Skulking Killer MTG Card
2021-11-19 - Number 296
2021-11-19 - Number 130
2022-01-28 - Number 397
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Vampire Assassin |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Key Takeaways
- Grants card advantage by removing multiple creatures, conserving resources in a single card.
- Instant speed activation adds flexibility and strategic control during gameplay.
- Demands a card discard for activation, potentially impacting hand resources.
Text of card
When Skulking Killer enters the battlefield, target creature an opponent controls gets -2/-2 until end of turn if that opponent controls no other creatures.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Skulking Killer offers incremental card advantage as it can potentially remove multiple creatures over the course of a game. This continuous threat removal means you’re effectively dealing with more of your opponent’s resources with just one card.
Resource Acceleration: While Skulking Killer itself doesn’t directly accelerate your resources, eliminating key creatures can indirectly boost your mana development by clearing the way for your mana dorks or other creatures with ramp abilities to stay on the board and function effectively.
Instant Speed: The ability to activate Skulking Killer’s effect at instant speed ensures that you have the flexibility to respond to your opponent’s moves in a pinch. This not only surprises your adversary but also lets you make strategic decisions based on the unfolding game state, maintaining the element of suspense and control.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One of the drawbacks of Skulking Killer is that its activation requires you to discard a card. This condition could be challenging when your hand is already sparse, forcing difficult decisions on resource management.
Specific Mana Cost: Skulking Killer’s casting cost is quite specific, demanding both black and red mana. This requirement might constrain the card’s playability to only certain types of decks, particularly those that can consistently provide both colors.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a higher-than-average mana cost to get Skulking Killer into play, its impact on the battlefield might not be as immediate or significant compared to other cards at a similar cost bracket. Players may find that there are alternates that provide more immediate or versatile effects for the same investment.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Skulking Killer adapts seamlessly into a variety of deck archetypes, thanks to its ability to act both as removal and a creature. It can align with control strategies or bolster aggressive tactics.
Combo Potential: With the right setup, Skulking Killer can help execute powerful combos. It can work in concert with cards that capitalize on death triggers or make use of its deathtouch ability.
Meta-Relevance: In a game where creature-based strategies dominate, having Skulking Killer on your side of the battlefield can provide the upper hand, disrupting your opponent’s plans while establishing board presence.
How to Beat Skulking Killer
The Skulking Killer is a card that can pose a real challenge in any MTG game it enters. Considering its power, formulating a strategy to outplay this stealthy menace is crucial. One effective approach is to limit its ability to target creatures by using hexproof or shroud abilities. These prevent the Skulking Killer from picking off your vital assets.
Another viable tactic involves cards that counter abilities or spells, ensuring the Skulking Killer’s dangerous abilities never trigger. It’s also beneficial to manage the field, keeping a healthy number of creatures in play or using tokens to absorb potential impacts. Lastly, cards that can rapidly remove creatures from the field, such as Path to Exile or Rapid Hybridization, can dispatch the Skulking Killer before it ever becomes a threat, keeping your side of the board safe from its lethal touch.
By understanding the threat posed by Skulking Killer and preparing your deck with counters, you can turn the tables and ensure that your opponents’ sneaky threats are swiftly neutralized, maintaining the upper hand in your MTG matches.
Cards like Skulking Killer
Skulking Killer finds its niche in the Magic: The Gathering realm of creature control. In many regards, it can be considered alongside cards like Royal Assassin, which also dispatches tapped creatures with minimal effort. Unlike the Royal Assassin, Skulking Killer requires no mana to activate its ability, allowing you to use your resources elsewhere. Moreover, Skulking Killer is stealthier, being able to slip through defenses undetected.
Another peer within this category is Necrassass, which shares the kill-on-sight strategy. Necrassass can target creatures the moment they become tapped, a trait Skulking Killer capitalizes on as well. However, Necrassass serves a dual purpose by forfeiting itself for greater removal power, an option Skulking Killer does not share. Additionally, Fleshbag Marauder can often be found in discussions of removal creatures, forcing each player to sacrifice a creature upon entry to the battlefield. While it has a broader impact, it lacks the continuous threat posed by a standing Skulking Killer.
Ultimately, for players seeking to strategically and repeatedly remove key threats, Skulking Killer adds a fitting, cost-effective tool to their MTG arsenal. Despite the existence of others with similar abilities, this card’s unique activation cost and unassuming presence on the battlefield provide an edge in the creature control game.
Cards similar to Skulking Killer by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Skulking Killer MTG card by a specific set like Innistrad: Crimson Vow and Innistrad: Crimson Vow, 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 Skulking Killer and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Printings
The Skulking Killer Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2021-11-19 and 2022-01-28. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2021-11-19 | Innistrad: Crimson Vow | VOW | 296 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Karl Kopinski | |
| 2 | 2021-11-19 | Innistrad: Crimson Vow | VOW | 130 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Alex Brock | |
| 3 | 2022-01-28 | Innistrad: Double Feature | DBL | 397 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Alex Brock |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Skulking Killer has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | 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 Skulking Killer card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2021-11-19 | Skulking Killer's ability triggers even if all your opponents control more than one creature. If the targeted creature's controller controls any other creatures as the ability resolves, the ability won't do anything. Notably, that player could cast a creature spell with flash or create a creature token in response to avoid the -2/-2 effect. |
