Skaab Wrangler MTG Card
2021-09-24 - Number 75
2022-01-28 - Number 75
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Human Wizard |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Key Takeaways
- Skaab Wrangler offers card replenishment by transforming clue tokens into draws, enhancing hand resources.
- Its ability to provide resource acceleration indirectly helps players gain a strategic edge over time.
- Acting at instant speed, it introduces a level of flexibility and tactical depth to players’ responses.
Text of card
Tap three untapped creatures you control: Tap target creature.
After Uda's hat boutique in Selhoff was destroyed by werewolves, she relocated outside of town and took up a new type of sewing.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Skaab Wrangler enables you to tap an untapped zombie you control to investigate, which essentially translates to drawing a card once you pay the cost to turn the clue token into a card draw. This mechanism helps you to continually replenish your hand, which can be crucial in longer, grinding matches.
Resource Acceleration: While the card doesn’t directly produce mana or tokens that can be used for mana, the ability to generate clue tokens through its tap ability indirectly provides resource acceleration. You can use these clues to draw into more lands or spells, thereby increasing your resources over time.
Instant Speed: The capacity to tap another untapped zombie at instant speed means you can wait until your opponent’s turn to make a move, leaving you flexible to react to their actions. This can be unexpectedly powerful, especially if you have other instant-speed spells in hand, and can lead to tricky plays that disrupt your opponent’s strategy.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Engaging the abilities of Skaab Wrangler often requires the player to discard a card. This can deplete valuable hand resources, potentially leaving a player at a disadvantage if they cannot maintain a sufficient card advantage.
Specific Mana Cost: Skaab Wrangler necessitates a specific blend of mana colors to cast. This can be restrictive for players who are looking to build a deck with a diverse color pie, as it may clash with their mana base and slow down their gameplay.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: When measured against other creatures with similar abilities, Skaab Wrangler’s mana cost may be viewed as inefficient. Players might find alternatives that offer greater value or versatility for the same or lower mana investment.
Reasons to Include Skaab Wrangler in Your Collection
Versatility: Skaab Wrangler offers adaptability in gameplay, particularly in decks focused on graveyard synergy and creature manipulation. Its ability to tap creatures without summoning sickness adds a dynamic layer to both offensive and defensive strategies.
Combo Potential: As a creature that benefits from the presence of other tapped creatures, Skaab Wrangler works seamlessly with mechanics that tap your creatures as a cost or set-up for more powerful plays, enhancing numerous in-game combinations.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where creature-based strategies are prevalent, having the ability to control the battlefield with Skaab Wrangler’s tapping ability can be immensely powerful, making it a relevant addition to many decks keeping up with the ever-evolving meta.
How to beat
Skaab Wrangler brings a unique dynamic to the battlefield in MTG. Its ability to tap any number of untapped Zombies you control and subsequently tap a target creature an opponent controls sets it up as a controlling piece in Zombie-themed decks. This utility makes it a card to watch out for, especially in decks synergizing heavily with the undead.
Overcoming the Skaab Wrangler requires a multifaceted approach. Firstly, removing it directly with creature removal spells such as Fatal Push or Path to Exile can swiftly neutralize the threat. Another effective strategy is to minimize the presence of Zombies on the board, thereby nullifying the Wrangler’s tapping potential. Board wipes such as Wrath of God or Supreme Verdict are excellent at clearing the board of Zombies. Land management is also crucial; spells like Ghost Quarter can disrupt the mana base, hindering your opponent’s ability to both summon Skaab Wrangler and utilize its ability by deploying more Zombies.
Focusing on these strategies helps ensure that Skaab Wrangler doesn’t dictate the tempo of the game, providing a solid defense against this relentless MTG card and its undead army. Targeting the synergy that empowers Skaab Wrangler is key to maintaining control of the playing field.
Cards like Skaab Wrangler
Delving into the depth of blue’s creature control in MTG, Skaab Wrangler stands out with its ability to tap down opposing creatures. It shares this trait with cards like Frost Lynx, but with an upside. While Frost Lynx can only freeze a creature upon entering the battlefield, Skaab Wrangler can repeatedly disable adversaries every turn. This becomes more potent as you amass a larger graveyard teeming with creatures to fuel its ability.
Merfolk Windrobber is another creature that exploits the strength of a filled graveyard, offering the benefit of card draw upon death if an opponent has eight or more cards in their yard. Yet, unlike the recurring control provided by Skaab Wrangler, the Windrobber’s ability is a one-time effect. Ice-Bound Pilgrim also plays in the space of tapping creatures but is limited by its foretell cost, contrasting with the flexibility and free cost of activating Skaab Wrangler’s ability.
Ultimately, Skaab Wrangler exhibits a unique synergy within MTG’s blue affinity for control and graveyard manipulation. Its versatility in ongoing crowd control gives it an edge over others similar cards, marking it as a valuable piece in decks looking to stall the opponent’s board state.
Cards similar to Skaab Wrangler by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Skaab Wrangler MTG card by a specific set like Innistrad: Midnight Hunt and Innistrad: Double Feature, 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 Skaab Wrangler 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 Skaab Wrangler Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2021-09-24 and 2022-01-28. Illustrated by Billy Christian.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2021-09-24 | Innistrad: Midnight Hunt | MID | 75 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Billy Christian | |
| 2 | 2022-01-28 | Innistrad: Double Feature | DBL | 75 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Billy Christian |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Skaab Wrangler 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 Skaab Wrangler card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2021-09-24 | Since Skaab Wrangler's activated ability doesn't have a tap symbol in its cost, you can tap creatures that haven't been under your control since your most recent turn began (including Skaab Wrangler itself) to pay the cost. |
