Skullsnatcher MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 13 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Rat Ninja
Abilities Ninjutsu
Power 2
Toughness 1

Key Takeaways

  1. Skullsnatcher grants graveyard control, providing an edge against decks reliant on graveyard synergy.
  2. It demands specific mana and a graveyard-reliant opponent, which can limit its effectiveness.
  3. Skullsnatcher’s ninjutsu offers sneaky combat tactics and a versatile presence in certain MTG decks.

Text of card

Ninjutsu (, Return an unblocked attacker you control to hand: Put this card into play from your hand tapped and attacking.) Whenever Skullsnatcher deals combat damage to a player, remove up to two target cards in that player's graveyard from the game.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Skullsnatcher’s ability to exile cards from an opponent’s graveyard when it deals combat damage can disrupt their strategies, providing you a subtle edge in the game. This graveyard control can be a form of card advantage, especially against decks that rely on graveyard interaction.

Resource Acceleration: While Skullsnatcher itself doesn’t directly generate mana or ramp, controlling your opponent’s graveyard can indirectly accelerate your resources. By removing potential targets for reanimation or flashback, you’re effectively diminishing the resources available to your opponent, keeping you a step ahead.

Instant Speed: Although Skullsnatcher does not operate at instant speed, its Ninjutsu ability allows for a sneaky mid-combat swap. This can be employed similarly to an instant, disrupting your opponent’s calculations and potentially saving a more valuable creature from being blocked or destroyed.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: A key downside to Skullsnatcher is its necessity for a card to be discarded from an opponent’s graveyard to leverage its ability. This condition restricts its effectiveness, especially against decks that do not utilize the graveyard prominently or when graveyards are empty.

Specific Mana Cost: Skullsnatcher demands a precise mana alignment of one black and one generic mana, which can be a challenge in multi-colored decks. Its reliance on a specific mana color makes it less flexible for players running a diverse mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While its mana cost is not exorbitant, there are instances where Skullsnatcher may not provide the best value. Given that its power and toughness are modest, some players might find other creatures or spells that offer a more impactful presence on the battlefield or provide utility for the same cost.


Reasons to Include Skullsnatcher in Your Collection

Versatility: Skullsnatcher can be an asset to decks that aim to make use of the graveyard, allowing players to manage opponents’ graveyard resources while also providing a quick creature on the board.

Combo Potential: This card holds potential in various combo stacks, especially when coupled with abilities that require creature sacrifice or benefit from opponents losing graveyard options.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where graveyard manipulation is key, Skullsnatcher’s ability to remove cards from the game can be critically advantageous, keeping your opponents’ strategic options limited.


How to beat

Skullsnatcher presents an interesting challenge on the battlegrounds of Magic: The Gathering. This nimble creature is notable for its ability to remove cards from an opponent’s graveyard whenever it deals combat damage to a player. Thus, it plays a key role in disrupting strategies that rely on graveyard mechanics. To counter Skullsnatcher effectively, players need to implement tactics that prevent it from connecting with a player, such as utilizing creatures with reach or flying to block it, or employing instant-speed removal spells to dispatch it before it can fulfill its role.

Deterrents like Ghostly Prison can also hinder Skullsnatcher by making it costly for the opponent to attack. Additionally, cards that grant hexproof to a player, like Witchbane Orb, can be instrumental in nullifying Skullsnatcher’s ability by making it impossible for it to target the protected player. By anticipating this pesky creature’s potential and having a plan in place, players can maintain control over their graveyard and reduce the impact of Skullsnatcher’s ability on the overall game strategy.

In essence, understanding the importance of a well-prepared defense against graveyard manipulation helps players not only to mitigate the threats posed by Skullsnatcher but also to fortify their position in the intricate world of Magic: The Gathering.


BurnMana Recommendations

Dealing with the subtle intricacies of Magic the Gathering can be as challenging as it is rewarding. Skullsnatcher’s ability to manipulate the graveyard offers a distinct tactical advantage, making it a fascinating card to wield. If you’re intrigued by the disruption potential it brings to the table or are looking to refine graveyard-centered strategies, consider incorporating Skullsnatcher into your deck. Whether you seek to elevate your gameplay or disrupt your opponent’s plans, understanding the strengths and limitations of such cards is crucial. Journey with us to dive deeper into strategic deck building and optimizing your MTG experience.


