Skirk Drill Sergeant MTG Card
2003-02-03 - Number 112
2007-11-16 - Number 49
2014-06-16 - Number 185
2014-12-05 - Number 49
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Goblin |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
Whenever Skirk Drill Sergeant or another Goblin is put into a graveyard from play, you may pay . If you do, reveal the top card of your library. If it's a Goblin card, put it into play. Otherwise, put it into your graveyard.
"I order you to volunteer."
Cards like Skirk Drill Sergeant
Skirk Drill Sergeant brings a unique twist to creature dynamics in Magic: The Gathering. Relative to others like it, such as Mogg War Marshal, it offers something distinct. Mogg War Marshal is a card that, like Skirk Drill Sergeant, creates additional Goblin tokens upon entering the battlefield and when it dies. However, Skirk Drill Sergeant requires an investment of Mana to utilize its ability, trading more resources for the potential of directly placing goblins from the top of your library onto the battlefield.
Goblin Matron is another card deserving mention here. It lets you search for a Goblin card in your deck and put it into your hand, ensuring it lands exactly what you need for strategic advantage. While Skirk Drill Sergeant leans on luck for deck manipulation, Goblin Matron ensures a more controlled outcome.
Evaluating these Goblins in MTG shows that Skirk Drill Sergeant has a gamble-like nature but can create impactful plays with its unique ability. It operates in a shared space with cards that foster Goblin synergy but stands out with the possibility to churn out multiple creatures given the right circumstances.
Cards similar to Skirk Drill Sergeant by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Skirk Drill Sergeant. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Mono Red Combo Goblins | Free form | Noble Spring Quarterly |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Skirk Drill Sergeant unlocks potential card advantage by digging into your deck for creature cards. When it deals damage to an opponent, you may pay two mana to reveal the top card of your library. If that card is a Goblin card, you can put it directly into play, thereby bypassing the need to draw and cast it traditionally. This ability can quickly overshadow your opponent with an army of goblins, making it a valuable asset in goblin-themed decks.
Resource Acceleration: This card encourages a more aggressive playstyle which can lead to resource acceleration. While not providing direct mana advantage, the Skirk Drill Sergeant can effectively reduce the cost of goblin creatures by putting them into play for a fraction of their usual cost. This can result in a tempo gain as you deploy threats faster than your opponent can respond to.
Instant Speed: While Skirk Drill Sergeant itself is not an instant, its triggered ability can be utilized during the damage step, which can be unexpected for your opponent. The ability to potentially deploy a goblin creature during the combat phase adds an element of surprise and can significantly alter the state of the board at a crucial moment in the game.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Skirk Drill Sergeant necessitates parting with a card from your hand to enable its ability. In the heat of the game, when your hand size is dwindling, triggering this effect can place you at a disadvantage, potentially depleting crucial resources at a critical time.
Specific Mana Cost: The card’s activation requires a combination of generic and red mana, which can pose restrictions for players not running a red-centric or compatible mana base. For those without ready access to red mana, this condition makes it a challenging fit for their deck’s strategy.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With an activation cost that might compete with other key plays, Skirk Drill Sergeant isn’t always the optimal choice. For a three-mana creature, players often look for immediate impact or a stronger board presence, which the Sergeant’s later-game ability might not sufficiently provide compared to other alternatives within the same mana range.
Reasons to Include Skirk Drill Sergeant in Your Collection
Versatility: Skirk Drill Sergeant offers flexibility, fitting well in red-based aggressive decks or those looking to utilize goblins for various synergies. Its ability to generate additional creatures adds value across multiple game states.
Combo Potential: This card has the potential to link with other goblin-themed cards, creating explosive turns by possibly flipping goblins off the top of your library for unexpected plays.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where goblins are prominent or the meta is ripe for aggro strategies, Skirk Drill Sergeant can serve as a key piece in decks that aim to overwhelm opponents with a flurry of creatures.
How to beat
Skirk Drill Sergeant is an intriguing creature card in Magic: The Gathering that boasts an ability that allows you to potentially generate additional creature cards. Its ability triggers upon its dealing combat damage, enabling you to flip the top card of your library. If that card is a goblin card, you may put it into play, thus potentially increasing your army on the field rapidly. However, this mechanism can be mitigated by preventing the Skirk Drill Sergeant from dealing combat damage in the first place.
To counteract Skirk Drill Sergeant’s strengths, it is advisable to remove it before it can strike. Cards such as Shock or Path to Exile can be efficient tools in this regard. Another strategy is to block the Sergeant with a creature that has first strike or deathtouch, ensuring it’s destroyed before dealing any damage. Additionally, utilizing counterspells when Skirk Drill Sergeant is cast can prevent your opponent from ever benefiting from its ability. Keeping the field clear of other goblins also minimizes the chance that its ability will result in a cost-free creature.
Overall, strategizing around direct removal, creature control, and preemptive measures can assure that the potential threats of Skirk Drill Sergeant are deftly neutralized, keeping your opponent’s goblin horde at bay.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Skirk Drill Sergeant MTG card by a specific set like Legions and Duel Decks: Elves vs. Goblins, 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 Drill Sergeant 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
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Printings
The Skirk Drill Sergeant Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2003-02-03 and 2014-12-05. Illustrated by Alex Horley-Orlandelli.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2003-02-03 | Legions | LGN | 112 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Alex Horley-Orlandelli | |
| 2 | 2007-11-16 | Duel Decks: Elves vs. Goblins | DD1 | 49 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Alex Horley-Orlandelli | |
| 3 | 2014-06-16 | Vintage Masters | VMA | 185 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Alex Horley-Orlandelli | |
| 4 | 2014-12-05 | Duel Decks Anthology: Elves vs. Goblins | EVG | 49 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Alex Horley-Orlandelli |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Skirk Drill Sergeant has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |