Lyev Skyknight MTG Card
2012-10-05 - Number 179
2019-02-15 - Number 16
2022-07-08 - Number 246
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Human Knight |
| Abilities | Detain,Flying |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
Flying When Lyev Skyknight enters the battlefield, detain target nonland permanent an opponent controls. (Until your next turn, that permanent can't attack or block and its activated abilities can't be activated.)
Cards like Lyev Skyknight
Lyev Skyknight occupies a niche role as an evasion creature in Magic: The Gathering, blending functionality with aggressive flying capabilities. It’s often likened to creatures like Azorius Justiciar, which also detains a target when it enters the battlefield. Lyev Skyknight, however, excels with its flying trait, granting it a tactical advantage in bypassing ground-based defenses.
When comparing flyers, Stormfront Pegasus is another creature that comes to mind. It shares the same mana cost and power as Lyev Skyknight but lacks the ability to detain. This makes Lyev Skyknight particularly useful in controlling the pace of the game and limiting opponent options, something Stormfront Pegasus doesn’t afford. In the same breath, Vedalken Entrancer may not fly, but it brings a detain-like control effect to the table, hindering an opponent’s artifact or creature and enabling strategic play.
Each card finds its place depending on deck strategy and the desired interaction with opponents. Lyev Skyknight’s blend of control and mobility often sees it fit seamlessly into Azorius decks, where maintaining board control and chipping away at an opponent’s life total is paramount. Its distinguishing features position it well among its peers for players looking to blend offense with a touch of control.
Cards similar to Lyev Skyknight by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Lyev Skyknight provides key battlefield control through its detain ability. Upon entering the battlefield, it can neutralize an opponent’s threat for a turn, effectively giving you an upper hand and possibly leading to card advantage as your opponent may fail to draw into needed answers.
Resource Acceleration: This card doesn’t directly accelerate resources, but its low conversion-cost allows you to develop your board while keeping mana open for other spells. This efficient use of mana can indirectly lead to resource acceleration as it helps to streamline your strategy and maintain tempo.
Instant Speed: While not an instant itself, Lyev Skyknight’s detain mechanic can be a functional equivalent to instant-speed interaction. Detaining a key blocker or threat can shift the dynamics of a turn in your favor, which is especially valuable in timing-centric matches.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Lyev Skyknight does not require discarding as a cost, it’s important to note that not having a way to utilize the graveyard can pose a missed strategic opportunity, especially in formats where card recursion is valuable.
Specific Mana Cost: Lyev Skyknight’s mana cost is relatively specific, requiring both white and blue mana, which may not be easily accommodated outside of Azorius or multicolored decks, potentially limiting its versatility.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that includes two specific mana types, some may argue that Lyev’s Skyknight’s efficiency could be outmatched by lower-cost creatures with similar or more impactful detain abilities.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Lyev Skyknight is a dynamic card that can easily adapt to various deck types. Its abilities are invaluable in Azorius decks that emphasize control as well as in more aggressive strategies that require a reliable flyer.
Combo Potential: The detain mechanic on Lyev Skyknight can work wonders in synergizing with strategies that aim to restrict the opponent’s options. It can be part of a tactical play, stalling the opponent while setting up for a game-winning move.
Meta-Relevance: As the MTG landscape shifts, control elements often retain power. Lyev Skyknight holds its own in environments where tempo plays are critical, making it a potential asset against a variety of current decks.
How to beat
Lyev Skyknight presents a unique battlefield challenge with its detain ability, effectively neutralizing a target nonland permanent an opponent controls until the next turn. This Azorius-colored flyer can significantly disrupt your game plan, especially if you rely on creatures or artifacts for momentum.
One effective strategy to overcome Lyev Skyknight is to prioritize removal spells that can bypass its ability. Instants such as Fatal Push or Path to Exile can be particularly useful, as they’re cost-efficient and can be used in response to the Skyknight’s enter-the-battlefield effect. Additionally, keeping a diverse array of threats on the board ensures that the detain ability won’t leave you completely hamstrung. Remember, cards with flash can also be instrumental in maintaining tempo, allowing you to react during your opponent’s turn and possibly lessening the impact of the Skyknight’s ability.
Lastly, cards with hexproof or protection from creatures safeguard your key assets from being targeted by such control tactics. Incorporate these solutions into your MTG deck-building strategy to gain the upper hand against opponents employing Lyev Skyknight and similar control elements in their decks.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Lyev Skyknight MTG card by a specific set like Return to Ravnica and RNA Guild Kit, 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 Lyev Skyknight and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
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- Card Market
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- MTG Mint Card
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Printings
The Lyev Skyknight Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2012-10-05 and 2022-07-08. Illustrated by Johannes Voss.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2012-10-05 | Return to Ravnica | RTR | 179 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Johannes Voss | |
| 2 | 2019-02-15 | RNA Guild Kit | GK2 | 16 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Johannes Voss | |
| 3 | 2022-07-08 | Double Masters 2022 | 2X2 | 246 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Johannes Voss |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Lyev Skyknight has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Lyev Skyknight card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2013-04-15 | Activated abilities include a colon and are written in the form “ -ost: -ffect].” No one can activate any activated abilities, including mana abilities, of a detained permanent. |
| 2013-04-15 | If a creature is already attacking or blocking when it’s detained, it won’t be removed from combat. It will continue to attack or block. |
| 2013-04-15 | If a noncreature permanent is detained and later turns into a creature, it won’t be able to attack or block. |
| 2013-04-15 | If a permanent’s activated ability is on the stack when that permanent is detained, the ability will be unaffected. |
| 2013-04-15 | The static abilities of a detained permanent still apply. The triggered abilities of a detained permanent can still trigger. |
| 2013-04-15 | When a player leaves a multiplayer game, any continuous effects with durations that last until that player’s next turn or until a specific point in that turn will last until that turn would have begun. They neither expire immediately nor last indefinitely. |