player can take actions between the battlefield exile and the graveyard exile.

Common Mistakes and Mana Values

A common point of confusion involves tokens and 'X' spells. Tokens that are not copies of other permanents generally have a mana value of 0, meaning Shadows' Verdict will exile them. For cards with {X} in their mana cost, like a creature that costs {X}{B}, X is treated as 0 while it is on the battlefield or in the graveyard. Even if you spent 10 mana to cast it, Shadows' Verdict sees it as mana value 1 and will exile it.

When to Play It

This card is best utilized against aggressive decks or strategies that rely on reanimating small creatures. Because it exiles rather than destroys, it is a perfect answer to cards that would otherwise return to the battlefield or provide value from the graveyard.

Interaction examples

Exile vs. Destruction

Damnation

If your opponent controls a creature with Indestructible and a mana value of 2, Damnation will fail to remove it because it only 'destroys.' However, Shadows' Verdict will successfully remove it from the game because it 'exiles' the creature.

Shutting Down Reanimation

Living Death

If a player is preparing to cast Living Death to bring back a graveyard full of small creatures, casting Shadows' Verdict first will exile those cards from the graveyard. When Living Death eventually resolves, those specific small creatures will no longer be in the graveyard to return to the battlefield.