Scrapskin Drake MTG Card
2012-05-04 - Number 73
2015-07-17 - Number 69
2016-02-26 - Number 47
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Zombie Drake |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
Flying Scrapskin Drake can block only creatures with flying.
"The cathars killed my skaabs down below. Let's see how high their swords can reach." —Ludevic, necro-alchemist
Cards like Scrapskin Drake
Scrapskin Drake enters the realm of Magic: The Gathering as an intriguing flying creature card. Situated in a niche occupied by other low-cost fliers, it shares airspace with the likes of Welkin Tern, which also requires only two mana and sports flying. Nonetheless, Scrapskin Drake demands a trifecta of mana types with a specific requirement for blue, in contrast to the more flexible Welkin Tern.
Another aerial peer, Stormrider Spirit, mirrors the flying ability but carves out its distinction through flash, allowing a surprise defensive play unlike Scrapskin Drake’s straightforward casting. Ringing in at five mana, Stormrider Spirit’s higher cost and flash capability present trade-offs when compared in versatility and timing. Additionally, the trusted Phantom Monster boasts a sturdier frame for an increased mana investment, offering more presence in the sky and a reliable blocker in contrast to Scrapskin Drake’s focus on early-game aggression.
Scrutinizing the nuances of these airborne allies helps players understand the value of Scrapskin Drake. It lands a spot in the ecosystem of MTG due to its relatively efficient cost-to-impact ratio, especially for blue-centric or tempo decks aiming for an early board presence.
Cards similar to Scrapskin Drake by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Scrapskin Drake is a creature that provides potential card advantage in decks that benefit from having flying creatures or those that utilize graveyard mechanics. Its presence in the battlefield can also deter opponents from attacking with smaller flying creatures, indirectly preserving your hand and board presence.
Resource Acceleration: While Scrapskin Drake itself does not directly provide resource acceleration, its low mana cost allows players to keep mana open for other spells and actions. This can contribute to a more efficient use of resources throughout the game, especially in decks focusing on tempo.
Instant Speed: While Scrapskin Drake is a creature spell and not cast at instant speed, its flying ability offers synergies within decks that operate largely at instant speed. This includes flash creatures and spells, allowing you to maintain a threat in the air while being reactive with your mana during your opponent’s turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: To cast Scrapskin Drake, one unwieldy stipulation needs to be considered – the actual abandoning of a card. In the throes of the game, this can leave you parched for pivotal plays, costing you more than just mana.
Specific Mana Cost: The Drake’s summoning ritual is rather rigid, demanding both generic and blue mana. This locks it into decks swimming in islands, potentially rendering it dormant in your hand during a color-blocked crisis.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: For three mana, this creature’s aerial prowess lands on the battlefield. Yet when treasure troves of similar-cost cards exist boasting meatier abilities or stats, one must ponder the trade-off of investing in the Drake’s straightforward flight.
Reasons to Include Scrapskin Drake in Your Collection
Versatility: Scrapskin Drake’s ability to only be blocked by creatures with flying or reach makes it a robust option for decks that aim to consistently chip away at the opponent’s life total. As such, its versatility can be quite valuable in decks that capitalize on aerial superiority.
Combo Potential: As a creature with flying, Scrapskin Drake works well with synergies that involve flying creatures or that trigger upon casting a creature spell. It can enhance strategies revolving around cards that buff flying creatures or that require a certain number of creatures with the flying trait to activate their effects.
Meta-Relevance: Depending on the meta, the evasion provided by flying can make Scrapskin Drake relevant, especially if the ground is heavily contested or dominated by decks vulnerable to flyers. Its presence can force opponents to adjust their board strategy, or at least maintain answers to airborne threats.
How to beat
Scrapskin Drake is a blue creature card that soars above many others with its flying ability, making it a resilient threat against non-flying creatures in Magic: The Gathering. One effective way to ground this winged adversary is through spells that can target and remove flying creatures or those that negate the ability temporarily, such as enchantments that force the creature to lose flying or board wipes that indiscriminately clear the skies.
Additionally, countering the spell before it hits the battlefield is another strong strategy. Since blue decks often rely on control and evasion, introducing cards in your deck that can counter other spells or flash in surprise blockers can tilt the field to your advantage. And let’s not forget, simply playing creatures with reach can block flying creatures as well, offering a straightforward solution to this airborne creature.
Ultimately, while Scrapskin Drake can be a pesky card to deal with, a deck well-prepared for aerial threats or equipped with clever spells can ensure that this creature’s impact is minimized, maintaining your foothold in the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Scrapskin Drake MTG card by a specific set like Avacyn Restored and Magic Origins, 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 Scrapskin Drake 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 Scrapskin Drake Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2012-05-04 and 2016-02-26. Illustrated by Kev Walker.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2012-05-04 | Avacyn Restored | AVR | 73 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Kev Walker | |
| 2 | 2015-07-17 | Magic Origins | ORI | 69 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Kev Walker | |
| 3 | 2016-02-26 | Duel Decks: Blessed vs. Cursed | DDQ | 47 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Kev Walker |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Scrapskin Drake has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |