Necrogen Scudder MTG Card
2010-10-01 - Number 71
2014-07-18 - Number 106
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Phyrexian Horror |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
Flying When Necrogen Scudder enters the battlefield, you lose 3 life.
Contrary to popular belief, it's kept aloft by necrogen gas, not the screaming agony of a thousand murdered souls.
Cards like Necrogen Scudder
Necrogen Scudder holds a unique place among flying creatures in MTG. It draws a curious parallel with Vampire Nighthawk, a card praised for its utility and efficiency. While Necrogen Scudder’s stats are notable, offering a solid 3/3 flying for three mana, it comes with a life payment cost. Vampire Nighthawk may have a lower power and toughness at 2/3, but it compensates with deathtouch and lifelink, making it a formidable defender and a recurring source of life for the player.
Another creature that enters the comparison is Falkenrath Noble. Although slightly more expensive mana-wise, it provides the advantage of causing life loss to an opponent while you gain life whenever another creature dies. In contrast, Necrogen Scudder is a more aggressive flier, aiming to deal damage quickly without depending on other creatures’ fates.
Navigating the options within the MTG universe, Necrogen Scudder may not be the most feature-rich flying creature but appeals to players seeking straightforward aerial force with a balanced cost-to-power ratio. Its niche lies in its aggressive early game presence, a strategy that complements specific deck builds over cards with more complex abilities.
Cards similar to Necrogen Scudder by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Necrogen Scudder offers strategic benefits to players by providing a solid body on the board. While it doesn’t directly allow you to draw cards, it can indirectly influence card advantage by requiring opponents to deal with it or trade multiple resources to overcome it.
Resource Acceleration: Although not a direct source of mana acceleration, it serves as a resilient threat that can be played early in the game. By pressuring your opponent early, you might force them to use their mana inefficiently, indirectly accelerating your own resource advantage over them.
Instant Speed: This creature lacks instant speed capabilities itself, but its sheer presence can dictate the pace of the game. Being a creature that can potentially come down on turn three, it allows you to maintain mana for other instant speed interactions while establishing your game plan with a significant threat.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Necrogen Scudder demands a card be discarded upon entering the battlefield. This can deplete your hand, leaving you at a disadvantage, particularly when you’re trying to maintain card advantage against your opponent.
Specific Mana Cost: The casting cost of Necrogen Scudder includes black mana symbols, which ties it exclusively to decks that can produce black mana. This mana specificity may restrict deck-building options and hinder its inclusion in multicolored decks lacking a strong black mana base.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Priced at three mana, the cost-to-power ratio can be a setback. Other creatures and spells at a similar cost could provide greater impact on the game, making Necrogen Scudder a less favorable choice when optimizing your deck’s efficiency.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Necrogen Scudder’s flexibility lies in its straightforward yet effective presence on the battlefield. With its ability to swiftly diminish an opponent’s life total, it can serve a vital role in a variety of black-aligned or multicolored decks, particularly those needing solid aerial threats.
Combo Potential: This creature pairs well with strategies centered around life total manipulation. Decks that benefit from both life payment and life gain mechanisms can harness Necrogen Scudder’s life cost for larger plays or to fulfill conditions for certain potent abilities.
Meta-Relevance: In a game environment where aggressive starts can determine the outcome, Necrogen Scudder’s place is undeniable. It’s a reliable choice against slower decks, forcing opponents to deal with an evasive threat that can quickly alter the pace of the match.
How to Beat
Necrogen Scudder is an intriguing creature in Magic: The Gathering that brings a unique mix of pain and gain to the battlefield. Defeating this card requires strategic balancing since accepting the life loss for its substantial power is inevitable for its user. To counteract the self-damaging effects of Necrogen Scudder, players should consider using life gain tactics or spells to offset the life paid for summoning this creature.
Removal spells also serve as a straightforward solution to this relentless flier. Cards such as Doom Blade or Path to Exile can swiftly deal with the Scudder, eliminating the threat without the opponent benefiting from the life loss. Creature-based strategies could include deathtouch creatures that can block and destroy it despite its size, such as Typhoid Rats, ensuring a very cost-effective exchange.
Lastly, players might opt for counterspells to prevent Necrogen Scudder from hitting the field in the first place. A well-timed Counterspell or Mana Leak ensures that your opponent pays the life cost without reaping the benefits of the creature’s presence on their side. Planning ahead and keeping mana open for these interactions can be key to maintaining control over the match.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Necrogen Scudder MTG card by a specific set like Scars of Mirrodin and Magic 2015, 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 Necrogen Scudder 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 Necrogen Scudder Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2010-10-01 and 2014-07-18. Illustrated by Raymond Swanland.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2010-10-01 | Scars of Mirrodin | SOM | 71 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Raymond Swanland | |
| 2 | 2014-07-18 | Magic 2015 | M15 | 106 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Raymond Swanland |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Necrogen Scudder has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |