Duskwalker MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	1
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Human Minion
Abilities	Kicker
Released	2000-10-02
Set symbol
Set name	Invasion
Set code	INV
Power	1
Toughness	1
Number	104
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	David Martin

Key Takeaways

Duskwalker offers card advantage and strategic diversity through deck filtering and instant-speed action.
The card’s early playability accelerates resource presence, yet it demands specific mana and a discard.
Despite its mana cost, Duskwalker’s kicker ability and meta adaptability make it a worthy collection addition.

Text of card

Kicker o3o B (You may pay an additional o3o B as you play this spell.) If you paid the kicker cost, Duskwalker comes into play with two +1/+1 counters on it and has "Duskwalker can't be blocked except by artifact creatures and/or black creatures."

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Duskwalker can provide card advantage with its inherent capability to help filter through the deck, offering strategic options to locate the precise tactics needed at pivotal moments during gameplay.

Resource Acceleration: As a low-cost creature, Duskwalker aids in resource acceleration. Its deployability in the early stages of the match provides a swift presence on the board, helping players ramp up their resources efficiently.

Instant Speed: Abilities that can be activated at instant speed add layers of complexity and strategic depth to the game. Duskwalker’s potential to operate under these conditions means players have increased flexibility, allowing them to adapt to an ever-shifting battlefield with finesse and precision.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Duskwalker requires you to discard a card to utilize its recycling ability, a significant setback when your hand is already depleted or if you need to maintain card advantage over your opponent.

Specific Mana Cost: Duskwalker not only demands black mana but also requires generic mana to play, thereby restricting it to black-centric or two-tone decks. This also limits its flexibility across various deck types that might not operate on or prioritize black mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that is considerably steep for its base stats and abilities, Duskwalker faces competition from other creatures and spells in the same mana range offering potentially greater impact or versatility on the battlefield.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Duskwalker is a card that can easily adapt to a range of deck types, serving as a quick early creature or an impactful late-game threat thanks to its kicker cost option.

Combo Potential: The ability to scale its power with the game’s progression allows Duskwalker to synergize with deck mechanics focused on creature buffs and graveyard strategies.

Meta-Relevance: As decks evolve to address the current competitive scene, Duskwalker remains a relevant choice, capable of contesting effectively against popular tempo plays and agile enough to slip through control measures.

How to Overcome Duskwalker in Gameplay

Duskwalker is an intriguing creature card in Magic: The Gathering, known for its kicker ability that makes it a formidable component in black decks. Mastering how to counteract Duskwalker’s benefits can give players a significant upper hand during matches. Typically, cards with kicker abilities offer versatility, but also present opportunities for strategic responses.

One of the most effective strategies to beat Duskwalker lies in timing. Playing instant-speed removal spells before the opponent has the mana to pay for the kicker cost can neutralize the threat early on. Removal spells such as Doom Blade or Go for the Throat can be key in dispatching Duskwalker before it becomes a larger problem on the battlefield. Additionally, using counter spells to prevent Duskwalker from entering the battlefield altogether puts you in a position of control, keeping the tempo of the game in your favor.

Moreover, leveraging graveyard manipulation cards that exile creatures removes the possibility of Duskwalker’s return, a common tactic in black decks that rely on recursion. In summary, understanding the mechanics of Duskwalker and applying precise removal and counter strategies are paramount in mitigating this card’s influence on the game.

Cards like Duskwalker

Duskwalker stands out in the spectrum of creature cards available in Magic: The Gathering. It invites comparison to other cards like Drudge Skeletons, which shares the regenerative capability. One of Duskwalker’s clear advantages is its kicker ability, which allows for late-game scaling by making the creature bigger if more mana is paid. Drudge Skeletons, albeit similar, does not offer this flexible growth.

Looking towards Skittering Heartstopper, another creature that can be tricky to remove, it has the added benefit of only requiring a single black mana to gain deathtouch until end of turn. This means Skittering Heartstopper can threaten to destroy any blocker or attacker, but unlike Duskwalker, it doesn’t get the chance to evolve into a larger threat. Nantuko Husk also enters the conversation as a creature capable of growing larger. However, its size depends on sacrificing other creatures, contrasting Duskwalker’s self-sufficient kicker feature which only costs mana.

When reflecting on Duskwalker alongside its counterparts, it proffers an intriguing choice for players who seek a creature that can serve as an early defender or be boosted into a formidable force as the game progresses.

Skittering Heartstopper - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Duskwalker by color, type and mana cost

Stone-Throwing Devils - MTG Card versions

Foulmire Knight // Profane Insight - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Duskwalker MTG card by a specific set like Invasion, 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 Duskwalker and other MTG cards: