Minotaur Skullcleaver MTG Card

Tempo advantage through immediate board presence and offensive pressure requiring opponent response. Excels in fast-paced gameplay, fitting aggressively styled archetypes due to its haste ability. Needs strategic hand management to mitigate its entry discard requirement and mana specificity.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Minotaur Berserker
Abilities Haste
Power 2
Toughness 2

Text of card

Haste When Minotaur Skullcleaver enters the battlefield, it gets +2/+0 until end of turn.

"Their only dreams are of full stomachs." —Kleon the Iron-Booted

Cards like Minotaur Skullcleaver

Minotaur Skullcleaver is a notable creature in MTG’s array of Minotaur warriors. It finds parallels with cards like Ahn-Crop Crasher, sharing haste but costing one less mana. However, Ahn-Crop Crasher offers a unique exert ability to keep a creature from blocking, which Minotaur Skullcleaver lacks.

Mardu Scout is another creature worth comparing. It also possesses dash and haste, meaning it can hit the battlefield quickly. Unlike Minotaur Skullcleaver that gets a temporary power boost when entering the battlefield, Mardu Scout maintains a consistent threat level while providing flexible deployment options.

While assessing these options, players should consider their strategy. Minotaur Skullcleaver is excellent for the initial impact, perfect for aggressive decks aiming for a strong, early offensive. In contrast, creatures like Ahn-Crop Crasher offer more tactical flexibility in a game. Choices depend on whether a player values immediate force or potential for longer-term tactical plays.

Ahn-Crop Crasher - MTG Card versions
Mardu Scout - MTG Card versions
Ahn-Crop Crasher - MTG Card versions
Mardu Scout - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Minotaur Skullcleaver doesn’t offer direct card draw, its impact on the board can be a form of tempo advantage, pressuring opponents and often demanding an answer.

Resource Acceleration: Minotaur Skullcleaver excels in aggressive decks that aim to streamline their resources towards dealing damage fast. Upon entering the battlefield, its haste ability means immediate impact without waiting for summoning sickness to clear.

Instant Speed: Even though this card operates at sorcery speed, its haste feature compensates by allowing swift, offensive maneuvers that can catch an opponent off guard the moment it’s played, simulating the tactical edge of instant speed interactions.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Minotaur Skullcleaver demands an immediate Discard upon entry, which can deplete your hand when you might need those cards for future plays or strategies.

Specific Mana Cost: The Minotaur Skullcleaver requires a specific combination of mana to cast, one red mana plus two of any other type, which might not seamlessly integrate into multi-color decks that are mana diverse.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana for a 2/2 that only gets a temporary boost upon entering the battlefield, it can be less mana-efficient compared to other creatures in the same cost bracket that offer more lasting benefits or stronger base stats.

Reasons to Include Minotaur Skullcleaver in Your Collection

Versatility: Minotaur Skullcleaver has the flexibility to slide into aggressive red decks, especially those looking to capitalize on the haste attribute, dealing immediate damage upon entering the battlefield.

Combo Potential: With its haste and increased power the turn it enters the battlefield, the Skullcleaver pairs well with cards that benefit from attacking creatures, such as those with Raid or other attack-triggered abilities.

Meta-Relevance: In a metagame filled with slower, more deliberate decks, having a creature like Minotaur Skullcleaver can give you an early edge, applying pressure right from the start of the match.

How to beat Minotaur Skullcleaver

Minotaur Skullcleaver makes its presence felt by offering immediate impact with haste, boosting its power for the turn it enters the battlefield. Despite this aggressive entrance, this creature can be checked by prioritizing its rapid removal. Spells that can target and eliminate creatures the moment they hit the play, such as Doom Blade or Path to Exile, prove to be effective counters to the Skullcleaver’s fleeting surge of power.

Another strategy to overcome a creature like Minotaur Skullcleaver is through the art of timely chump blocking. Enlisting creatures with high toughness or those that can be regenerated can mitigate the initial onslaught, safely absorbing the extra damage dealt on its first and potentially only attack. Additionally, instant speed removal during combat or effects that reduce its power also serve to nullify the threat, ensuring it becomes less of a game-changer and more of a brief hurdle to your strategy.

Overall, the key to beating Minotaur Skullcleaver lies in swift and decisive reactions, stripping away its advantage and leaving it as nothing more than a brief threat that was swiftly neutralized.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Minotaur Skullcleaver MTG card by a specific set like Theros and Jumpstart, 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 Minotaur Skullcleaver and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Minotaur Skullcleaver Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2013-09-27 and 2020-07-17. Illustrated by Phill Simmer.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12013-09-27TherosTHS 1302003NormalBlackPhill Simmer
22020-07-17JumpstartJMP 3492015NormalBlackPhill Simmer

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Minotaur Skullcleaver has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal