What it does
Shroud means a permanent (or player) can't be the target of any spells or abilities—including your own. It's stricter than hexproof, which only stops opponents' targeting. So you can't suit up your shrouded creature with Auras, hit it with your own pump spells, or sacrifice it to a targeted ability.
The most common mistake is treating shroud like hexproof and thinking you can still target your own stuff—you can't. Another nuance: shroud doesn't stop non-targeted effects. Board wipes like Wrath of God, sacrifice effects ("each player sacrifices"), and edicts still affect shrouded permanents because they don't target.
In Commander, shroud appears on threats like creatures you want protected, but it's a double-edged sword since you can't enhance or save them with targeted effects. Removal-light tables make it less necessary, and mass removal sidesteps it entirely.
Iconic cards with Shroud
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