# 2011 Magic: The Gathering Magic 2012 #96

> This Magic 2012 Drifting Shade card (Card 96) is a Black creature with Flying and a versatile activated ability.

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## Identity

- **Year**: 2011
- **Brand**: Magic: The Gathering
- **Set**: Magic 2012
- **Card Number**: 96
- **Featured**: Drifting Shade
- **Game**: Magic: The Gathering
- **Rarity**: Common
- **Mana cost**: {3}{B}
- **Type**: Creature — Shade
- **Power / Toughness**: 1 / 1
- **Color**: B
- **Language**: English
- **Material**: Card Stock
- **Finish**: Normal

## Description

Drifting Shade, cataloged as card number 96 in the Magic 2012 set, is a Black creature card that has remained a recognizable part of the Magic: The Gathering trading card game since its release in 2011. Designed as a common rarity, this card offers players a straightforward yet mechanically interesting option within the Black mana color identity. The card’s type line identifies it as a Creature — Shade, a subtype that often appears in decks focused on graveyard interaction or evasion strategies.

With a mana cost of three generic mana and one black mana, Drifting Shade enters the battlefield for a total of four mana, a power level that aligns with its modest 1/1 power and toughness stats. Its most significant asset is the Flying keyword ability, which allows it to bypass ground-based blockers and deal damage directly to opposing planeswalkers or players. This aerial trait makes it a reliable attacker in the early to mid-game phases of a match.

Beyond its static abilities, Drifting Shade features an activated ability that requires sacrificing one black mana to gain +1/+1 until the end of the turn. This flexibility allows the card to trade favorably with larger creatures or survive combat scenarios that would otherwise eliminate it. While not a powerhouse on its own, this combination of evasion and temporary strength enhancement makes it a useful tool for controlling the board state.

Collectors of Magic: The Gathering often seek out cards from the Magic 2012 core set for their historical significance in the game’s evolution. Drifting Shade, with its clean design and functional mechanics, represents the accessible, entry-level nature of common cards that form the backbone of many constructed decks. Whether you are building a casual Black deck or simply appreciating the intricate design of creature cards, this release provides a solid foundation for gameplay.

## FAQ

### What is the mana cost of Drifting Shade in Magic 2012?

The mana cost for Drifting Shade is {3}{B}, requiring three generic mana and one black mana, for a total mana value of four.

### What abilities does Drifting Shade have?

Drifting Shade has the Flying keyword ability and an activated ability that costs {B} to give the creature +1/+1 until end of turn.

### What is the rarity of Drifting Shade in the M12 set?

Drifting Shade is a Common rarity card in the Magic 2012 (M12) set, making it one of the most frequently printed cards in that release.

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Editorial content updated: 2026-09-29.

Site deployment: 2025-11-29.