A perfect example of the benefits to be reaped by giving yourself over to the dark side. Ihsan was once a Serra Paladin, but was "corrupted." In addition to getting tougher and more powerful, he also became the bane of his former comrades by way of Protection from White. As a result, he lost his paladin abilities and got more expensive. As with Wildfire Emissary, the Protection from White is what made this creature shine, granting it immunity to Swords to Plowshares at a time in Standard when you couldn't turn a corner without hearing someone say "Swords" or "Swords it," (usually in a matter-of-fact "I do this all the time" or "What did you expect" sort of way). Ihsan's Shade is perhaps the best of the very few Homelands creatures that saw competitive play in Standard (others include Spectral Bears and Autumn Willow).
Posted By:
tezcat
(10/8/2009 9:37:53 AM)
Whoa, hold on a second. Am I seeing this right? The Gatherer says this is an UNCOMMON? WTF?
Posted By:
TDL
(9/7/2010 8:19:02 PM)
For old schoolers, this creature is beyond STP, beyond Bolt, beyond most black removal. A 5/5 body that beats up most green creatures at the time.
4/5
Posted By:
Cyberium
(7/24/2010 7:49:18 PM)
I got this guy out on turn 2 with a couple of Dark Rituals in a game back in the day. Man, was I ecstatic, lol.
Posted By:
Dr_Draco
(9/27/2009 10:03:36 PM)
This is actually one of the few decent Homelands cards. Back in the earlier days of MtG, Swords to Plowshares, Lightning Bolt and Terror were the most common ways of killing a creature. None of those will work on this guy. With a dark ritual, it's easy to get him out pretty quickly. He's won quite a few games for me. (4/5)
Posted By:
kowrip
(8/31/2010 12:26:46 PM)
Don't see why people downrate this card, its worth at least a 4 for its pro white ability to avoid many anti creature techs found in white
Posted By:
Paladin85
(8/3/2011 11:28:55 PM)
LOL @ tezcat "swords it" ohh man I havent heard anyone smugly say that the way I remember it in a long time although now-a-days we've just replaced swords with PATH.... wich still carries the same matter of factness tone in the speech of whoever says it at your local tournament
Posted By:
Raveknight
(11/1/2009 7:06:33 AM)
Brutal for its time since he ignored nearly all removal in the game back then.
Posted By:
Radagast
(11/4/2011 11:16:45 AM)
Was quite controversial back in the day due to its name being very similar to that of the fronter of Norwegian black metal band Emperor, Ihsahn. ;)
Also, he's a SHADE KNIGHT now. Why not a (deadly) Knight Shade). :P
Only Shade I know without the {B}: +1/+1 ability...
Posted By:
Lord_of_Tresserhorn
(11/9/2011 3:11:26 AM)
outclassed by today's power creep! how depressing..
i would still run this just for the flavour..
Posted By:
zenitramleirdag
(11/8/2012 12:53:34 AM)