Magic: The Gathering

Altar of Shadows

Mirrodin 143 • rare

Set: Mirrodin
Collector number: 143
Rarity: Rare
Mana cost: 7 generic mana
Type: Artifact
Colors: Colorless
Artist: Sam Wood
Market price: $0.40

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$0.40est. via TCGplayer

104,743cards tracked

0copies listed for sale

Market

What it's worth

$0.40market price via TCGplayer · Aug 21, 2026$0.36 – $0.41 over the tracked period

Estimate for a typical copy of Altar of Shadows; condition, printing, and grading move the real number.

Lore

Why it matters

Pi hasn't written about this card yet.

Card face

What it does

At the beginning of your first main phase, add black mana for each charge counter on this artifact.

7 generic mana, tap: Destroy target creature. Then put a charge counter on this artifact.

Formats

Where you can play it

StandardNot legal
PioneerNot legal
ModernLegal
LegacyLegal
VintageLegal
CommanderLegal
PauperNot legal
BrawlNot legal
HistoricNot legal
TimelessNot legal
Penny DreadfulLegal
OathbreakerLegal

Portions of the materials used are property of Wizards of the Coast. ©Wizards of the Coast LLC. Card text via Scryfall. Not approved or endorsed by Wizards. As of the last catalogue refresh.

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Provenance

Where it came from

Altar of Shadows was released in the 2003 Magic: The Gathering set Mirrodin, a plane entirely composed of metal. Designed as a high-cost artifact, the card reflects the set's mechanical focus on artifacts and the influence of the plane's artificial landscape. The card was intended to serve as a powerful late-game control tool, utilizing its activated ability to destroy creatures while simultaneously ramping up mana production.

The artwork was illustrated by the veteran artist Wayne England, known for his distinct, bold lines and dramatic shading that defined much of the visual aesthetic of the era. His depiction of the altar captures the cold, foreboding nature of the Mirrodin environment. Upon release, the card was received as a niche but flavorful piece of design, often discussed for its balance between high mana investment and its capability to dominate a board state in casual play environments.

Generated by Pi, the collecto.rs collecting companion

Collectors

Who's collecting this

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About

About Altar of Shadows

Altar of Shadows is a card in the Magic: The Gathering catalog on collecto.rs. Mirrodin 143 • rare. Catalog data is sourced from Scryfall. No public cards collectors track this one yet — adding yours would make you the first on collecto.rs.

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Where does the Altar of Shadows catalog entry come from?

The catalog entry for Altar of Shadows is sourced from Scryfall. Catalog-level facts stay consistent across every collector; your own data (condition, edition, acquisition notes) is yours.