Mystic Skull // Mystic Monstrosity MTG Card
2021-09-24 - Number 256
2022-01-28 - Number 256
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Artifact |
| Abilities | Transform |
Text of card
, : Add one mana of any color. , : Transform Mystic Skull.
It waited on the barn wall for decades, forgotten, looking for the perfect opportunity.
Cards like Mystic Skull // Mystic Monstrosity
The card Mystic Skull // Mystic Monstrosity finds its place in the sphere of versatile MTG cards, offering a duality that many players can appreciate. This artifact card shares similarities with other modal double-faced cards, such as Azor’s Gateway // Sanctum of the Sun, which transforms to serve a different purpose. Mystic Skull, in its original form, grants mana of any color, much like the initial artifact side of Azor’s Gateway that filters colorless mana into one mana of any color.
Where Mystic Skull takes a unique spin is in its ability to become Mystic Monstrosity, a powerful creature, which mirrors the transformative nature of cards like Primal Amulet // Primal Wellspring. While the latter transforms into a land that replicates spells, Mystic Skull becomes a creature that adapts to the number of lands a player controls, highlighting its strength in land-centric decks.
Despite its similarities, this dual-faced card brings additional flexibility to the table, carving out a distinct niche for itself in decks that benefit from mana fixing and scales smoothly into a late-game threat. For deck-builders seeking adaptability and scalability, Mystic Skull // Mystic Monstrosity is a worthy consideration.
Cards similar to Mystic Skull // Mystic Monstrosity by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Mystic Skull // Mystic Monstrosity grants you flexibility on the field by providing additional card options when it transforms. This multi-faceted card can adapt to various situations, potentially keeping your hand filled with more resources than your opponent.
Resource Acceleration: As a mana-producing artifact, Mystic Skull assists in ramping up your resources, enabling you to cast more significant spells ahead of your opponent’s mana curve. When this card becomes Mystic Monstrosity, its ability to generate any color of mana can be pivotal for multicolor decks that require precise mana fixing.
Instant Speed: The ability of Mystic Skull to transform at instant speed into Mystic Monstrosity provides a strategic advantage. You can surprise your opponents by unveiling a potent threat at the most opportune moment, often during their end step or when they least expect it, thereby dodging sorcery-speed removal.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Mystic Skull // Mystic Monstrosity requires pitching another card from your hand to transform it, making it a potentially costly play when your hand is dwindling, and resources are scarce.
Specific Mana Cost: To cast this spell, it demands a precise blend of mana types that can be challenging to assemble, particularly in multi-colored decks that may not always have the right mana at the crucial moment.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its transformation cost sitting at a hefty sum of mana, players may find that other cards in their arsenal can evoke more substantial board presence or provide quicker benefits, making it a less attractive option in fast-paced games.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Mystic Skull // Mystic Monstrosity offers a great degree of flexibility thanks to its modal double-faced nature. It starts as a mana rock that can adapt to any color of mana you need and transforms into a sizable creature that can be a real game-changer on the battlefield.
Combo Potential: The card complements numerous strategies as it moves from an accelerating artifact to a potent threat. This shift can be the key to unleashing powerful combos or interacting superbly with deck themes that capitalize on permanent type switching or artifact synergies.
Meta-Relevance: Its duality ensures relevance in various metagames. Whether you are dealing with a slower, more controlling environment where ramping up is essential, or a field full of creature-based tactics where a big monster can make a significant impact, Mystic Skull // Mystic Monstrosity holds its ground.
How to beat
Mystic Skull // Mystic Monstrosity in Magic: The Gathering presents an innovative way to manipulate your mana resources. As an artifact, Mystic Skull holds potential in mana fixing, being able to transform into a land card – Mystic Monstrosity, which provides any color of mana. This flexibility can be crucial in multicolored decks where mana consistency is key.
To counter this versatile card, strategic removal is essential. Focusing on artifact destruction spells such as Abrade or Disenchant can effectively disrupt your opponent’s mana base and reduce their ability to cast multicolored spells unhindered. Applying pressure through fast-paced aggressive strategies can also overwhelm a player relying on the setup that Mystic Skull provides before it becomes fully operational.
Denying your opponent the chance to exploit the transformation feature is paramount. Be watchful of their mana pool and be ready with instant-speed removal when they attempt to invest the five mana to morph Mystic Skull into Mystic Monstrosity. By anticipating this play and interrupting it, you maintain the upper hand and keep control over the game’s pace.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Mystic Skull // Mystic Monstrosity MTG card by a specific set like Innistrad: Midnight Hunt and Innistrad: Double Feature, 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 Mystic Skull // Mystic Monstrosity 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
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Printings
The Mystic Skull // Mystic Monstrosity Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2021-09-24 and 2022-01-28. Illustrated by Joe Slucher.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2021-09-24 | Innistrad: Midnight Hunt | MID | 256 | 2015 | Transform | Black | Joe Slucher | |
| 2 | 2022-01-28 | Innistrad: Double Feature | DBL | 256 | 2015 | Transform | Black | Joe Slucher |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Mystic Skull // Mystic Monstrosity has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |