Screeching Skaab MTG Card
2012-02-03 - Number 47
2015-07-17 - Number 70
2016-02-26 - Number 48
2016-06-10 - Number 69
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Zombie |
| Abilities | Mill |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
When Screeching Skaab enters the battlefield, put the top two cards of your library into your graveyard.
Its screeching is the sound of you losing your mind.
Cards like Screeching Skaab
Screeching Skaab emerges as a noteworthy player in the realm of graveyard filling creatures within the game. It’s akin to cards like Armored Skaab, which similarly mills cards from a player’s library into their graveyard. Both creatures not only set up potential graveyard strategies but Armored Skaab offers a hint of durability with its slightly higher toughness. Meanwhile, Screeching Skaab stands out with its more aggressive stat line, allowing for slightly more impactful early game presence.
Another relative in this comparison is Deranged Assistant. This creature shares the trait of milling your own cards, but it also delivers an additional benefit of ramping up your mana. The distinction between them lies in their secondary effects, one amps up the graveyard, while the other accelerates your mana base. Stitcher’s Apprentice might also be compared, though it trades direct milling for the creation of tokens when utilized alongside other creatures.
In sum, while there are several creatures in Magic that interact with the graveyard, Screeching Skaab strikes a balance between an aggressive early creature and enabler for various graveyard-based strategies, making it a versatile choice for players looking to bolster their decks with some early mill capabilities.
Cards similar to Screeching Skaab by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: By placing Screeching Skaab onto the battlefield, you effectively sift through your deck. This self-mill strategy can fill your graveyard quickly, fueling abilities that benefit from having a stocked graveyard, or setting up for powerful reanimation spells.
Resource Acceleration: Screeching Skaab is not typically seen as a direct source of resource acceleration. However, it indirectly accelerates your resources by populating the graveyard, making it easier to leverage cards with delve, flashback, or other graveyard synergies that reduce the cost of casting spells or allow you to play them from the graveyard.
Instant Speed: While Screeching Skaab itself isn’t cast at instant speed, it is a creature that synergizes well with decks that operate largely at instant speed. It can be used effectively after you’ve held mana open for counterspells or removal spells, making sure you develop your board even if you don’t need to react on your opponent’s turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Screeching Skaab’s entrance to the battlefield forces you to put the two top cards from your library into your graveyard. While this fuels graveyard strategies, it can be a negative effect if you’re discarding high-value cards or in need of library resources.
Specific Mana Cost: Screeching Skaab demands a precise mana combination to cast, one blue and one generic mana. This makes it less flexible and sometimes challenging to summon on curve, especially in multicolored or mana-intensive decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Though its mana cost is not exceptionally high, there are creatures of similar or lower cost that may offer better board presence or valuable abilities. Screeching Skaab competes with other two-drops and doesn’t always emerge as the optimal play depending on the deck’s strategy.
Reasons to Include Screeching Skaab in Your Collection
Versatility: Screeching Skaab is a versatile addition to any blue-centered deck, particularly those that play with the graveyard. Its ability to self-mill can fuel a variety of strategies, such as reanimator decks or those that take advantage of spells with the flashback or escape mechanics.
Combo Potential: This card isn’t just a utility player; it’s a combo enabler. The creatures it dumps into your graveyard can be the key components for powerful synergies or devastating combos, assisting in assembling the pieces you need when you need them.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta that favors graveyard strategies or decks that require a critical mass of creatures in the bin, Screeching Skaab shines as a low-cost creature that sets your game plan in motion while providing an early blocker on the field.
How to beat
Screeching Skaab is a notable creature in the realm of graveyard strategies within Magic the Gathering. Its main appeal lies in its ability to self-mill, sending cards directly from your library to your graveyard. This can be an advantageous play for decks focused on delving into graveyard interactions. However, as with all cards, Screeching Skaab has its weaknesses.
To effectively counter this card, graveyard hate cards come into play. By using cards that exile cards from the graveyard such as Relic of Progenitus or Rest in Peace, you remove the fuel that makes Screeching Skaab valuable in the first place. Additionally, due to its low toughness, direct removal spells or damage-dealing cards can easily dispatch this creature without much cost. On top of that, playing proactive creature management through board control spells can ensure that the pesky skaab never becomes a thorn in your side.
It is also crucial to be mindful of your opponent’s graveyard throughout the game, making Screeching Skaab less impactful when the graveyard is kept in check. So play smart, keep their graveyard at bay, and Screeching Skaab won’t stand a chance against your strategy.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Screeching Skaab MTG card by a specific set like Dark Ascension 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 Screeching Skaab and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
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- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
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Printings
The Screeching Skaab Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2012-02-03 and 2016-06-10. Illustrated by Clint Cearley.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2012-02-03 | Dark Ascension | DKA | 47 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Clint Cearley | |
| 2 | 2015-07-17 | Magic Origins | ORI | 70 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Clint Cearley | |
| 3 | 2016-02-26 | Duel Decks: Blessed vs. Cursed | DDQ | 48 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Clint Cearley | |
| 4 | 2016-06-10 | Eternal Masters | EMA | 69 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Clint Cearley |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Screeching Skaab has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |