Saltskitter MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Wurm |
| Released | 2007-05-04 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Future Sight |
| Set code | FUT |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 4 |
| Number | 14 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Chippy |
Text of card
Whenever another creature comes into play, remove Saltskitter from the game. Return Saltskitter to play under its owner's control at end of turn.
Cards like Saltskitter
Saltskitter is an intriguing creature card within the depth of MTG’s repertoire. Its blinking ability closely resembles that which is found in cards like Whitemane Lion. Both thrive on the essence of returning a creature to its owner’s hand; Saltskitter brings versatility whenever another creature enters the battlefield, while Whitemane Lion hinges on its own casting. Saltskitter reenters covertly at end of turn, providing a repetitive protective measure.
Nevertheless, Dust Elemental pushes the mechanic further by allowing the return of three creatures, not just one, similar to Saltskitter’s single orbit. Despite its power, Dust Elemental does not have the stability of Saltskitter’s consistent re-entry. In terms of endurance, Saltskitter can circumvent removal attempts more efficiently, bouncing in and out of play seamlessly.
Despite their nuance, the likes of Saltskitter enrich the gameplay experience by offering strategic depth and resilience, especially in decks aiming to exploit enter-the-battlefield triggers. These creatures share a kinship, yet each card’s unique conditions give it a particular niche within the constantly evolving landscape of MTG.
Cards similar to Saltskitter by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Saltskitter has a unique ability to return to the battlefield whenever another creature enters the field under your control. This can consistently provide you with a creature presence, ensuring that you maintain card advantage without having to commit more cards from your hand.
Resource Acceleration: With Saltskitter, the potential for resource acceleration emerges from its synergistic properties. In decks designed around creature-based strategies and flickering (exiling and returning) effects, Saltskitter can help trigger enter-the-battlefield abilities multiple times, leading to accelerated board development.
Instant Speed: While Saltskitter itself does not operate at instant speed, its ability to flicker in and out with other creatures’ arrival can interact favorably with cards that do. This allows you to maximize the utility of your instant-speed spells while Saltskitter indirectly benefits from those interactions, preserving its presence on the battlefield.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Saltskitter forces a return to your hand whenever another creature enters the battlefield. While this may seem like a form of evasion or protection, it can leave you repeatedly spending mana to recast it, effectively discarding the opportunity to develop your board with other tactics.
Specific Mana Cost: Saltskitter’s mana cost includes white mana, which can restrict its integration into multi-color decks, particularly those lacking a strong white mana base. This limits the card’s versatility and makes it less appealing in decks that favor a different color strategy.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a cost of four mana (3 generic and 1 white), Saltskitter may be considered expensive for its offered abilities. In some scenarios, players might find other creatures or spells that provide more impactful effects or greater board presence for the same, or even less, mana investment.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Saltskitter is a unique card that can adapt to various deck styles, particularly those that thrive on creatures entering and leaving the battlefield. Its flexible nature allows for it to be a surprise element in your games, offering continuous board presence without being a constant target for removal.
Combo Potential: This card shines in synergistic builds, seamlessly integrating with blink or flicker strategies. It excels when paired with cards like “Soul Warden” for life gain or “Impact Tremors” for continuous damage, creating opportunistic plays that can overwhelm an opponent.
Meta-Relevance: Within the ever-shifting MTG meta, Saltskitter maintains relevance as it dodges common removal while capitalizing on the ubiquitous creature-heavy decks. Keeping pace with dynamic game states, it offers a relentless and almost unmanageable threat for opponents over the course of a match.
How to beat
Saltskitter is one of those unique MTG cards that can be both a nuisance and an enigma to play against. With its ability to flicker in and out of play, it can evade various removal spells, making it a tricky card to handle. Unlike other creatures that stay on the battlefield, Saltskitter disappears whenever another creature comes into play, returning under its owner’s control at the end of turn.
However, there are strategies to effectively counter this elusive creature. For starters, board wipes that don’t target, such as Wrath of God, can clear the field without giving Saltskitter a chance to hop out of harm’s way. Additionally, cards that prevent creature abilities from activating, like Torpor Orb, can neutralize Saltskitter’s hasty departure. Moreover, leveraging instant speed removal when Saltskitter re-enters during the end step can catch your opponent off-guard, permanently dealing with the threat.
Lastly, employing strategies that limit creature plays can also stymie Saltskitter’s effectiveness. Cards such as Rule of Law allows only one creature spell to be cast each turn, dampening the hopping antics of Saltskitter which thrives in a creature-heavy scenario. Understanding and anticipating your opponent’s tactics, and having the right answers, can ensure that Saltskitter’s impact on the game is minimal, if not entirely negated.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Saltskitter MTG card by a specific set like Future Sight, 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 Saltskitter 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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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Saltskitter has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Saltskitter card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2007-05-01 | If a creature enters the battlefield after “at the beginning of the end step” abilities have triggered during that turn, Saltskitter won’t return to the battlefield until the end of the following turn. |