Stenchskipper MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Rare
Type	Creature — Elemental
Abilities	Flying
Released	2008-02-01
Set symbol
Set name	Morningtide
Set code	MOR
Power	6
Toughness	5
Number	79
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Howard Lyon

Key Takeaways

Stenchskipper offers strategic value by complementing graveyard-based tactics in play.
Goblin tribal decks gain an early power boost with Stenchskipper’s efficient cost.
Despite a demanding upkeep, it’s a strong contender in death-trigger heavy metas.

Text of card

Flying At end of turn, if you control no Goblins, sacrifice Stenchskipper.

"Many believe it to be the manifestation of all that is vile about the boggarts. I believe it should be avoided—from upwind, if possible." —Cenn Deagan

Card Pros

Card Advantage: When looking at Stenchskipper, a benefit comes from its synergy with other cards that exploit the grave. Although not directly providing card advantage on its own, it can complement strategies that profit from having creatures in the graveyard, setting the stage for advantageous interactions.

Resource Acceleration: While Stenchskipper isn’t a direct source of resource acceleration, its initial cost is relatively low for its power level. This makes it a cost-effective creature that can hit the board early and apply pressure, ultimately leading to indirect resource advantages through board presence.

Instant Speed: Stenchskipper lacks instant speed capabilities, but its passive ability can be a significant tactical element. Due to its unique reanimation condition, players must think swiftly about how to maintain a requisite number of Goblins in play, which indirectly bolsters quick, strategic planning and execution during gameplay.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: To keep Stenchskipper on the battlefield, you need to have another Goblin card in hand to discard at the beginning of the end step. This can be cumbersome if your hand is depleting or you’re out of synergistic cards.

Specific Mana Cost: Stenchskipper has a mana cost that requires both black and blue mana. This dual-color demand might not fit smoothly into all deck archetypes, potentially limiting its inclusion to only specific strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For a creature with an unconventional upkeep cost, its mana value might be on the higher side, especially when weighed against other creatures in the same cost range that don’t have additional discard requirements.

Reasons to Include Stenchskipper in Your Collection

Versatility: Despite being a quirky card, Stenchskipper can be a strategic addition to decks that capitalize on graveyard mechanics. Its flying ability provides a reliable blocker or finisher in the air.

Combo Potential: This card shines in combos with effects that can prevent it from sacrificing itself, such as cards that stop or reverse losing conditions, keeping it a constant threat on the board.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where death-trigger effects are abundant, Stenchskipper can be surprisingly relevant. Its sacrifice condition may turn from a drawback to an advantage when paired with the right synergistic cards.

How to beat

Stenchskipper presents a unique challenge on the MTG battleground with its inherent ability to remain on the field as long as you control another Goblin. This can make it seem like an insurmountable obstacle, especially when paired with a horde of these mischievous creatures. To effectively counter this, removal spells that deal with multiple creatures can be a game changer. Board-clearing spells, such as Wrath of God or Blasphemous Act, can sweep the battlefield clean and leave the Stenchskipper without any support to cling to.

Alternatively, exile-based removal like Path to Exile or Swords to Plowshares can permanently deal with Stenchskipper, bypassing its conditional immortality. If the battlefield state allows it, controlling the number of Goblins can also serve to neutralize Stenchskipper’s advantage. Keeping creature removal at the ready can ensure that Stenchskipper loses its grip on the battlefield, turning it into a fleeting threat rather than a persistent nuisance.

Strategies involving graveyard disruption can also prevent a Stenchskipper from returning via other means. Tools such as Relic of Progenitus or Rest in Peace can keep this pesky flyer from making an aerial comeback. While Stenchskipper has its strengths, a well-prepared defense can effectively clip its wings and keep your opponent grounded.

Cards like Stenchskipper

In the ecosystem of Magic: The Gathering, Stenchskipper stands out as a unique creature card with a distinct downside that plays into its tribal allegiance. It’s closely related to other cards that benefit from a heavy tribal presence, such as Cairn Wanderer, which boasts a diverse set of abilities based on what creatures are in your graveyard. Unlike Cairn Wanderer, Stenchskipper requires a certain threshold of Goblins to circumvent its self-sacrifice clause, thus promoting dedication to a Goblin-themed deck.

Another card reminiscent of its mechanic is Kjeldoran Dead, which also has a detrimental effect that forces it to be sacrificed unless a creature card is exiled from your graveyard. It presents a similar deck-building challenge, nudging players towards strategies that either mitigate or exploit the sacrificial demand. While Stenchskipper offers a stronger body on the battlefield, Kjeldoran Dead offers greater control over its fate through selective graveyard interaction.

Ultimately, Stenchskipper’s unique challenge to maintain a critical mass of Goblins renders it an intriguing option for tribal enthusiasts. It’s a high-risk, high-reward card that potentially spearheads a powerful offensive if well-supported, not unlike its counterparts that thrive on synergistic interactions within the tribe.

Where to buy

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

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Stenchskipper has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Stenchskipper card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date	Text
2008-04-01	This ability checks whether you control any Goblins twice each turn: once when the ability would trigger, and once when it resolves. If you control any Goblins at either time, you won’t sacrifice Stenchskipper. (If you control any Goblins at the time the ability would trigger, it doesn’t trigger at all.)