Sky-Eel School MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	5
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Fish
Abilities	Flying
Released	2010-10-01
Set symbol
Set name	Scars of Mirrodin
Set code	SOM
Power	3
Toughness	3
Number	44
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Daniel Ljunggren

Key Takeaways

Sky-Eel School excels in card advantage, letting players delve for strategic plays.
Allows resource acceleration, enabling higher-cost cards earlier in gameplay.
Instant speed interaction of Sky-Eel provides a tactical edge in matches.

Text of card

Flying When Sky-Eel School enters the battlefield, draw a card, then discard a card.

They swim on tides few can see, away from a threat few yet understand.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Sky-Eel School card is a powerhouse when it comes to providing card advantage in a game. Its ability to let players delve into their deck can swiftly change the tide by offering fresh options to play.

Resource Acceleration: Sky-Eel School shines in scenarios where resource acceleration is key. It grants players the chance to streamline their mana curve, making higher cost cards more accessible earlier in the match.

Instant Speed: The true strength of Sky-Eel School lies in its instant speed interaction. This feature allows players to adapt to the battlefield on the fly, making strategic moves in response to opponents’ actions without missing a beat.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Sky-Eel School demands that players discard a card to activate its ability. This can potentially hinder your game plan, especially when your hand is already dwindling, and each card holds significant strategic value.

Specific Mana Cost: With blue mana in its casting cost, Sky-Eel School syncs primarily with blue-focused decks. This could restrict its integration into multicolored decks that may not have a consistent enough mana base to cast it reliably when needed.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: At a cost that may be considered steep by some players for the benefits it provides, Sky-Eel School competes with other options that may furnish direct card advantage or immediate board presence for a similar investment of resources.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Sky-Eel School provides a dynamic addition to your deck with its capability to adapt to various game situations. Its potential to grant flying to a creature means it can seamlessly blend into aggressive aerial strategies or defensive setups seeking to block evasive threats.

Combo Potential: By offering a loot effect—drawing a card then discarding a card—Sky-Eel School can be a key piece in enabling combos by helping to cycle through your deck to find essential pieces while also filling your graveyard for potential recursion plays or synergistic interactions.

Meta-Relevance: As the MTG meta often fluctuates, having a card like Sky-Eel School ensures that you have a tool that remains valuable against a variety of decks. Its ability to disrupt opponent plans by selectively giving or taking away flying can play a crucial role in gaining an advantage in creature matchups.

How to beat

Sky-Eel School is an intriguing creature card that has made waves among MTG players. Its power lies in its ability to filter through a player’s deck while providing a flying threat in the battlefield. However, despite its strengths, there are strategies to effectively counter this card in the game.

Cards that can nullify or bypass Sky-Eel School’s flying ability are particularly useful. Having creatures with reach or spells that can ground flying creatures can level the playing field. Alternative strategies include using removal spells to directly target and destroy or exile Sky-Eel School. Keep in mind to carefully time these spells as reaction to the card’s cast or ability to maximize their effect and minimize the opponent’s gains.

Another tactic is to pressure the opponent with aggressive gameplay, reducing the window for them to capitalize on Sky-Eel School’s benefits. Prioritizing the control of the board and maintaining a hand with answers to potential threats can shift the odds in your favor. In essence, understanding the dynamics of your deck and anticipating key moments to disrupt your opponent’s strategy are crucial to overcoming the advantages posed by Sky-Eel School.

Cards like Sky-Eel School

Sky-Eel School is a unique creature card that brings interesting strategies to the world of MTG. If we explore the realm of flying creatures that also boost card advantage, Wind Drake stands out as arguably the most basic comparison, offering a flying creature for a similar mana cost, but without the additional functionality of card drawing.

On the other hand, there’s Cloudkin Seer, which shares the card draw ability upon entering the battlefield. The difference lies in its mana value and the card draw condition. While Sky-Eel School requires a condition to be met to draw, Cloudkin Seer draws a card immediately. Another card that comes to mind is Mulldrifter, prized for its versatility allowing a player to either draw cards or play a flying body on the field depending on whether you evoke it or cast it normally.

Comparatively, Sky-Eel School offers a more situational benefit than the consistent value of Mulldrifter, but can prove advantageous in decks tailored to its specific trigger requirement. Identifying the best card for your deck depends on the synergy with your overall strategy, keeping the mana curve and desired pace of gameplay in mind.

Cards similar to Sky-Eel School by color, type and mana cost

Vesuvan Doppelganger - MTG Card versions

Sun Ce, Young Conquerer - MTG Card versions

Timin, Youthful Geist - MTG Card versions

Meloku the Clouded Mirror - MTG Card versions

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Richard Garfield, Ph.D. - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Sky-Eel School MTG card by a specific set like Scars of Mirrodin, 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 Sky-Eel School and other MTG cards: