Case of the Stashed Skeleton MTG Card


Grants an edge by bringing back creatures, optimizing card advantage and ensuring a consistent play flow. Enables strategic play at instant speed, creating opportunities for planned responses or sudden threats. Mandatory discard and specific mana costs may deter some, yet its strengths often outweigh these cons.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityRare
TypeEnchantment — Case
Abilities Suspect

Text of card

When this Case enters the battlefield, create a 2/1 black Skeleton creature token and suspect it. (It has menace and can't block.) To solve — You control no suspected Skeletons. (If unsolved, solve at the beginning of your end step.) Solved — , Sacrifice this Case: Search your library for a card, put it into your hand, then shuffle. Activate only as a sorcery.


Cards like Case of the Stashed Skeleton

Case of the Stashed Skeleton introduces an intriguing dynamic to creature-based strategies in MTG. It evokes comparisons to cards like Footlight Fiend, which shares the common theme of a beneficial effect upon death. While Footlight Fiend deals 1 damage to any target upon death, Case of the Stashed Skeleton diverges with its unique ability to stash away cards for later use.

Reassembling Skeleton is another card that resonates with the theme of recursion. Its ability to return from the graveyard directly to the battlefield gives it an edge in decks that capitalize on repeated creature sacrifice. However, Case of the Stashed Skeleton does not offer the same direct return mechanic, focusing instead on the longer-term advantage of card advantage.

Looking at Tenacious Dead, the mechanic of returning to the battlefield is again featured but with a slight variation in the resurrection cost. Case of the Stashed Skeleton differs significantly as it doesn’t recur itself, but rather contributes to future plays by setting aside potentially game-changing spells. Players weighing their inclusion in their deck must therefore consider the strategic timing and lasting impact that Case of the Stashed Skeleton could have on their gameplay progression.

Footlight Fiend - MTG Card versions
Reassembling Skeleton - MTG Card versions
Tenacious Dead - MTG Card versions
Footlight Fiend - MTG Card versions
Reassembling Skeleton - MTG Card versions
Tenacious Dead - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Case of the Stashed Skeleton by color, type and mana cost

Bad Moon - MTG Card versions
Fear - MTG Card versions
Warp Artifact - MTG Card versions
Deathgrip - MTG Card versions
Animate Dead - MTG Card versions
Blight - MTG Card versions
Spirit Shackle - MTG Card versions
Seizures - MTG Card versions
Leshrac's Sigil - MTG Card versions
Lim-Dûl's Hex - MTG Card versions
Dance of the Dead - MTG Card versions
Dark Privilege - MTG Card versions
Enfeeblement - MTG Card versions
Spinal Graft - MTG Card versions
Oath of Ghouls - MTG Card versions
Despondency - MTG Card versions
Yawgmoth's Edict - MTG Card versions
Dying Wail - MTG Card versions
Insubordination - MTG Card versions
Mourning - MTG Card versions
Bad Moon - MTG Card versions
Fear - MTG Card versions
Warp Artifact - MTG Card versions
Deathgrip - MTG Card versions
Animate Dead - MTG Card versions
Blight - MTG Card versions
Spirit Shackle - MTG Card versions
Seizures - MTG Card versions
Leshrac's Sigil - MTG Card versions
Lim-Dûl's Hex - MTG Card versions
Dance of the Dead - MTG Card versions
Dark Privilege - MTG Card versions
Enfeeblement - MTG Card versions
Spinal Graft - MTG Card versions
Oath of Ghouls - MTG Card versions
Despondency - MTG Card versions
Yawgmoth's Edict - MTG Card versions
Dying Wail - MTG Card versions
Insubordination - MTG Card versions
Mourning - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Case of the Stashed Skeleton. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Rakdos TransmogrifyRakdos Transmogrify PioneerRakdos TransmogrifyPioneer Preliminary 2024-04-16
Golgari MidrangeGolgari Midrange GladiatorSword and Sandals Showdown: AM Week 15 2024
UBUB StandardTraditional Standard Ranked Decklists: April 22, 2024
Mono-Black MidrangeMono-Black Midrange GladiatorGladiator Proving Grounds: Week 15 2024
Jund MidrangeJund Midrange PioneerJund MidrangePioneer League 2024-04-12
Rakdos PactRakdos Pact PioneerRakdos PactPioneer Challenge 64 2024-04-21
Mono-Black AggroMono-Black Aggro GladiatorGladiator Proving Grounds: Week 15 2024
BB StandardStandard Challenge 32 2024-04-20
Orzhov MidrangeOrzhov Midrange StandardOrzhov MidrangeTraditional Standard Ranked Decklists: April 15, 2024
Rakdos ComboRakdos Combo ExplorerThe Pizza Box Open: Explorer

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Case of the Stashed Skeleton card shines in scenarios where card advantage is crucial. It enables you to bring a creature back from your graveyard to your hand, guaranteeing that you always have options available and are never out of plays.

