Duskshell Crawler MTG Card


Offers card advantage by giving creatures entering the battlefield an extra +1/+1 counter. Its low mana cost accelerates resources, giving players an early game edge. Enhances the potency of instant-speed creatures, creating surprise threats.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Insect
Power 0
Toughness 3

Text of card

When Duskshell Crawler enters the battlefield, put a +1/+1 counter on target creature. Each creature you control with a +1/+1 counter on it has trample.

They often perch on street lamps, causing the poles to buckle under their weight.


Cards like Duskshell Crawler

Duskshell Crawler introduces an intriguing dynamic into the world of mana acceleration in Magic: The Gathering. It offers a subtle yet impactful edge with its ability to both speed up your mana development and beef up your creatures. When we look at comparable cards such as Llanowar Elves, the focus is squarely on the mana, with the elf tapping for a single green mana each turn. The Duskshell Crawler, while not tapping for mana, gives all your creatures a slight power and toughness enhancement, which can be crucial during combat scenarios.

Another card worth noting is Birds of Paradise, a renowned mana accelerator with the added versatility of providing any color mana. The Crawler doesn’t have this kind of flexibility, but it compensates with the bonus static ability that benefits all creatures you control. Furthermore, there’s Zhur-Taa Druid, which not only taps for mana but also chips away at your opponent’s life total. Yet, it lacks the across-the-board enhancement that defines Duskshell Crawler’s uniqueness in creature-focused strategies.

These comparisons show how Duskshell Crawler carves out its niche within MTG, offering an attractive blend of mana progression and a continuous boost to your creatures, positioning itself as a valuable asset in decks that prioritize wide creature presence and combative advantage.

Llanowar Elves - MTG Card versions
Birds of Paradise - MTG Card versions
Zhur-Taa Druid - MTG Card versions
Llanowar Elves - MTG Card versions
Birds of Paradise - MTG Card versions
Zhur-Taa Druid - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Duskshell Crawler by color, type and mana cost

Wyluli Wolf - MTG Card versions
Whirling Dervish - MTG Card versions
Grizzly Bears - MTG Card versions
River Boa - MTG Card versions
Eladamri, Lord of Leaves - MTG Card versions
Albino Troll - MTG Card versions
Silverglade Pathfinder - MTG Card versions
Priest of Titania - MTG Card versions
Quirion Elves - MTG Card versions
Blurred Mongoose - MTG Card versions
Llanowar Loamspeaker - MTG Card versions
Genesis Hydra - MTG Card versions
Jolrael, Mwonvuli Recluse - MTG Card versions
Scavenging Ooze - MTG Card versions
Heir of the Wilds - MTG Card versions
Mayor of Avabruck // Howlpack Alpha - MTG Card versions
Wren's Run Vanquisher - MTG Card versions
Muscle Sliver - MTG Card versions
Utopia Tree - MTG Card versions
Bloodline Shaman - MTG Card versions
Wyluli Wolf - MTG Card versions
Whirling Dervish - MTG Card versions
Grizzly Bears - MTG Card versions
River Boa - MTG Card versions
Eladamri, Lord of Leaves - MTG Card versions
Albino Troll - MTG Card versions
Silverglade Pathfinder - MTG Card versions
Priest of Titania - MTG Card versions
Quirion Elves - MTG Card versions
Blurred Mongoose - MTG Card versions
Llanowar Loamspeaker - MTG Card versions
Genesis Hydra - MTG Card versions
Jolrael, Mwonvuli Recluse - MTG Card versions
Scavenging Ooze - MTG Card versions
Heir of the Wilds - MTG Card versions
Mayor of Avabruck // Howlpack Alpha - MTG Card versions
Wren's Run Vanquisher - MTG Card versions
Muscle Sliver - MTG Card versions
Utopia Tree - MTG Card versions
Bloodline Shaman - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
BRGBRG PauperPauper Challenge 64 2023-12-10 (1)

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Duskshell Crawler not only contributes to your board presence with its own body but also enhances the future plays by letting your creatures enter the battlefield with an additional +1/+1 counter—potentially turning every draw into a more impactful one.

Resource Acceleration: This creature’s low mana cost facilitates early game plays, smoothing out your mana curve and giving you lead in resource development. The +1/+1 counters it provides effectively increase the power of your investments on the board on subsequent turns, ensuring a stronger position as the game progresses.

Instant Speed: While Duskshell Crawler doesn’t operate at instant speed itself, the permanent boost it gives to creatures that enter the battlefield extends the value of instant-speed creatures played later on. This synergy allows for more formidable threats during surprise end-of-turn plays, keeping opponents on their toes.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Duskshell Crawler isn’t saddled with any discard prerequisites, players should stay vigilant regarding cards that do, as they impose a harsh penalty on hand size, inevitably constraining strategic flexibility.

Specific Mana Cost: Duskshell Crawler comes with a specific mana cost that confines it to decks running green mana. This restricts its adoption across the diverse array of deck archetypes available to players.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Duskshell Crawler’s cost efficiency can be critiqued when compared to other mana acceleration creatures. Often, players may find other options that provide a greater boost to their mana economy for a similar or lower investment.


Reasons to Include Duskshell Crawler in Your Collection

Versatility: Duskshell Crawler is a flexible addition to any deck looking for efficient creature buffs. As a low-cost creature, it seamlessly fits into numerous strategies, enhancing the power and toughness of other creatures you control.

Combo Potential: With its ability to bolster other creatures, this card can be a critical piece in combo decks aiming to create large, powerful creatures quickly. It synergizes well with mechanics that are triggered by creature strength or entering the battlefield.

Meta-Relevance: Given its cost-efficiency and the evergreen nature of creature-based decks, Duskshell Crawler holds relevance in various metagames, making it a smart choice for players who want to stay competitive without frequent deck overhauls.


How to beat

Mastering your matches in Magic: The Gathering often revolves around knowing how to tackle various threats on the battlefield. When facing off against a Duskshell Crawler, understanding the subtleties of this creature can give you the upper hand. The Duskshell Crawler may appear daunting with its ability to bolster other creatures. Yet, cards that neutralize this advantage, such as instant removal spells, are key to disrupting your opponent’s strategy. Cards like ‘Shock’ and ‘Fatal Push’ work effectively to eliminate the Crawler before its fellow creatures reap the benefits.

Another approach is to limit the number of counters the Crawler can distribute by confining its interactions. Using cards that restrict players from casting spells during your turn, such as ‘Teferi, Time Raveler’, can be invaluable. Should the Duskshell Crawler manage to enhance other creatures prior to its removal, board wipes or targeted exile spells can reset the tide of the game in your favor. Optimization of your sideboard and main deck to include a blend of these strategies will keep the Duskshell Crawler’s influence at bay and increase your chances of maintaining control of the game.


BurnMana Recommendations

Duskshell Crawler has the potential to bring substantial value to your MTG gameplay. With its ability to improve creature performance and advance your mana development, it’s a smart addition for anyone building a green-centric deck. Even if it requires committing to green mana, the trade-off can be worthwhile given the right strategy. It’s important to recognize its limitations, though. To avoid being outpaced in the fast-evolving MTG scene, make sure to continually assess the meta and adapt accordingly. Are you intrigued by the strategic boost that Duskshell Crawler can offer your deck? Dive deeper into its applications and optimize your gameplay by delving into our detailed insights.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Duskshell Crawler MTG card by a specific set like Modern Horizons 2 and Jumpstart: Historic Horizons, 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 Duskshell Crawler 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 Duskshell Crawler Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2021-06-18 and 2024-02-23. Illustrated by Yeong-Hao Han.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12021-06-18Modern Horizons 2MH2 1562015NormalBlackYeong-Hao Han
22021-08-26Jumpstart: Historic HorizonsJ21 5612015NormalBlackYeong-Hao Han
32022-12-02Jumpstart 2022J22 6502015NormalBlackYeong-Hao Han
42024-02-23Ravnica: Clue EditionCLU 1612015NormalBlackYeong-Hao Han

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Duskshell Crawler has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
CommanderLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
GladiatorLegal
TimelessLegal