Cards like Skullsnatcher

Skullsnatcher offers a distinct approach to creature cards in MTG with its ninjutsu ability. Its nearest counterpart is Nezumi Graverobber, which also interacts with graveyards but through different means. Skullsnatcher excels in its capacity to exile two cards from an opponent’s graveyard whenever it deals combat damage, effectively diminishing their resources and strategies that hinge on graveyard retrieval efforts.

Contrasting Skullsnatcher with Wight of Precinct Six, we notice that Wight grows stronger as more creature cards pile up in your opponents’ graveyards, a different strategy where you benefit from a full graveyard rather than an empty one. Another close relation in this facet is Scavenging Ooze, which similarly exiles cards from graveyards but also has the upside of gaining you life and becoming stronger for each card exiled.

In essence, Skullsnatcher’s niche lies in providing a proactive approach to controlling opponents’ graveyards while being an efficient, sneaky damage dealer. This specialization makes it a tactical option particularly favorable in decks where denying graveyard strategies is as crucial as dealing damage itself.

Wight of Precinct Six - MTG Card versions
Scavenging Ooze - MTG Card versions
Wight of Precinct Six - Gatecrash (GTC)
Scavenging Ooze - Commander 2011 (CMD)

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Nezumi Cutthroat - MTG Card versions
Nezumi Graverobber // Nighteyes the Desecrator - MTG Card versions
Stromgald Crusader - MTG Card versions
Drudge Skeletons - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Erg Raiders - Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border (4BB)
Cuombajj Witches - Chronicles (CHR)
Order of the Ebon Hand - Pro Tour Collector Set (PTC)
Bog Imp - Rivals Quick Start Set (RQS)
Wall of Corpses - Mirage (MIR)
Blighted Shaman - Mirage (MIR)
Rabid Rats - Stronghold (STH)
Dakmor Bat - Portal Second Age (P02)
Ravenous Rats - Invasion (INV)
Flesh Reaver - Urza's Saga (USG)
Bloodcurdler - Odyssey (ODY)
Nantuko Shade - Commander 2014 (C14)
Piper of the Swarm - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Undead Augur - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Shepherd of Rot - Onslaught (ONS)
Swarm of Rats - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Nezumi Cutthroat - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
Nezumi Graverobber // Nighteyes the Desecrator - Commander Anthology Volume II (CM2)
Stromgald Crusader - Coldsnap (CSP)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Skullsnatcher MTG card by a specific set like Betrayers of Kamigawa and Salvat 2005, 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 Skullsnatcher and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Skullsnatcher Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 2005-02-04 and 2021-08-26. Illustrated by Matt Cavotta.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12005-02-04Betrayers of KamigawaBOK 842003normalblackMatt Cavotta
22005-08-22Salvat 2005PSAL A42003normalwhiteMatt Cavotta
32005-08-22Salvat 2005PSAL A422003normalwhiteMatt Cavotta
42005-08-22Salvat 2005PSAL E182003normalwhiteMatt Cavotta
52005-08-22Salvat 2005PSAL A432003normalwhiteMatt Cavotta
62005-08-22Salvat 2005PSAL E172003normalwhiteMatt Cavotta
72005-08-22Salvat 2005PSAL E192003normalwhiteMatt Cavotta
82006-01-01Hachette UKPHUK 422003normalwhiteMatt Cavotta
92006-01-01Hachette UKPHUK 42003normalwhiteMatt Cavotta
102006-01-01Hachette UKPHUK 432003normalwhiteMatt Cavotta
112012-06-01Planechase 2012PC2 362003normalblackMatt Cavotta
122016-11-25Planechase AnthologyPCA 362015normalblackMatt Cavotta
132021-08-26Jumpstart: Historic HorizonsJ21 3842015normalblackMatt Cavotta

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Skullsnatcher has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2005-02-01 Skullsnatcher’s ability can target zero, one, or two cards in that player’s graveyard.

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