Quick Answer

Impaler Shrike is a common Creature — Phyrexian Bird from NPH (NPH) costing {2}{U}{U}. Current price: $0.08 USD. Legal in Modern. Legal in Commander.

Impaler Shrike MTG card

Impaler Shrike

Creature — Phyrexian Bird

Card Text

Flying Whenever this creature deals combat damage to a player, you may sacrifice it. If you do, draw three cards.

"Interrogation is an unnecessary step for acquiring information." —Politus, Gitaxian morphologist

Card Stats

3/1 common CMC: 4.0 NPH NPH 🎨 Nils Hamm
Flying

Market Prices

TCGPlayer
$0.08
Normal
Buy
TCGPlayer
$0.42
Foil
Buy
Card Kingdom
$0.35
Normal
Buy
Card Kingdom
$0.99
Foil
Buy
Cardmarket
€0.13
Normal
Buy
Cardmarket
€0.42
Foil
Buy
Prices updated: 2025-12-04

Format Legality

Commander Legal
Duel Legal
Legacy Legal
Modern Legal
Oathbreaker Legal
Pauper Legal
Paupercommander Legal
Penny Legal
Predh Legal
Vintage Legal

Similar Cards

Community Stats

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Impaler Shrike? Basics

Impaler Shrike is a Creature — Phyrexian Bird card from the Magic: The Gathering trading card game.

Its ability reads: "Flying Whenever this creature deals combat damage to a player, you may sacrifice it. If you do, draw three cards."

How much mana does Impaler Shrike cost to cast? Basics

Impaler Shrike has a mana cost of {2}{U}{U}, which equals 4.0 total mana (converted mana cost/mana value).

It requires U mana to cast.

What does mana cost mean in Magic: The Gathering? Basics

Mana cost is the amount and type of mana required to cast a spell in Magic: The Gathering.

Impaler Shrike's mana cost of {2}{U}{U} means you need to pay that much mana from your lands or other sources.

Colored symbols (W=White, U=Blue, B=Black, R=Red, G=Green) must be paid with that specific color, while numbers can be paid with any color.

What is converted mana cost (CMC) or mana value? Basics

Converted mana cost (now officially called "mana value") is the total amount of mana in a card's mana cost, regardless of color.

Impaler Shrike has a mana value of 4.0. This is important for effects that care about a spell's total cost, like cascade or cards that say "mana value 3 or less."

What is oracle text? Basics

Oracle text is the official, current rules text for a Magic card as maintained by Wizards of the Coast. It supersedes any printed text on older cards.

Impaler Shrike's current oracle text is: "Flying Whenever this creature deals combat damage to a player, you may sacrifice it. If you do, draw three cards."

What is the current price of Impaler Shrike? Pricing

The current market price for Impaler Shrike is approximately $0.08 USD on TCGPlayer.

A foil copy costs approximately $0.42 USD.

On Cardmarket (Europe), it's approximately €0.13 EUR.

Where can I buy Impaler Shrike? Pricing

You can purchase Impaler Shrike from major MTG retailers including:

Prices vary by condition and printing. Check multiple sellers to find the best price.

What is the difference between normal and foil cards? Pricing

Foil cards have a shiny, holographic finish that makes them more collectible. They are functionally identical to normal cards but typically cost more due to their rarity and visual appeal.

Impaler Shrike normal: $0.08 | foil: $0.42

Is Impaler Shrike legal in Standard? Legality

Format legality information for Impaler Shrike in Standard is not available.

Standard is a rotating format that only allows cards from the most recent sets.

Is Impaler Shrike legal in Modern? Legality

Impaler Shrike is Legal in Modern format.

Modern includes all cards printed in a standard-legal set from 8th Edition forward.

Is Impaler Shrike legal in Commander (EDH)? Legality

Impaler Shrike is Legal in Commander (EDH) format.

Commander is a casual multiplayer format where you build a 100-card singleton deck around a legendary creature.

Is Impaler Shrike legal in Pioneer? Legality

Format legality information for Impaler Shrike in Pioneer is not available.

Pioneer is a non-rotating format that includes all standard-legal sets from Return to Ravnica forward.

Is Impaler Shrike legal in Legacy? Legality

Impaler Shrike is Legal in Legacy format.

Legacy allows almost all cards ever printed, with a substantial ban list for balance.

Is Impaler Shrike legal in Vintage? Legality

Impaler Shrike is Legal in Vintage format.

Vintage is the most permissive format, allowing almost all cards with only a minimal ban list. Some powerful cards are "Restricted" (limited to 1 copy).

Is Impaler Shrike legal in Pauper? Legality

Impaler Shrike is Legal in Pauper format.

Pauper only allows cards that have been printed at common rarity in a paper or online set.

What is format legality in MTG? Legality

Format legality indicates which official MTG formats allow a card to be played:

  • Legal: Card is allowed in the format
  • Banned: Card is prohibited from play
  • Restricted: Limited to 1 copy (Vintage only)
  • Not Legal: Card was never part of that format's card pool

Different formats have different banned lists based on power level and game balance.

What set is Impaler Shrike from? Details

This printing of Impaler Shrike is from NPH (NPH), with collector number 36.

Impaler Shrike may also appear in other MTG sets with different art or special treatments.

What is Impaler Shrike's rarity? Details

Impaler Shrike is a common card in NPH.

Card rarity affects both availability and price. From rarest to most common: Mythic Rare → Rare → Uncommon → Common.

Who illustrated Impaler Shrike? Details

Impaler Shrike was illustrated by Nils Hamm.

Magic: The Gathering features artwork from hundreds of talented artists, and many cards have been reprinted with new art over the years.

What is Impaler Shrike's power and toughness? Details

Impaler Shrike is a 3/1 creature.

Power (3) determines how much combat damage the creature deals. Toughness (1) determines how much damage it can take before being destroyed.

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