Cleaving Skyrider MTG Card
Text of card
Flash Kicker (You may pay an additional as you cast this spell.) Flying When Cleaving Skyrider enters the battlefield, if it was kicked, it deals X damage to any target, where X is the number of attacking creatures.
Cards like Cleaving Skyrider
In the realm of flying creatures within Magic: The Gathering, the Cleaving Skyrider shares common ground with several noteworthy cards. A prime example would be Serra Angel, a classic card that also brandishes flying and vigilance. While both are able to attack without tapping, the Cleaving Skyrider’s strength lies in its potential to gain double strike, allowing it to deal damage twice per combat. This ability is absent in Serra Angel, which could be seen as a mere vanilla flyer in comparison.
Another relative is Skyhunter Skirmisher, a card that, like Cleaving Skyrider, can have double strike. Where the Skirmisher is a low-cost creature that comes with double strike inherently, Cleaving Skyrider requires certain conditions to unlock its true power. However, the Skyrider stands out with its superior base stats, giving it an advantage in head-to-head battles.
Lastly, we look at Aerial Responder. It presents a blend of capabilities with flying, vigilance, and lifelink – a trinity that provides a more defensive posture in games. Though it cannot match the aggressive potential of Cleaving Skyrider’s double strike feature, the added lifelink ensures incremental health gain, keeping you fortified against attacks.
The Cleaving Skyrider is a versatile choice for MTG players hoping to dominate the skies with a dual threat of evasion and heavy striking potential. In strategic terms, it might just slice through the competition with its distinctive double strike capability.
Cards similar to Cleaving Skyrider by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Cleaving Skyrider, when leveraged properly, can become a pivotal card in your hand. Swinging in for combat or using it as a blocker can shift the board state to your favor, and it potentially provides an avenue for card draw or a condition that puts you ahead in terms of card advantage.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly providing mana or ramp, this powerful creature could pave the way for resource acceleration by clearing the path of blockers or threats that may be hindering your mana-producing creatures or by enabling more powerful spells to be cast without the worry of leaving your defenses open.
Instant Speed: If the Cleaving Skyrider has flash or interacts positively with instant-speed spells and abilities, this enhances the flexibility and unpredictability of your gameplay. The ability to react and adapt to your opponent’s moves while they are committed to their own turn can be a significant tactical advantage.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One of the setbacks of using Cleaving Skyrider is the need to discard another card to fully utilize its abilities. This can put players at a disadvantage, especially when their hand is already depleted or if they are holding on to key pieces of their strategy.
Specific Mana Cost: Deck-building flexibility is somewhat strained by the card’s demand for specific mana types. Cleaving Skyrider requires a combination of mana that may not readily fit into multi-color decks, potentially making it a less versatile choice in certain playstyles.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: When evaluating mana efficiency, Cleaving Skyrider’s cost can be a deterrent. With a more considerable mana investment upfront, players may find alternative cards that provide similar or greater impact without such a steep resource requirement, leading to more optimized deck construction.
Reasons to Include Cleaving Skyrider in Your Collection
Versatility: Cleaving Skyrider offers a flexible role in multiple deck archetypes with its flying ability, allowing it to be a consistent threat in the air as well as providing excellent defense against other flying creatures.
Combo Potential: The card’s synergies with equipment and aura spells make it a prime candidate for combo setups, amplifying its impact on the battlefield when paired with other cards that boost its power or provide additional effects upon dealing combat damage.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where flying creatures are prevalent or in matchups where reaching over ground stall is crucial, Cleaving Skyrider’s ability to soar above blockers and apply pressure can make it a game-changer, ensuring its relevance in a variety of competitive formats.
How to beat
Cleaving Skyrider is a formidable threat on the battlefield, offering a robust aggro play to many decks. When facing this powerful card, disruption is key. Efficient removal spells are your best friends here. Cards with instant-speed removal such as Murder or Doom Blade can take out the Skyrider before it gets a chance to deal damage or make use of any combat tricks.
Another strategy is to control the board presence. Cleaving Skyrider stands out with aggressive tactics, but if you can limit the number of creatures your opponent controls, you reduce the card’s impact significantly. Enchantments like Propaganda or Ghostly Prison can help deter attackers, making it costly for your opponent to swing in with their flyer.
Lastly, consider the versatility of counterspells. By negating the Skyrider’s cast, you prevent any immediate and future threats it poses. Strategic planning and timing are crucial. Mana Leak or Counterspell can help conserve your board state by keeping such threats at bay. With these tactics, you maintain control and improve your chances of coming out on top against the perils of the Cleaving Skyrider.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Cleaving Skyrider // Cleaving Skyrider MTG card by a specific set like Dominaria United Art Series and Dominaria United, 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 Cleaving Skyrider // Cleaving Skyrider and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
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- MTG Mint Card
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- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
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Printings
The Cleaving Skyrider // Cleaving Skyrider Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2022-09-09 and 2022-09-09. Illustrated by Joshua Raphael.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dominaria United Art Series | ADMU | 5 | 2015 | Art series | Borderless | Joshua Raphael | ||
| 2 | 2022-09-09 | Dominaria United | DMU | 12 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Joshua Raphael |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Cleaving Skyrider 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 |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Cleaving Skyrider card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2022-09-09 | Cleaving Skyrider’s triggered ability counts all attacking creatures, even attacking creatures other players control. |
| 2022-09-09 | In a Two-Headed Giant game, this triggered ability counts all attacking creatures that each attacking team controls. |
Guide to Flash card ability
Explore the dynamic Flash ability in Magic: The Gathering (MTG), a feature that allows you to cast spells at lightning speed, often leaving your opponents reeling and your strategy several steps ahead. This versatile ability can turn the tide of a game, providing the element of surprise and tactical advantage. It places a premium on timing and foresight, transforming an ordinary deck into a formidable arsenal of instant threats and responses.