---
name: "Archpriest of Shadows"
mana_cost: "{3}{B}{B}"
cmc: 5
type_line: "Creature — Human Warlock"
colors: []
color_identity: ["B"]
keywords: ["Backup", "Deathtouch"]
set: "PMOM"
set_name: "March of the Machine Promos"
collector_number: "89s"
rarity: "rare"
artist: "Fariba Khamseh"
oracle_id: "7b03910a-2ca7-40cb-9c71-1c2cc856a287"
printings_count: 4
canonical_url: "https://avascry.com/printing/archpriest-of-shadows-pmom"
legalities:
  commander: "legal"
  standard: "not_legal"
  modern: "legal"
  pioneer: "legal"
  legacy: "legal"
  vintage: "legal"
  pauper: "not_legal"
  penny: "legal"
---

# Archpriest of Shadows
- **Mana Cost:** `{3}{B}{B}` (CMC: 5)
- **Type:** Creature — Human Warlock
- **Keywords:** Backup, Deathtouch

## Oracle Text
Backup 1 (When this creature enters, put a +1/+1 counter on target creature. If that's another creature, it gains the following abilities until end of turn.)
Deathtouch
Whenever this creature deals combat damage to a player or battle, return target creature card from your graveyard to the battlefield.

## Top 4096-Dim Neural Synergies
1. [Serpent-Blade Assailant](/printing/serpent-blade-assailant-mom.md) — Creature — Elf Warrior
2. [Spiteful Squad](/printing/spiteful-squad-stx.md) — Creature — Human Warlock
3. [Soul of Innistrad](/printing/soul-of-innistrad-c20.md) — Creature — Avatar
4. [Promising Duskmage](/printing/promising-duskmage-stx.md) — Creature — Human Warlock
5. [Isareth the Awakener](/printing/isareth-the-awakener-cmm.md) — Legendary Creature — Human Wizard
6. [Shadowheart, Cleric of Graves](/printing/shadowheart-cleric-of-graves-hbg.md) — Legendary Creature — Human Elf Cleric

## Printing Details
- **Set:** March of the Machine Promos (PMOM) #89s
- **Rarity:** Rare
- **Artist:** Fariba Khamseh
- **Total Printings:** 4 across all historical editions

## Format Legalities
Commander: `legal` | Standard: `not_legal` | Modern: `legal` | Pioneer: `legal` | Legacy: `legal` | Vintage: `legal` | Pauper: `not_legal` | Penny: `legal`

## Official Rulings
- *(2023-04-14)* If a backup ability targets the creature with backup, that creature will get +1/+1 counters, but it won’t gain additional abilities.
- *(2023-04-14)* If a permanent enters the battlefield as a copy of a card with a backup ability or a token is created that is a copy of that card, the order of the printed abilities is maintained.
- *(2023-04-14)* Backup confers only abilities that are actually printed below it. Any abilities that are gained by the permanent are ignored, including abilities gained due to a resolving spell or ability or copy effects.
- *(2023-04-14)* The abilities that backup grants to the target creature are determined only once, at the time the ability triggers. They won’t change if the permanent with backup loses any abilities before the backup ability resolves.
- *(2023-04-14)* If a backup ability causes another creature to gain abilities, the creature with backup will still have those abilities.