Saprazzan Skerry MTG Card
1999-10-04 - Number 328
2000-08-02 - Number jf328
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Land |
Text of card
Saprazzan Skerry comes into play tapped with two depletion counters on it. oc T, Remove a depletion counter from Saprazzan Skerry: Add two blue mana to your mana pool. If there are no depletion counters on Saprazzan Skerry, sacrifice it.
Unlocking Mana Resources
Exploring the terrain of mana acceleration within Magic: The Gathering, Saprazzan Skerry holds its ground with its unique traits. This card voyages into the realm of lands that, despite entering the battlefield tapped, offer a substantial mana boost when it truly matters. Unlike typical basic lands that provide one mana per turn, Saprazzan Skerry can be sacrificed for a burst of two blue mana, positioning it as a strategic accelerant in many decks.
Cards like Saprazzan Skerry
Saprazzan Skerry shares its mana-gifting kinship with cards like Crystal Vein and Dwarven Ruins. While Crystal Vein can be tapped for one colorless mana or sacrificed for two, Dwarven Ruins offers the same trade-off but generates red mana instead. These lands present deck builders with a choice of immediacy over longevity, offering a one-time surge of mana at the cost of a land slot. Although Saprazzan Skerry and its counterparts are a boon for fast-paced strategies, their one-shot nature makes them less preferable for decks that thrive on sustained mana production over time.
In evaluating land cards that advance mana supplies, it’s evident that while Saprazzan Skerry fits seamlessly into decks that capitalize on quick, powerful spells, it may not be the land of choice for those favoring a steady mana curve. Its ability to skirmish ahead in the mana game, albeit temporarily, solidifies its role in specific MTG strategies.
Cards similar to Saprazzan Skerry by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Saprazzan Skerry. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | UBRG | Pauper | Pauper League 2024-05-06 | |
 | Creative Technique | Legacy | Creative Technique | Legacy League 2024-04-06 |
| U | Legacy | Legacy Challenge 32 2024-04-20 | |
 | Poison Storm | Pauper | Monthly Tournament #38 @ Paper Pauper Magic Discord | |
| UBG | Pauper | Pauper Challenge 64 2024-03-31 | |
| URG | Pauper | Pauper Challenge 32 2024-04-14 | |
 | HullDay Echo Stompy | Legacy | HullDay Echo Stompy | Legacy League 2024-04-16 |
| UBR | Legacy | Legacy Challenge 64 2024-04-07 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While the Saprazzan Skerry might not directly allow you to draw cards, it certainly sets you up for larger plays that can lead to card advantage. By effectively being a mana ahead, you’re in a better position to deploy threats and responses that can turn the tide of the game in your favor.
Resource Acceleration: Saprazzan Skerry shines with its ability to provide a burst of mana. Entering the battlefield with two depletion counters, removing one each time it’s tapped for mana gives you access to an additional blue mana early in the game. This resource acceleration can be pivotal for casting high-impact spells sooner than your opponent expects, giving you an edge during the critical early stages of a match.
Instant Speed: While Saprazzan Skerry itself doesn’t have an ability that operates at instant speed, its contribution by providing an extra blue mana can often mean the difference in being able to cast an instant speed spell when you most need it. Having that extra mana available can ensure you have the resources to react during your opponent’s turn, which is a fundamental aspect of maintaining control in a game.
Card Cons
Comes into Play Tapped: Saprazzan Skerry enters the battlefield tapped, which can slow down your game plan especially in the early turns where a burst of mana is crucial.
Specific Mana Cost: Produces only blue mana, making it less versatile and potentially difficult to include in multicolored decks that require a variety of mana sources.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Though it offers two blue mana, the land self-destructs after use, which effectively sets you back a land drop. This can be a significant disadvantage in the later stages of the game where land resources are vital.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Saprazzan Skerry fits into a variety of decks, particularly those in blue mana that prioritize ramping up their resources quickly. Its ability to provide two blue mana, albeit with limitations, makes it a valuable asset in certain deck styles.
Combo Potential: This land has synergy with cards that react to land sacrifice or benefits from land entering the graveyard. It can also aid in enabling plays earlier than usual, setting up for powerful combos in the early game.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where speed can outpace counter-play, having Saprazzan Skerry as part of your mana base could be crucial. It contributes to a strategy that seeks to outpace opponents, making it relevant in various competitive formats where tempo plays a significant role.
How to beat
Saprazzan Skerry may look unassuming, but in the right deck, this land from Magic the Gathering becomes a key tool for ramping up mana. Upon entering the battlefield, Saprazzan Skerry arrives tapped and with two depletion counters. While it can’t be used right away, it more than makes up for it by providing two blue mana once the counters are removed.
Countering the advantages granted by Saprazzan Skerry requires a few strategies. Applying pressure early on is essential, as the Skerry’s controller will be down a land for the first turn. Targeted land destruction or cards that cause players to sacrifice lands also prove effective against Saprazzan Skerry. Cards like Ghost Quarter can neutralize it before it becomes a larger threat, while preserving your own mana base. Similarly, focusing on a quick aggressive strategy can overwhelm a player relying on slower, high-impact lands like Saprazzan Skerry.
Understanding the tempo play that Saprazzan Skerry represents in Magic the Gathering is crucial. Recognizing the right moment to disrupt your opponent’s mana acceleration can tip the scales in your favor, especially if they’re dependent on the short-term boost it provides.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Saprazzan Skerry MTG card by a specific set like Mercadian Masques and World Championship Decks 2000, 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 Saprazzan Skerry and other MTG cards:
BUY NOW BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
- 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Saprazzan Skerry Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1999-10-04 and 2000-08-02. Illustrated by Pat Lewis.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1999-10-04 | Mercadian Masques | MMQ | 328 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Pat Lewis | |
| 2 | 2000-08-02 | World Championship Decks 2000 | WC00 | jf328 | 1997 | Normal | Gold | Pat Lewis |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Saprazzan Skerry has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |