Skeleton MTG Card
2008-10-03 - Number 4
2018-03-16 - Number 8
2021-07-23 - Number 6
2022-06-10 - Number 8
2022-11-28 - Number 7
2024-02-09 - Number 5
| Card sets | Released in 6 setsSee all |
| Type | Token Creature — Skeleton |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
: Regenerate this creature.
Cards like Skeleton
The intriguing aspect of Skeleton-themed cards in Magic: The Gathering is their recurring nature, often coming back from the graveyard to the battlefield. One skeletal comparison is with Reassembling Skeleton, which can be returned to the battlefield at any time for a minor mana investment, a staple ability for these types of cards. However, different from some newer iterations, it doesn’t provide additional value on entry or exit from the battlefield.
In contrast, Sanitarium Skeleton brings a new dimension to the gameplay, offering the ability to return to a player’s hand rather than the battlefield. This nuance provides a reliable way to ensure hand advantage, though it doesn’t apply immediate board pressure. Gutterbones is another comparable card that embodies the resilience of Skeleton creatures but with an aggressive edge, as it can only return to your hand if an opponent lost life this turn and comes back ready to attack.
When considering the synergy and versatility of Skeleton cards, each offers unique strategies to outmaneuver opponents. While they share the thematic connection of rising from the dead, the strategic nuances they provide can shape the flow of a match and diversify the options available to players who have a penchant for the undead.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: A Skeleton MTG card often comes with abilities that let you bring it back from the graveyard. This recursive ability ensures that you get repeated value out of a single card, effectively allowing you to maintain card presence on the board without depleting your hand.
Resource Acceleration: Certain Skeleton cards can tap for mana or offer cost reduction for other spells. This can significantly speed up your ability to cast high-impact spells earlier in the game, giving you a serious edge over opponents who are still building up their resources.
Instant Speed: Some Skeleton cards can be cast from the graveyard or have activated abilities at instant speed. This flexibility lets you make decisions with more information, react to your opponent’s moves, and keeps them guessing about what you’re capable of doing during their turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Skeleton cards often require you to discard a card from your hand to initiate their abilities. This can prove to be a setback when your hand size is already limited, forcing you to make tough decisions about resource allocation and potentially depleting your options too quickly.
Specific Mana Cost: Many skeleton cards demand a particular blend of mana to cast, typically needing black mana. This restriction can make it challenging to include them in a multi-color deck, which could hamper your deck’s flexibility and overall strategy.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: On average, the cost to summon or utilize the full potential of skeleton cards is relatively steep when compared to other creature cards of similar strength and abilities. This higher mana investment can slow down your gameplay and diminish tempo, especially in the early stages of a match where each mana point is crucial.
Reasons to Include Skeleton Cards in Your Collection
Versatility: Skeleton cards often provide a flexible role in multiple deck archetypes. Their recurring nature from the graveyard makes them resilient against removal and excellent for defense.
Combo Potential: Many Skeleton cards have synergies with sacrifice mechanics or death-triggered abilities. They can be essential pieces in decks focused on leveraging such interactions for powerful effects.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where attrition wars are common, the enduring aspect of Skeleton cards can outvalue your opponent. This persistent board presence can become a key factor in grinding out wins.
How to beat
Confronting a Skeleton MTG card on the battlefield can be a tricky affair given their often low cost and recurring abilities. These cards are known for their resilience and capacity to return from the graveyard, providing a persistent presence. However, one effective strategy to counter Skeleton cards like Reassembling Skeleton or Sanitarium Skeleton is through exile effects. Rather than simply sending these creatures to the graveyard where they can be easily revived, cards that exile remove the possibility of recursion, thereby neutralizing the threat.
Board sweepers are another potent solution. Spells that clear the entire board, such as Wrath of God or Damnation, handle numerous creatures at once, including troublesome Skeletons. While the initial cast might seem costly, the removal of multiple threats in one move can lead to a significant advantage. Additionally, holding back on removal until it can affect multiple targets is another tactical approach, requiring patience and timing but potentially leading to a pivotal swing in the game state.
Ultimately, while Skeleton cards may present an undying challenge, there are strategies in Magic: The Gathering that can effectively manage and overcome their pesky recursive nature. Utilizing exile and board control can significantly hinder a Skeleton-focused opponent’s game plan.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Skeleton MTG card by a specific set like Shards of Alara and Masters 25, 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 Skeleton 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Skeleton Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 2008-10-03 and 2024-02-09. Illustrated by 5 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2008-10-03 | Shards of Alara | ALA | 4 | 2003 | Token | Black | Thomas M. Baxa | |
| 2 | 2018-03-16 | Masters 25 | A25 | 8 | 2015 | Token | Black | Thomas M. Baxa | |
| 3 | 2021-07-23 | Adventures in the Forgotten Realms | AFR | 6 | 2015 | Token | Black | Svetlin Velinov | |
| 4 | 2022-06-10 | Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's Gate | CLB | 8 | 2015 | Token | Black | David Astruga | |
| 5 | 2022-11-28 | 30th Anniversary Edition | 30A | 7 | 2015 | Token | Black | Jeff A. Menges | |
| 6 | 2024-02-09 | Murders at Karlov Manor | MKM | 5 | 2015 | Token | Black | Camille Alquier |