Kjeldoran Skycaptain MTG Card
1995-06-03 - Number 39
1997-03-24 - Number 45
2008-09-22 - Number 23
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Human Soldier |
| Abilities | Banding,First strike,Flying |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
Banding, flying, first strike
"If we do our duty and uphold our honor, Kjeldor shall stand for a thousand years." —Arna Kennerüd, Skyknight
Cards like Kjeldoran Skycaptain
In the realm of Magic: The Gathering, the Kjeldoran Skycaptain holds a noteworthy position within the selection of sturdy flying creatures. It bears resemblance to other cards like the Aven Fisher, which also sports flying and presents a dying triggered ability, providing card advantage upon exiting the battlefield. However, the Kjeldoran Skycaptain stands out with its Reinforce mechanic, allowing players to bolster its strength or that of other creatures.
Comparably, the Benalish Cavalry, though grounded, is akin to the Skycaptain in its ability to reinforce creatures. It lacks the aerial prowess yet provides a similar feel with its support functionality. Another card to consider is Skyknight Legionnaire, which displays the valued flying trait and also possesses haste, enabling immediate impact on the game which the Skycaptain does not offer.
When considering the dynamic of flying creatures and supportive abilities, the Kjeldoran Skycaptain remains a resilient and adaptable choice. It may not be the swiftest creature in the skies of Magic: The Gathering, but its versatility and reinforcement capacity make it a commendable choice for deck builders who value tactical flexibility and staying power.
Cards similar to Kjeldoran Skycaptain by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Kjeldoran Skycaptain can be a solid pick when looking to bolster your board presence. Upon death, this card’s ability to replace itself with a 1/1 flyer ensures you maintain card presence on the battlefield, keeping the pressure on your opponent.
Resource Acceleration: While this card itself doesn’t directly accelerate resources, its relevance comes in the form of maintaining a creature in play even after it’s dealt with. The new flyer can be important for strategies that benefit from having a high creature count, such as convoke or synergy with equipment cards that require a creature to be effective.
Instant Speed: The Kjeldoran Skycaptain’s ability triggers instantly upon dying, meaning you get the replacement flyer right away, keeping your defensive options open or allowing an immediate counter-attack in your next turn. This quick shift in board state can be fundamental in the pace of the game, offering tactical flexibility.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Kjeldoran Skycaptain requires players to discard another card if they wish to take advantage of certain abilities, which can be a strategic setback when hand size is critical.
Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a precise combination of mana types for casting, which can be restrictive for decks that aren’t heavily invested in white mana sources.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that can be considered steep for its abilities, the Kjeldoran Skycaptain competes with other creatures and spells that could offer greater value or more immediate impact on the game board for a similar investment.
Reasons to Include Kjeldoran Skycaptain in Your Collection
Versatility: Kjeldoran Skycaptain offers a flexible role in decks with its flying ability, serving as both a defensive blocker and an evasive threat on the offense. Its echoed resurgence from the graveyard also ensures it can have a lasting presence on the battlefield.
Combo Potential: The Kjeldoran Skycaptain works exceptionally well in decks that capitalize on death triggers or resurrection themes. Its ability to come back with echo adds another layer to potential synergies, especially with cards that leverage creature reentries.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where skies are contested with numerous flying creatures, Kjeldoran Skycaptain holds its ground. It’s a solid choice for outmaneuvering opponents in aerial combat, proving its worth in decks seeking to dominate the vertical battlefield.
How to beat
The Kjeldoran Skycaptain is a unique figure in the landscape of Magic: The Gathering due to its ability to linger on the battlefield with its reinforcements capability. When it dies, if it had any reinforcements, it returns to the field with a +1/+1 counter for each of those. This ability makes it resilient to typical removal strategies that handle one-off threats.
To overcome this winged warrior, you’ll want to focus on exile effects or counterspells that can prevent the Skycaptain from landing on the field in the first place. Cards like Path to Exile or Swords to Plowshares can permanently rid the battlefield of this persistent flier without triggering its reinforcements ability. Alternatively, employing bounce effects to return the Skycaptain to its owner’s hand can negate any built-up counters, buying you time and board advantage.
Be strategic with your removal and consider the timing of your plays. Biding your time until your opponent is tapped out or exploiting a critical moment when they’re relying on the Skycaptain for defense can swing the tide in your favor. It’s a matter of understanding the Skycaptain’s strengths and turning them into weaknesses through clever play and the right cards.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Kjeldoran Skycaptain MTG card by a specific set like Ice Age and Fifth Edition, 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 Kjeldoran Skycaptain and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
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Printings
The Kjeldoran Skycaptain Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 1995-06-03 and 2008-09-22. Illustrated by Mark Poole.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1995-06-03 | Ice Age | ICE | 39 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Mark Poole | |
| 2 | 1997-03-24 | Fifth Edition | 5ED | 45 | 1997 | Normal | White | Mark Poole | |
| 3 | 2008-09-22 | Masters Edition II | ME2 | 23 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Mark Poole |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Kjeldoran Skycaptain has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Kjeldoran Skycaptain card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2008-10-01 | A maximum of one nonbanding creature can join an attacking band no matter how many creatures with banding are in it. |
| 2008-10-01 | Creatures in the same band must all attack the same player or planeswalker. |
| 2008-10-01 | If a creature with banding attacks, it can team up with any number of other attacking creatures with banding (and up to one nonbanding creature) and attack as a unit called a “band.” The band can be blocked by any creature that could block a single creature in the band. Blocking any creature in a band blocks the entire band. If a creature with banding is blocked, the attacking player chooses how the blockers’ damage is assigned. |
| 2009-10-01 | If a creature in combat has banding, its controller assigns damage for creatures blocking or blocked by it. That player can ignore the damage assignment order when making this assignment. |