Skirk Commando MTG Card
2002-10-07 - Number 228
2010-06-18 - Number 47
2018-03-16 - Number 150
2019-11-07 - Number 1059
2020-09-26 - Number A25-150
| Card sets | Released in 5 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Goblin |
| Abilities | Morph |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
Whenever Skirk Commando deals combat damage to a player, you may have it deal 2 damage to target creature that player controls. Morph o R (You may play this face down as a 2/2 creature for o3. Turn it face up any time for its morph cost.)
Cards like Skirk Commando
Skirk Commando provides a twist to the creature lineup in Magic: The Gathering. It shares similarities with cards like Fireslinger, which also deals direct damage to opponents or creatures. Skirk Commando, however, distinguishes itself with a morbid ability – it only unleashes its damage when unblocked. Conversely, Fireslinger can ping targets regardless of combat conditions, but it requires you to take 1 damage in return.
In the same realm, we encounter Goblin Arsonist, which can deal damage when it dies. This card’s impact is more inevitable, as it doesn’t rely on combat scenarios to be useful. Skirk Commando’s damage, on the other hand, provides more potential but depends on successful attacks. Additionally, Mogg Flunkies also deserve a mention. While it doesn’t deal direct damage, its necessity for another creature to attack can be a drawback compared to Skirk Commando’s lone striking ability.
After examining shared traits and individual quirks of these creatures, Skirk Commando stands out for players who enjoy combat tricks and pushing through extra damage. It’s a card that can potentially change the tide of a game with its conditional, yet potent ability to deal direct damage.
Cards similar to Skirk Commando by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Skirk Commando encourages aggressive playstyles while offering card advantage through its ability to draw a card upon dealing combat damage to an opponent. This mechanic provides tactical opportunities to outdraw your opponent and maintain a steady flow of resources.
Resource Acceleration: While Skirk Commando doesn’t directly provide mana acceleration, its presence on the battlefield applies pressure, potentially drawing out removal spells from an opponent’s hand early. This indirect resource acceleration can give you the upper hand, paving the way for bigger threats without the fear of immediate opposition.
Instant Speed: While Skirk Commando itself does not operate at instant speed, its interaction with instant speed tricks and removals can catch opponents off guard. For instance, instant speed spells that remove blockers or give Skirk Commando evasion abilities greatly enhance its chance to deal combat damage and trigger its card draw ability, turning it into a surprising source of card advantage.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Skirk Commando’s ability to deal damage to a player and then have you draw a card only triggers when it attacks and isn’t blocked. This means you must risk the Commando on the battlefield without guaranteeing a successful hit, potentially wasting your combat phase if your opponent has a strong defense.
Specific Mana Cost: Requiring both red and generic mana, Skirk Commando demands a dedicated slot in your mana curve. In multi-colored decks, meeting the red mana requirement can be tricky, especially in the early game where establishing your mana base is critical.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana for a 2/1 creature, Skirk Commando is on the higher end when considering efficiency. Other creatures at this cost may provide better stats or abilities. Additionally, in a fast-paced game, a three mana 2/1 creature might not provide the impact required to justify its inclusion over lower cost creatures with similar or better abilities.
Reasons to Include Skirk Commando in Your Collection
Versatility: Skirk Commando can seamlessly integrate into various red-based aggressive decks. Its ability to deal damage to players directly and its potential to remove opponent’s creatures when it deals combat damage can prove useful in multiple game scenarios.
Combo Potential: The damage-triggered ability to destroy target creatures can be combined with sneaky tactics that ensure Skirk Commando connects with the opponent. In combination with cards that grant evasion, like giving it trample or unblockable, you can capitalize on its unique combat damage effect.
Meta-Relevance: In formats where creature-based strategies dominate, Skirk Commando can disrupt opponent’s board presence. Especially in a meta with lots of low-toughness utility creatures, it can play a crucial role in controlling the pace of the game, making it a reasonably effective tool in the right environment.
How to beat
Skirk Commando presents a unique challenge on the battlefield with its ability to sneak in damage and potentially draw out a creature from your opponent when it hits them directly. This creature card places pressure due to its on-damage effect, making it a key target to address in play.
To effectively counter Skirk Commando, it’s essential to prevent it from dealing combat damage to you. Utilizing cards with high toughness to block can diminish its impact, as can leveraging instant speed removal or damage spells to eliminate it before it becomes a threat. Alternatively, inserting enough high-powered defenders on the board can serve as a deterrent, persuading your opponent to hold back their attack.
Control strategies can be particularly effective against Skirk Commando. Counter spells or bounce effects can reset its position and require additional mana investment from your opponent. In essence, understanding the dynamics of combat and being proactive with your defensive resources can mitigate the risks posed by Skirk Commando and allow you to maintain the upper hand in your Magic: The Gathering matches.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Skirk Commando MTG card by a specific set like Onslaught and Archenemy, 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 Skirk Commando 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 Skirk Commando Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2002-10-07 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2002-10-07 | Onslaught | ONS | 228 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Dave Dorman | |
| 2 | 2010-06-18 | Archenemy | ARC | 47 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Dave Dorman | |
| 3 | 2018-03-16 | Masters 25 | A25 | 150 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Slawomir Maniak | |
| 4 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 1059 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Slawomir Maniak | |
| 5 | The List | PLST | A25-150 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Slawomir Maniak |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Skirk Commando has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |