Monoskelion MTG Card
2021-06-18 - Number 229
2021-06-18 - Number 429
2021-08-26 - Number 748
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Artifact Creature — Construct |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
Monoskelion enters the battlefield with a +1/+1 counter on it. , Remove a +1/+1 counter from Monoskelion: It deals 1 damage to any target.
An unfinished body with unfinished business.
Cards like Monoskelion
Monoskelion enters the vast arena of Magic: The Gathering as a creature with a knack for dealing damage directly to opponents or creatures. Its closest relative is Triskelion, a classic artifact creature that similarly distributes damage through removing +1/+1 counters. While Monoskelion may offer fewer counters than Triskelion, it compensates with a lower mana cost, making it more accessible in the early game.
Arcbound Slith presents another parallel, arriving with modular abilities that potentially leave behind a more substantial battlefield presence upon its demise. Despite its initially smaller size compared to Monoskelion, Arcbound Slith scales with the number of counters it can accumulate over time. Walking Ballista also deserves a mention; it wields a powerful flexible mana cost and the ability to deal damage in a similar fashion. However, its scalability and versatileness in both offense and defense frequently overshadow its costlier entry onto the battlefield.
In sum, Monoskelion offers MTG aficionados a balance between immediate impact and overall utility. Its straight-to-the-point damage application provides an appealing option when evaluating artifacts and creature cards that revolve around the mechanic of removing counters to deal damage.
Cards similar to Monoskelion by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Monoskelion. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Jeskai Midrange | Gladiator | Sword and Sandals Showdown: AM Week 12 2024 | |
| Azorius Aggro | Gladiator | Gladiator Team Unified League |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Monoskelion comes with the unique ability to chip in extra damage over time. While it doesn’t draw cards directly, eliminating small creatures or whittling down an opponent’s life total can tilt the game in your favor, practically giving you an advantage without using additional cards.
Resource Acceleration: Offering a repeatable damage source, Monoskelion effectively saves your other resources. You can use your mana and spells elsewhere, knowing that Monoskelion continues to exert pressure and manage threats turn after turn.
Instant Speed: Although Monoskelion itself is not an instant, its activated ability can be used at instant speed. This allows for strategic plays during the opponent’s turn, efficiently managing the board and making calculated moves without committing to a main-phase play.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Monoskelion demands a significant discard commitment, making it potentially cumbersome when you need to maintain card advantage or lack sufficient hand size to accommodate the cost.
Specific Mana Cost: The Monoskelion requires a precise mana alignment to cast, which might not always be in sync with your deck’s mana base, leading to potential delays or even an inability to play the card when needed.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The card enters the battlefield at a steep mana valuation that may not align with its impact on the game. When compared to other cards with similar mana costs, Monoskelion might not provide the same level of board presence or strategic advantage.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Monoskelion’s adaptability is its forte. As a colorless creature, it can seamlessly slot into any MTG deck without concern for mana base. Its modular ability and damage-dealing capability also make it a great fit for a variety of strategies, especially those that need a reliable source of damage or a way to manipulate +1/+1 counters.
Combo Potential: One of the key attractions of Monoskelion is its synergy with cards that proliferate or double +1/+1 counters. This amplifies its potential for both offense and intricate combos, offering a spectrum of possibilities for experienced players to explore and exploit within their decks.
Meta-Relevance: Considering the evolving meta, Monoskelion holds its ground due to its inherent utility against a range of strategies. Able to pick off smaller creatures or chip away at a player’s life total, it offers an edge in games where incremental damage and counter management can turn the tides of battle.
How to beat Monoskelion
Monoskelion presents a unique challenge on the battlefield with its ability to ping creatures or players when it comes into play or leaves the battlefield. However, there are several strategies you can employ to mitigate its impact in a game of Magic: The Gathering. Consider running instant-speed removal spells. By doing so, you can destroy Monoskelion before its controller has the opportunity to use its ability, effectively negating the damage it can do.
Another effective tactic is to use spells or abilities that prevent counters from being placed on creatures. Since Monoskelion relies on +1/+1 counters to function, stopping these counters will leave it as nothing more than a simple creature with no impact. Additionally, using shroud or hexproof on your creatures can protect them from Monoskelion’s targeted ability.
By understanding these strategies and incorporating them into your deck, you’re better equipped to face down Monoskelion and maintain control of the board state. Adaptability is key, so always be prepared to adjust your tactics based on the creatures and spells your opponent wields.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Monoskelion MTG card by a specific set like Modern Horizons 2 and Modern Horizons 2, 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 Monoskelion 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
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Printings
The Monoskelion Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2021-06-18 and 2021-08-26. Illustrated by Jason A. Engle.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2021-06-18 | Modern Horizons 2 | MH2 | 229 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jason A. Engle | |
| 2 | 2021-06-18 | Modern Horizons 2 | MH2 | 429 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Jason A. Engle | |
| 3 | 2021-08-26 | Jumpstart: Historic Horizons | J21 | 748 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jason A. Engle |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Monoskelion has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |