Skarrgan Firebird MTG Card
2006-02-03 - Number 77
2013-09-06 - Number 57
2015-05-22 - Number 123
2017-06-16 - Number 57
2019-02-15 - Number 81
| Card sets | Released in 5 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 6 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Phoenix |
| Abilities | Bloodthirst,Flying |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
Bloodthirst 3 (If an opponent was dealt damage this turn, this creature comes into play with three +1/+1 counters on it.) Flying : Return Skarrgan Firebird from your graveyard to your hand. Play this ability only if an opponent was dealt damage this turn.
Cards like Skarrgan Firebird
Skarrgan Firebird breathes new life into the realm of recursive threats in Magic: The Gathering. It bears a resemblance to creatures such as Bloodsoaked Champion and Reassembling Skeleton. Each has the ability to rise from the graveyard back to the battlefield. However, Skarrgan Firebird flaunts a unique edge with its Bloodthirst 3 ability, empowering it significantly after an opponent has taken damage.
Another creature of note is the Phoenix of Ash. This fiery fowl also offers a return from the grave but with the added flexibility of escape, providing it with additional power and toughness. Despite this, the Firebird’s potential for a substantial one-hit power boost from Bloodthirst sets it apart. Chandra’s Phoenix too parallels the Firebird, with a caveat; its return is triggered by a spell targeting an opponent, compared to the Firebird’s less restrictive condition.
When evaluating these avian analogs, it becomes apparent that Skarrgan Firebird offers a strong blend of aggression and resilience, punctuated by its ability to swoop in powerfully in the right circumstances. It stands out as an assertive choice for players valuing tenacious creatures with the capability of repeated combat influence.
Cards similar to Skarrgan Firebird by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: An impressive aspect of Skarrgan Firebird is its recursion ability, which can return it from the graveyard to your hand. This provides ongoing card advantage as you’re essentially drawing an extra card every time you meet its bloodthirst condition, keeping your hand stocked with threats.
Resource Acceleration: Skarrgan Firebird isn’t directly a resource acceleration card in the typical sense of providing additional mana. However, it does indirectly speed up your resource impact by requiring your opponent to continuously deal with it. Each iteration demands an answer, essentially taxing your opponent’s resources while you maintain yours.
Instant Speed: While Skarrgan Firebird doesn’t operate at instant speed itself, it encourages a playstyle that maximizes the use of instant-speed spells. By baiting your opponent into damaging you before you unleash the Firebird at full strength, you cultivate a battlefield where instant-speed interactions are highly beneficial for triggering its bloodthirst.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Skarrgan Firebird demands discarding a card for its Bloodthirst ability to trigger, which could deplete your hand when you are trying to maintain card advantage.
Specific Mana Cost: With a red mana-intensive cost, this creature may not easily fit into multi-colored decks, potentially limiting its versatility across various strategies.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Having to allocate six mana to cast Skarrgan Firebird means that it competes with other impactful cards at a similar cost threshold, which might offer immediate board presence or game-altering effects.
Reasons to Include Skarrgan Firebird in Your Collection
Versatility: Skarrgan Firebird offers a robust option for decks looking for a recurrent threat. Its Bloodthirst ability ensures it comes into play as a formidable presence if an opponent was dealt damage this turn.
Combo Potential: Coupled with burn spells or aggressive creatures, Skarrgan Firebird can be a game-changer. Its ability to return to your hand from the graveyard gives it synergy with strategies that capitalize on creature recurrence.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where games often reach the later stages, Skarrgan Firebird shines as a repeatable threat that can apply consistent pressure, making it a valuable asset against control and attrition-based strategies.
How to beat
The Skarrgan Firebird is a resilient threat in Magic: The Gathering, known for its flying ability and the potential to return from the graveyard to the battlefield. A formidable creature card, its Bloodthirst 3 ability makes it even more potent if an opponent was dealt damage the same turn it enters the battlefield, giving it a total of six power.
Overcoming the Skarrgan Firebird’s tenacity requires strategic removals. Effective tactics include using exile-based removal spells which prevent the bird from being able to utilize its return ability. Cards like Path to Exile or Swords to Plowshares can permanently handle the Firebird without sending it to the graveyard. Additionally, countering the Firebird upon its initial cast can be crucial, so hold onto those Counterspells or Dovin’s Vetoes when playing against a deck harboring this phoenix-like creature.
In essence, having the right arsenal to preemptively deal with the Skarrgan Firebird or to remove it efficiently from the game is key. By prioritizing its removal from play, it won’t have a chance to reignite its flames and soar back into action, keeping your skies clear and your victory within closer reach.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Skarrgan Firebird MTG card by a specific set like Guildpact and Duel Decks: Heroes vs. Monsters, 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 Skarrgan Firebird and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
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- MTG Mint Card
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- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
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Printings
The Skarrgan Firebird Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2006-02-03 and 2019-02-15. Illustrated by Kev Walker.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2006-02-03 | Guildpact | GPT | 77 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Kev Walker | |
| 2 | 2013-09-06 | Duel Decks: Heroes vs. Monsters | DDL | 57 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Kev Walker | |
| 3 | 2015-05-22 | Modern Masters 2015 | MM2 | 123 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Kev Walker | |
| 4 | 2017-06-16 | Archenemy: Nicol Bolas | E01 | 57 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Kev Walker | |
| 5 | 2019-02-15 | RNA Guild Kit | GK2 | 81 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Kev Walker |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Skarrgan Firebird has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Skarrgan Firebird card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2006-02-01 | You can activate Skarrgan Firebird’s last ability if an opponent was dealt damage by any source, even if you didn’t control that source. |