Scuttling Death MTG Card
2004-10-01 - Number 142
2015-05-22 - Number 94
2019-11-07 - Number 764
2020-09-26 - Number MM2-94
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Spirit |
| Abilities | Soulshift |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
Sacrifice Scuttling Death: Target creature gets -1/-1 until end of turn. Soulshift 4 (When this is put into a graveyard from play, you may return target Spirit card with converted mana cost 4 or less from your graveyard to your hand.)
Cards like Scuttling Death
Scuttling Death, with its unique blend of attributes, finds its niche within the vast array of creatures in Magic: The Gathering. Its resemblance to Shambling Shell is first to note, as both cards offer a sacrifice mechanic that bolsters other creatures upon their demise. However, Scuttling Death provides the additional utility of being able to force an opponent to discard a card when it’s sacrificed, unlike the purely stat-boosting effect of Shambling Shell.
Comparable in functionality is Cadaver Imp; a creature that allows the retrieval of another creature from the graveyard to your hand when it enters the battlefield. While not providing a direct discard effect or pump to other creatures, Cadaver Imp offers a different kind of staying power within a game. Then there’s Aphotic Wisps, a card that not only grants a creature fear but also replaces itself in your hand by drawing a card, echoing Scuttling Death’s ability to impact both the battlefield and the flow of a player’s hand.
These comparisons highlight Scuttling Death’s flexibility in strategic deck building. It is this dual influence over the field of play and an opponent’s hand that positions Scuttling Death as a useful component in Magic: The Gathering, particularly in decks designed around sacrifice and disruption strategies.
Cards similar to Scuttling Death by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Scuttling Death provides a significant benefit by allowing you to sacrifice it to force an opponent to discard a card. This can disrupt your opponent’s strategy while enhancing your own hand management by removing their options.
Resource Acceleration: Although Scuttling Death does not directly produce additional mana, its sacrifice mechanic can be synergized with other cards that thrive on creatures dying to provide you with an indirect form of acceleration or value generation within the game.
Instant Speed: This creature’s ability to be sacrificed at instant speed makes it flexible during gameplay, allowing you to wait for the most opportune moment to make your opponent discard, whether that’s during their draw step or after they’ve drawn their card for the turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Scuttling Death necessitates parting with a card in your hand when activating its ability, which could set you back if your hand size is already dwindling.
Specific Mana Cost: Its black mana demand means it fits mostly into mono-black or specific multicolored decks, potentially limiting its versatility across various deck archetypes.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that touches the upper tiers, especially for its power and toughness, Scuttling Death contends with other creatures and spells that may offer more impact on the game for the same, or less, mana investment.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Scuttling Death finds a home in decks that take advantage of its sacrifice ability. Not only does it serve as a solid blocker, but its synergy with graveyard-oriented strategies enhances various deck builds.
Combo Potential: This card can be a key component in combos. Its sacrifice trigger can disrupt opponents by forcing them to sacrifice creatures, while also paving the way for your own death-trigger abilities.
Meta-Relevance: In game environments where creature control is crucial, Scuttling Death offers an edge. Being able to dictate the pace of creature-based matchups gives it a niche role in certain metas.
How to beat
Scuttling Death presents a unique challenge in Magic: The Gathering matches with its ability to sacrifice itself for a sneaky advantage. As a creature card that can give -1/-1 to a target creature when it dies, it’s a strategic component in black decks, especially those leveraging the power of creature sacrifice. To outmaneuver Scuttling Death, focus on removal spells that exile instead of sending the creature to the graveyard, such as Path to Exile or Swords to Plowshares.
Counteracting Scuttling Death also involves minimizing its impact through graveyard disruption. Cards like Rest in Peace or Leyline of the Void are perfect for this, ensuring that Scuttling Death’s abilities cease to function effectively. Moreover, including instant-speed removal in your deck can help you deal with Scuttling Death before its controller has the opportunity to capitalize on its sacrificial effect. Timing is key, and patience can pay off by waiting to act until the opportune moment when your opponent is less prepared to utilize Scuttling Death’s ability.
Overall, combatting Scuttling Death requires a proactive game plan focusing on timely removal, anticipating graveyard interactions, and staying one step ahead in creature control. With these strategies, you can effectively neutralize Scuttling Death’s potential and maintain command of the battlefield.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Scuttling Death MTG card by a specific set like Champions of Kamigawa and Modern Masters 2015, 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 Scuttling Death and other MTG cards:
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- 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
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Printings
The Scuttling Death Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2004-10-01 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Thomas M. Baxa.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2004-10-01 | Champions of Kamigawa | CHK | 142 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Thomas M. Baxa | |
| 2 | 2015-05-22 | Modern Masters 2015 | MM2 | 94 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Thomas M. Baxa | |
| 3 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 764 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Thomas M. Baxa | |
| 4 | The List | PLST | MM2-94 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Thomas M. Baxa |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Scuttling Death has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |