Skaab Goliath MTG Card
2011-09-30 - Number 76
2015-07-17 - Number 74
2019-11-07 - Number 492
2020-11-20 - Number 97
2020-09-26 - Number ORI-74
| Card sets | Released in 5 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 6 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Zombie Giant |
| Abilities | Trample |
| Power | 6 |
| Toughness | 9 |
Text of card
As an additional cost to cast Skaab Goliath, exile two creature cards from your graveyard. Trample
"Three heads, six arms, and some armor grafts are better than . . . the normal numbers of those things." —Stitcher Geralf
Cards like Skaab Goliath
Skaab Goliath is a unique creature card in MTG that brings a lot to the graveyard manipulation gameplay. It reminds us of other reanimator-style creatures like Stitched Drake, which also requires you to exile a creature card from your graveyard as part of the casting cost. Skaab Goliath, however, is more formidable on the battlefield with its larger body and trample ability.
There’s also Havengul Runebinder, which works incredibly well in decks that aim to exploit the graveyard. While the Runebinder does not have trample, it creates additional creature tokens and buffs creatures — a feature Skaab Goliath doesn’t have. Yet, the sheer size of Skaab Goliath makes it a force that can end games if left unchecked.
In the realm of hefty blue creatures that benefit from a stocked graveyard, we find Wight of Precinct Six. While it lacks the raw power of Skaab Goliath’s immediate board presence, its power and toughness can grow as more creatures find their way to graveyards, potentially surpassing Skaab Goliath in the long game.
Despite these comparisons, Skaab Goliath’s trample and the potential to be a game-ender give it a special niche within its archetype in MTG.
Cards similar to Skaab Goliath by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: An often overlooked aspect of Skaab Goliath is the potential for card advantage through graveyard utility. Although it doesn’t directly allow you to draw cards, it effectively recycles creatures from your graveyard, turning past losses into a formidable present threat.
Resource Acceleration: While the card itself doesn’t produce additional mana, it does work well in an environment that facilitates resource acceleration. By requiring creature cards in your graveyard as part of its casting cost, it can be a powerful addition to a deck that’s equipped with methods to rapidly fill the graveyard, thus indirectly complementing resource acceleration strategies.
Instant Speed: Skaab Goliath is not an instant, but it fits into a deck archetype that appreciates instant speed interactions. Given that filling your graveyard can be done at instant speed thanks to various spells and abilities, Skaab Goliath can be cast quickly once the conditions are right, following your instant speed graveyard filling actions during an opponent’s turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Skaab Goliath comes with the prerequisite of exiling two creature cards from your graveyard, which can be a steep price to pay. Particularly in the early to mid-game, your graveyard might not be sufficiently stocked to fulfill this condition, leaving Skaab Goliath stranded in your hand.
Specific Mana Cost: One of the obstacles when including Skaab Goliath in your deck is its specific mana needs, demanding both blue mana and a significant amount of generic mana. This composition can be challenging to muster, especially in multicolored decks that spread their resources across several different types of mana.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of six mana, Skaab Goliath is a sizable investment. In faster-paced games or in environments where efficiency is key, this high cost can impede your momentum. Additionally, there are alternative creatures in the same mana range that could either hit the board sooner or offer more impactful abilities upon entering the battlefield.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Skaab Goliath has the ability to make an immediate impact on the board. Suitable for blue-themed decks, it meshes well with strategies aimed at graveyard utilization and creature reanimation.
Combo Potential: Its potential for combos is significant, particularly in setups that involve self-mill or creature sacrifice. This type of mechanic strengthens its synergy with other cards that thrive on high creature turnover.
Meta-Relevance: Given the rise of graveyard-themed decks, Skaab Goliath fits nicely into the current landscape, capable of countering creatures from opposing graveyard strategies while also providing a hefty body for battlefield dominance.
How to beat
Skaab Goliath is a powerhouse in Magic: The Gathering, boasting immense strength that can turn the tides of a match. At first glance, this hefty creature’s requirement of exiling two creature cards from your graveyard seems like a steep price. But once on the battlefield, it presents a formidable challenge for your opponents.
Countering this Leviathan can be done effectively with removal spells. Cards like Path to Exile bypass its bulk by exiling it directly, circumventing the typical damage-based methods that might not always cut it against such a giant. Moreover, combat tricks that offer temporary boosts to your creatures or direct damage such as Shock or Lightning Bolt can supplement your efforts to take down Skaab Goliath before it overwhelms you.
It’s also worth considering the prevention of its arrival altogether. Graveyard hate cards such as Relic of Progenitus can stifle Skaab Goliath’s summoning by clearing out potential fuel from the graveyard, keeping this Goliath a mere card and not an active threat on the board. Understanding the key strategies to prevent or respond to this creature’s entry can be just as pivotal as dealing with it upon its arrival.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Skaab Goliath MTG card by a specific set like Innistrad 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 Skaab Goliath 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 Skaab Goliath Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2011-09-30 and 2020-11-20. Illustrated by Volkan Baǵa.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2011-09-30 | Innistrad | ISD | 76 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Volkan Baǵa | |
| 2 | 2015-07-17 | Magic Origins | ORI | 74 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Volkan Baǵa | |
| 3 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 492 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Volkan Baǵa | |
| 4 | The List | PLST | ORI-74 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Volkan Baǵa | ||
| 5 | 2020-11-20 | Commander Legends | CMR | 97 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Volkan Baǵa |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Skaab Goliath has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |