Skyshaper MTG Card

Exodus (EXO)
1998-06-15 - Number 137

Tempest Remastered (TPR)
2015-05-06 - Number 231

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Artifact

Key Takeaways

Instantly grants flying to all creatures, significantly altering the game’s dynamics in your favor.
Potentially dilutes opponent’s resources by creating multiple threats with its activated ability.
Its demand for both sacrifice and discard can strain hand resources but can be pivotal.

Text of card

Sacrifice Skyshaper: All creatures you control gain flying until end of turn.

"It'll get us to the portal, but I can't guarantee what it'll do to the ship." —Hanna, *Weatherlight* navigator

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Skyshaper provides a potent strategic upper hand by potentially transforming each of your creatures into a threat that must be dealt with immediately. This can dilute your opponent’s resources as they may need to address multiple airborne threats, hence giving you card advantage in terms of board presence.

Resource Acceleration: By converting ground-based units into flying ones, Skyshaper can speed up your aggression, letting you bypass many common blockers. This allows you to potentially end games quicker and more efficiently, aligning with the principle of resource acceleration as you are converting your existing resources into more valuable assets.

Instant Speed: Skyshaper’s activated ability can be used at instant speed which is incredibly versatile. You may activate it in response to an opponent’s move, counter an unexpected threat, or subtlely shift the dynamics of combat in your favor, all while carefully managing your mana and strategic options.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Skyshaper demands that you sacrifice it along with a card discard, which could potentially deplete valuable hand resources, leading to a detrimental state in the game where options become limited.

Specific Mana Cost: The mana cost of Skyshaper requires both generic and colored mana to cast, necessitating a mana base that can reliably produce the necessary colors, potentially confining it to decks that can accommodate such restrictions.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its mana cost sitting at the higher end of the curve for artifacts providing this kind of effect, players may find themselves weighing the benefits of including Skyshaper against other cards with similar abilities but lower cost implications, leading to tough deck-building decisions.

Reasons to Include Skyshaper in Your Collection

Versatility: Skyshaper grants any creature the ability to fly, which can be a game-changer in various deck builds, elevating key creatures to evade blockers or defend against airborne threats.

Combo Potential: When sacrificed, Skyshaper gives flying to all your creatures, paving the way for unexpected full-scale assaults or empowering combos with other cards that synergize with artifacts or flying creatures.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where board control and evasion are crucial, Skyshaper can alter the battlefield’s dynamics, turning ground-based stalemates into victorious swings in the air.

How to Overcome Skyshaper

The Skyshaper card provides a tactical edge by offering flying to all creatures under your command. This can significantly alter the battlefield, allowing a full assault from the air. Although powerful, Skyshaper isn’t invulnerable. To dismantle this artifact, incorporating artifact removal cards into your deck is crucial. Spells like Naturalize or Disenchant can directly target and eliminate Skyshaper before its ability is activated, neutralizing the threat efficiently.

Another strategy is to counter opponent creatures gaining flight by enhancing your aerial defense. Cards that feature reach or any spell that can summon flying blockers are invaluable for maintaining a solid defense against a Skyshaper-enabled attack. Additionally, opting for removal spells that can dispatch multiple creatures at once, like Wrath of God or Doomskar, can sweep the skies clear, rendering Skyshaper’s ability inconsequential.

Ultimately, preparing for Skyshaper requires a versatile deck with answers to both flying threats and artifact-based strategies. Ensure you keep a balance of creature control and targeted removal to ensure that when Skyshaper appears, you’re ready to ground your opponent’s ambitions with a well-timed response.

Cards like Skyshaper

Skyshaper grants an impactful edge in Magic: The Gathering, particularly in the realm of enhancing creature capabilities with flying. Its function is akin to that of cards like Cobbled Wings and Infiltrator’s Magemark, which also provide flying to your creatures. Yet, Skyshaper is unique due to its sacrifice mechanism, empowering not just one but all creatures you control with flight for that critical turn. Cobbled Wings, in contrast, attaches to a single creature and Infiltrator’s Magemark potentially buffs multiple creatures but lacks the surprise factor inherent in Skyshaper’s one-time use.

In a similar space, we encounter cards like Levitation, which continuously grants flying to all your creatures until it’s removed from the field, offering sustained aerial superiority without an additional cost. Nevertheless, Skyshaper can be a game-changer with its ability to be activated at a moment’s notice – possibly turning the tide of battle unexpectedly. Another comparable tool is Launch, which temporarily gives flying and can be reused. However, it impacts only one creature and requires you to hold mana open for repeated use.

Within the context of temporary flight enablement, Skyshaper shines by combining a surprise element and team-wide effect, carving out a niche for itself among Magic: The Gathering’s vast array of creature enhancement cards.

Infiltrator's Magemark - MTG Card versions

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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Skyshaper MTG card by a specific set like Exodus and Tempest Remastered, 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 Skyshaper and other MTG cards: