Atraxa's Skitterfang MTG Card
2023-02-03 - Number 223
2023-02-03 - Number 55
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Artifact Creature — Phyrexian Insect |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
Atraxa's Skitterfang enters the battlefield with three oil counters on it. At the beginning of combat on your turn, you may remove an oil counter from Atraxa's Skitterfang. When you do, target creature you control gains your choice of flying, vigilance, deathtouch, or lifelink until end of turn.
Cards like Atraxa's Skitterfang
Diving into the universe of proliferate mechanics in MTG, Atraxa’s Skitterfang emerges as a notable entrant. When casting a lookalike lens on similar cards, Inexorable Tide is a prime candidate for comparison, extending the proliferate effect each time you cast a spell. However, Atraxa’s Skitterfang offers a creature with immediate board presence, unlike the non-creature enchantment of Inexorable Tide, putting a clock on your opponent from the moment it hits the board.
Another companion in this sphere is Volt Charge, delivering damage as well as a single proliferate trigger. The dexterity of Atraxa’s Skitterfang is in its recurring ability — a stand-out feature that Volt Charge, as a one-time use spell, cannot match. Contagion Engine is also worth mentioning, providing a way to proliferate repetitively, but at a higher cost and slower setup compared to the nimble and more economical Atraxa’s Skitterfang.
Scrutinizing these pieces, Atraxa’s Skitterfang carves out a unique position with the combination of creature-based strategies and consistent proliferate triggers, presenting players with a tactical advantage in MTG matches where pace and presences are key.
Cards similar to Atraxa's Skitterfang by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Designed with the savvy player in mind, Atraxa’s Skitterfang offers a unique edge by generating card value each time you proliferate. Not only does this keep your hand full, but it strategically positions you ahead of your opponents with additional options to play each turn.
Resource Acceleration: The power of Atraxa’s Skitterfang lies in its ability to amplify your board state with astonishing speed. As you proliferate and enhance your resources, the card smoothly transitions from a mere creature to an engine of exponential growth, churning out +1/+1 counters that can quickly tip the scales in your favor.
Instant Speed: Versatility is the name of the game, and Atraxa’s Skitterfang doesn’t disappoint, with capabilities extending into the realm of instant speed interactions. By offering triggers that can be activated on-the-fly, this card adapts to the ebb and flow of the battlefield, ensuring you’re ready to capitalize on any shift in the game’s tempo.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Atraxa’s Skitterfang necessitates a discard from your hand, which could be a setback, particularly when your hand is almost empty, or you’re holding onto key cards for your strategy. This condition potentially disrupts your plan and puts you at a card disadvantage if not managed carefully.
Specific Mana Cost: This card’s activation is tied to a very specific set of mana colors. To maximize its effectiveness, a deck must have a robust mana base that can reliably produce all the necessary types. This could be challenging for some decks, particularly those that aren’t built around a multicolor strategy.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: In terms of investment, Atraxa’s Skitterfang’s mana cost is on the higher end for its abilities. Players need to evaluate whether its effect justifies the cost, especially when there are alternative cards that could potentially offer a better return on investment or fit more seamlessly into the deck’s overall mana curve.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Atraxa’s Skitterfang brings a level of adaptability that can seamlessly integrate into various deck archetypes. Its ability to manipulate counters makes it a prime candidate for any deck focusing on proliferate mechanics or strategies that capitalize on incremental advantage.
Combo Potential: This card opens up a wealth of combo possibilities. With the right synergies in play, Atraxa’s Skitterfang can become a cog in an engine that fuels anything from infinite combos to devastating one-turn plays, making it an exciting addition for players who love crafting intricate card interactions.
Meta-Relevance: In a constantly evolving MTG landscape, having cards that can hold their own against a variety of strategies is crucial. Atraxa’s Skitterfang can be a valuable asset in matchups where controlling the board state with counters is pivotal, ensuring your deck remains competitive amidst a shifting meta.
How to beat
Atraxa’s Skitterfang stands out in MTG as a card that can quickly become a nuisance if left unchecked. Its ability to proliferate counters at each end step offers a consistent threat to opponents, strengthening creatures or amassing an intimidating number of poison counters. To counter this threat, the focus should be on removing it from play before its abilities trigger multiple times. Direct removal spells such as Path to Exile and Murder are effective at dealing with Atraxa’s Skitterfang, bypassing the proliferate ability by simply taking the creature out of the equation.
Cards that deny counter placement altogether, like Solemnity, can negate the proliferating effect completely, rendering Atraxa’s Skitterfang far less intimidating. To prevent it from entering the battlefield in the first place, countermagic such as Counterspell remains a reliable safeguard. Finally, altering the pace of the game by applying pressure with aggressive creatures or strategies can overwhelm the player behind Atraxa’s Skitterfang, leaving them with fewer opportunities to leverage its abilities to their advantage.
Strategic gameplay and timely use of resources are paramount when facing Atraxa’s Skitterfang. By understanding the mechanisms and pathways to subvert this card’s influence on the game, MTG players can eliminate the threat and maintain control over the match’s trajectory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Atraxa's Skitterfang MTG card by a specific set like Phyrexia: All Will Be One and Phyrexia: All Will Be One Art Series, 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 Atraxa's Skitterfang and other MTG cards:
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Printings
The Atraxa's Skitterfang Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2023-02-03 and 2023-02-03. Illustrated by Billy Christian.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2023-02-03 | Phyrexia: All Will Be One | ONE | 223 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Billy Christian | |
| 2 | Phyrexia: All Will Be One Art Series | AONE | 55 | 2015 | Art series | Borderless | Billy Christian |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Atraxa's Skitterfang has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Alchemy | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Atraxa's Skitterfang card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2023-02-04 | You choose which ability the target creature gets as the reflexive ability resolves. Players may not wait to see what ability you choose before deciding whether to respond to it. |
| 2023-02-04 | You don't choose a target for Atraxa's Skitterfang's last ability at the time it triggers. Rather, a second "reflexive" ability triggers when you remove an oil counter this way. You choose a target for that ability as it goes on the stack. Each player may respond to this triggered ability as normal. |