Carmen, Cruel Skymarcher MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityMythic
TypeLegendary Creature — Vampire Soldier
Abilities Flying
Power 2
Toughness 2

Key Takeaways

  1. Boosts card advantage, making it a strategic addition to maintaining hand superiority.
  2. Resource acceleration capabilities enable more impactful and efficient plays.
  3. Instant speed utility offers surprise and flexibility during gameplay.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Carmen, Cruel Skymarcher MTG card by a specific set like The Lost Caverns of Ixalan Commander and The Lost Caverns of Ixalan Commander, 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 Carmen, Cruel Skymarcher and other MTG cards:

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Text of card

Flying Whenever a player sacrifices a permanent, put a +1/+1 counter on Carmen, Cruel Skymarcher and you gain 1 life. Whenever Carmen attacks, return up to one target permanent card with mana value less than or equal to Carmen's power from your graveyard to the battlefield.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Carmen Cruel Skymarcher enhances your grip on the game with its ability to provide card advantage, making it a valuable asset in your deck. This card not only enriches your hand but also serves as a key strategic piece on your battlefield.

Resource Acceleration: With a built-in mechanism for resource acceleration, Carmen Cruel Skymarcher aids in propelling your game forward. By offering additional avenues to deploy your resources, it allows for a more efficient and potent playstyle.

Instant Speed: Functioning at instant speed, this card delivers flexibility and surprise, enabling you to adapt swiftly to the ever-changing dynamics of the game. The ability to respond to your opponent’s moves in real-time makes Carmen Cruel Skymarcher a formidable element of your arsenal.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Carmen Cruel Skymarcher necessitates discarding another card as part of its casting mechanics. This can pose a strategic setback when hand advantage is crucial during tightly contested games. Players must weigh the immediate benefits of deploying the Skymarcher against the potential long-term disadvantages of losing a card from their hand.

Specific Mana Cost: Deploying Carmen Cruel Skymarcher requires a very specific mix of mana colors, which can sometimes become an obstacle, especially for a multicolor deck. This necessity can make the card less flexible and more challenging to cast on curve, potentially slowing down the speed and fluidity of gameplay.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Carmen Cruel Skymarcher offers potent abilities, the card comes with a higher mana cost when compared to other options within the same mana range. Players are prompted to consider whether its battlefield impact justifies the mana investment, especially when alternatives might provide similar benefits for less resource dedication.


Reasons to Include Carmen Cruel Skymarcher in Your Collection

Versatility: Carmen Cruel Skymarcher offers a dynamic choice for deck builders, catering well to strategies that emphasize flying creatures or vampire tribal synergies. Its ability to adapt to various gameplay scenarios makes it a valuable asset in any collection.

Combo Potential: With the capacity to provide card advantage each time it deals combat damage to a player, this card inherently supports combos that capitalize on drawing cards or benefiting from dealing direct damage. Its synergistic nature can amplify many deck archetypes.

Meta-Relevance: As meta shifts towards an environment with more aerial combat or an uptick in vampire decks, including Carmen Cruel Skymarcher can offer decks a competitive edge. Its ability to disrupt opponents while contributing to your board presence is paramount in maintaining relevance in the ever-evolving game.


How to beat

Carmen Cruel, Skymarcher is a card that reinforces flying strategies and can prove challenging to deal with once it’s part of a strong board presence. One effective tactic to counter this card is by including removal spells that can target creatures in the air. Spot removal such as Murder or Cast Down can efficiently handle Carmen without allowing its abilities to take full effect. Having these options in your arsenal ensures you can respond to threats immediately.

Board wipes are another reliable approach. Cards like Wrath of God or Doomskar help reset the playing field, eliminating Carmen along with other creatures on the board. It’s important to time these correctly to maximize impact. Additionally, using creatures with reach or those that can block flyers, such as Giant Spider, can act as a deterrent for attacking with Carmen.

Lastly, control decks with a suite of countermagic such as Counterspell or Essence Scatter can prevent Carmen from entering the battlefield in the first place. By keeping mana open for these instant spells, you can protect your game from the influence of this powerful Skymarcher. With the right mix of removal, board control, and disruption, the challenge of Carmen Cruel, Skymarcher can be managed effectively.


BurnMana Recommendations

Embedding Carmen Cruel Skymarcher in your MTG arsenal intertwines skill and cunning into your game. This card stands out for its blend of aggressive and controlling elements, offering not just an edge in battle but a gateway to in-depth strategy crafting. With its ability to grant both card advantage and instant speed plays, it enhances your adaptability during matches. If you’re intrigued by the intricacies of aerial combat or vampire-themed decks, Carmen holds significant promise in evolving your gameplay. Delve deeper into the realm of MTG and let us guide your journey towards mastering these strategies, ensuring your collection is as formidable as it is versatile.


Printings

The Carmen, Cruel Skymarcher Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2023-11-17 and 2023-11-17. Illustrated by Randy Vargas.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12023-11-17The Lost Caverns of Ixalan CommanderLCC 52015NormalBlackRandy Vargas
22023-11-17The Lost Caverns of Ixalan CommanderLCC 262015NormalBlackRandy Vargas

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Carmen, Cruel Skymarcher has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PennyLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Carmen, Cruel Skymarcher card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2023-11-10 If a permanent is sacrificed to pay a cost of a spell or ability, Carmen, Cruel Skymarcher's second ability will resolve before that spell or ability. Conversely, if a permanent is sacrificed during the resolution of a spell or ability, that spell or ability will finish resolving before Carmen, Cruel Skymarcher's second ability is put onto the stack.
2023-11-10 If another effect causes Carmen, Cruel Skymarcher's power to be less than the mana value of the target card as its last ability tries to resolve, the target is illegal. You won't return the target card to the battlefield.
2023-11-10 If you sacrifice Carmen, Cruel Skymarcher, its second ability will still trigger.