Specter is a black creature type used for cards that depict vicious undead creatures whose touch numbs the minds of their victims, robbing them of memories (represented in-game by discard effects). Most specters are seen riding atop undead flying monsters such as dragons, giant skulls with bat-wings, and other beasts, and often wield polearms.[1][2][3] They seem to be mirror-images of the white Archons, hooded beings that also ride flying mounts, though unlike them they don't appear to be mana manifestations (in the same manner as angels and demons), nor is it clear if, like archons, both "rider" and "steed" are the same being.
The first card to bear the type was Hypnotic Specter in Alpha, affectionately known as "Hippy", which formed a favorite turn-one play with Dark Ritual.
Trivia
- The archetypal depiction of Specters was first introduced with Abyssal Specter in Ice Age.
- Blazing Specter added red to the casting cost.
- Blizzard Specter and Doomsday Specter added blue to their casting costs.
- Sedraxis Specter is the only tri-colored Specter.
- Specter's Shroud is an equipment giving a card Specter-abilities.
- Specter's Wail is a sorcery with a discard-effect.
- Liliana Vess brings her own: Liliana's Specter
- The current image of the specter in Magic, that of a hooded rider with a drake or bat-like flying steed, is an homage to Tolkien's Nazgûl.