Resource Acceleration: By returning a creature card to your hand, you effectively negate the loss of resources typically associated with creature removal. This sets the stage for better use of your mana pool in subsequent turns, ensuring that your game tempo keeps pace.

Instant Speed: The ability to play Case of the Stashed Skeleton at instant speed gives you a strategic edge. This flexibility allows you to respond to threats or fill your hand with creatures during the end phase of your opponent’s turn, keeping your strategy adaptable and your board presence threatening.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One of the drawbacks for Case of the Stashed Skeleton is that it comes with a stipulation that some players may find restrictive. You’re required to discard a card along with its other costs. This mandatory discard can put you at a disadvantage, particularly if you’re already facing a hand shortage or if the card is crucial to your game plan.

Specific Mana Cost: This card’s mana cost is tied to specific colors. The necessity for both blue and black mana to cast it makes it less versatile and somewhat restrictive in deck building. For players running multicolor decks, including Case of the Stashed Skeleton can be tricky if the mana base isn’t properly tuned to accommodate these requirements.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a relatively high mana demand for its abilities, Case of the Stashed Skeleton might not be your first pick when curating your deck. There is a plethora of other cards in the same cost bracket that can offer similar — if not better — effects without the demanding cost and limitations. Players might struggle to justify the investment in mana when other more cost-efficient options are available for building and maintaining board presence.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Case of the Stashed Skeleton offers a unique blend of graveyard interaction and creature control. This card can slip into different archetypes, enhancing both aggressive and controlling strategies that rely on board presence.

Combo Potential: The ability to emerge from the graveyard makes it a solid piece in recursive combos or with mechanics that benefit from sacrificing creatures. Players can use it to perpetuate synergies that require a consistent board state.

Meta-Relevance: Given the current preferences for decks with graveyard strategies, Case of the Stashed Skeleton gains importance. Its ability to recur offers an edge against one-shot removal spells prevalent in the meta, keeping key creatures in play.


How to beat

Overcoming the challenge of Case of the Stashed Skeleton relies on recognizing its utility in providing card advantage. This unique card allows players to delve into their graveyard, selecting from a lineup of creatures to create a copy. Its strength lies not only in the ability to clone a minion, but it also shuffles back into the library, making it a recurring threat.

Key to defeating this card is disrupting graveyard synergy. Graveyard hate cards like Scavenging Ooze or Rest in Peace are essential as they remove the ammunition that Case of the Stashed Skeleton thrives on. Similarly, countering the card directly with spells like Dovin’s Veto or even Thoughtseize to preemptively remove it from an opponent’s hand, can nullify its effects before they unfold.

In essence, the key is to either deny the resources it needs to function or preemptively manage threats it could potentiate. Keeping graveyard interaction at a minimum or responding swiftly to the casting of Case of the Stashed Skeleton itself, ensures that its advantage can be mitigated, maintaining control over the match.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Case of the Stashed Skeleton MTG card by a specific set like Murders at Karlov Manor and Murders at Karlov Manor Promos, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.

For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.

Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.

Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Case of the Stashed Skeleton and other MTG cards:

TCGPlayerBUY NOW
BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Printings

The Case of the Stashed Skeleton Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2024-02-09 and 2024-02-10. Illustrated by Camille Alquier.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12024-02-09Murders at Karlov ManorMKM 802015CaseBlackCamille Alquier
22024-02-10Murders at Karlov Manor PromosPMKM 80s2015CaseBlackCamille Alquier
32024-02-10Murders at Karlov Manor PromosPMKM 80p2015CaseBlackCamille Alquier

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Case of the Stashed Skeleton has restrictions

FormatLegality
StandardLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
StandardbrawlLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
FutureLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
BrawlLegal
TimelessLegal