Skatewing Spy MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Vedalken Rogue Mutant
Abilities	Adapt
Released	2019-01-25
Set symbol
Set name	Ravnica Allegiance
Set code	RNA
Power	2
Toughness	3
Number	52
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Grzegorz Rutkowski

Key Takeaways

Grants flying to creatures with +1/+1 counters, increasing offensive strategies and forcing opponent reactions.
Instant speed adapt offers strategic flexibility and immediate board impact when needed.
Lacking a discard requirement, it may be less fitting for specific deck synergies focused on graveyard strategies.

Text of card

: Adapt 2. (If this creature has no +1/+1 counters on it, put two +1/+1 counters on it.) Each creature you control with a +1/+1 counter on it has flying.

"A better Ravnica begins with a better Simic." —Vannifar

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Skatewing Spy’s ability to grant all creatures you control with +1/+1 counters the ability to fly presents a strategic advantage. This can effectively increase your options during combat, allowing for more direct attacks and potentially drawing out your opponent’s resources to deal with flying threats.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly impacting mana resources, Skatewing Spy’s adapt mechanic enables you to use mana at a crucial moment to buff your creature, which could turn the tides in your favor during battle. In essence, it can accelerate your board presence and potentially your path to victory.

Instant Speed: Adapt is a mechanic that can be activated at instant speed, and this feature of Skatewing Spy gives you flexibility during gameplay. You can decide to adapt in response to your opponent’s actions, making it a versatile tool in both offense and defense, adjusting your strategy on the fly according to the developing game state.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Skatewing Spy’s value is unquestionable in decks that capitalize on +1/+1 counters, but it poses none of the discard requirements that can often balance out powerful abilities in other cards. This might seem like an upside, but in certain decks, such as those using the madness mechanic or those looking to enable graveyard strategies, a discard requirement might actually serve as an embedded engine, making the Spy a less synergistic option for such builds.

Specific Mana Cost: The Spy demands a specific mana cost to unlock its full potential—two generic and one blue mana might be restrictive for multicolored decks not heavily invested in blue. Additionally, activating its adapt ability requires a substantial investment of one generic and two blue mana, which emphasizes a commitment to blue resources and could compete with other mana demands in the crucial mid-game stage.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For four mana, the initial body of Skatewing Spy—a 2/3 flyer—is respectable, but not groundbreaking. There are more cost-effective creatures available that can provide immediate impact without the precondition of other +1/+1 counters present on the field. Consequently, its four-mana casting cost places it in a competitive slot, often facing off against spells and creatures with inherently stronger or more immediate board presence.

Reasons to Include Skatewing Spy in Your Collection

Versatility: Skatewing Spy offers a unique adaptability to any deck that emphasizes +1/+1 counters. Its ability to grant all creatures with a +1/+1 counter the flying trait makes it a solid inclusion in decks looking to dominate the skies.

Combo Potential: This card shines when paired with strategies revolving around proliferate mechanics or numerous +1/+1 counter distributions, enabling a formidable board presence that’s tough to block.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment where evasive creatures are essential to bypass ground stalls, Skatewing Spy proves its worth by elevating your team’s offense and ensuring your threats remain relevant, regardless of what your opponents have on the field.

How to beat

Skatewing Spy is a pivotal creature card that can elevate your game strategy by granting your creatures with +1/+1 counters the ability to fly. This unique ability makes it an excellent card in a deck that focuses on buffing creatures, giving you an aerial advantage against opponents. However, to outmaneuver Skatewing Spy, you’ll want to employ removal spells that can efficiently dispatch creatures regardless of their size or abilities. Cards like Fatal Push or Path to Exile are great choices as they can target and eliminate Skatewing Spy before it becomes a threat in the air.

Relying on board wipes such as Wrath of God or Damnation can also prove beneficial. These spells clear the entire battlefield of creatures, negating Skatewing Spy’s influence altogether. Additionally, countermagic like Negate or Essence Scatter can prevent the Spy from hitting the board in the first place, robbing the opponent of the opportunity to build their aerial force. It’s vital to manage your resources wisely and remain proactive about controlling the board when facing decks that include Skatewing Spy.

Taking everything into account, strategic use of removals, counterspells, and board wipes can help keep Skatewing Spy in check and maintain your position in the game.

Cards like Skatewing Spy

Skatewing Spy offers significant aerial advantage in Magic: The Gathering, echoing the mechanics of established cards such as Towering Indrik. Both creatures bolster your board presence but Skatewing Spy has the added utility of granting flying to each creature you control with a +1/+1 counter. Unlike Towering Indrik, which primarily serves as a sizeable wall against flyers.

Another kindred card is Sapphire Drake, which, similar to the Spy, allows your creatures with +1/+1 counters to fly over the battlefield. While Sapphire Drake brings a heavier body to the game, Skatewing Spy stands out with its lower mana cost and ability to affect the board immediately upon obtaining the necessary counters.

Diving deeper, Aven Wind Mage can be mentioned in this cadre, known for its prowess on spellcasting which enhances its own power through flying. While Skatewing Spy does not directly buff itself, the Spy’s potential to ascend an entire army contrasts with Aven Wind Mage’s singular focus. Examining these comparisons shows how Skatewing Spy carves a niche within the realm of creature enhancements, especially in decks focused on +1/+1 counters synergies.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Skatewing Spy MTG card by a specific set like Ravnica Allegiance, 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 Skatewing Spy and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Skatewing Spy has restrictions

Format	Legality
Historicbrawl	Legal
Historic	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Restricted
Oathbreaker	Legal
Gladiator	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Commander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Explorer	Legal
Penny	Legal
Timeless	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2019-01-25	If a creature somehow loses all of its +1/+1 counters, it can adapt again and get more +1/+1 counters.
2019-01-25	You can always activate an ability that will cause a creature to adapt. As that ability resolves, if the creature has a +1/+1 counter on it for any reason, you simply won’t put any +1/+1 counters on it.