Skirk Shaman MTG Card
2007-02-02 - Number 123
2007-11-16 - Number 52
2014-12-05 - Number 52
2021-03-19 - Number 191
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Goblin Shaman |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
Skirk Shaman can't be blocked except by artifact creatures and/or red creatures.
In a shaman's grimy hands, a concoction of dried Skirk Ridge herbs can become the face of panic.
Cards like Skirk Shaman
Skirk Shaman is an intriguing creature card for players who are fond of red creature-focused decks in Magic: The Gathering. This Goblin Shaman is similar to cards like Goblin Outlander, which shares the same converted mana cost and possesses the protection from white ability, making it a staple in matches against decks heavy in white spells. Both creatures provide vital defense and offense strategies in specific match-ups.
Contrasting with Guttersnipe, another red creature with a focus on instants and sorceries for its special ability to deal damage, Skirk Shaman brings a different tactical advantage. Its special feature, being unblockable by creatures except by artifact creatures and/or other red creatures, ensures it can often sneak through enemy defenses, unlike Guttersnipe. Then there’s Rakdos Shred-Freak, a creature of the same cost with haste, but without the capacity to bypass creatures for consistent attack assurance that Skirk Shaman provides.
Despite the differences, what makes Skirk Shaman stand out is its subtle blend of offensive capability and evasion, carving its niche in MTG as a valuable addition to red-based aggressive strategies that focus on directly diminishing opponent life totals.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Skirk Shaman itself doesn’t directly allow you to draw additional cards, its tribal synergies can lead to indirect card advantage through interactions with other cards that reward you for controlling a Goblin.
Resource Acceleration: Skirk Shaman may not provide resource acceleration in the conventional sense, such as ramping with additional mana, but efficiently costed creatures like this can enable aggressive strategies, allowing you to apply pressure and reduce the need for more resources.
Instant Speed: Skirk Shaman’s capacity isn’t related to instant speed, yet its inherent evasion ability to be unblockable by non-red creatures ensures it remains a consistent threat, making it a reliable component within your deck’s strategy at any stage of the game.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While the Skirk Shaman offers distinct tribal synergies, it doesn’t come without its drawbacks. Without a way to mitigate or take advantage of discarding, this requirement can inadvertently deplete your hand and leave you at a disadvantage.
Specific Mana Cost: The Skirk Shaman demands a commitment to red mana in your deck’s composition. This can be restrictive, especially in multicolored decks that need to balance their mana base carefully to accommodate a diverse spell range.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: In the fast-paced game environment where efficiency is crucial, Skirk Shaman’s mana cost may be seen as steep. Considering this cost alongside the current pool of creatures available, players might find other creatures that provide a better power to casting cost ratio, thus giving them a competitive edge.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Skirk Shaman has the flexibility to slide into various red-based decks, particularly those looking to exploit the evasion provided by its ability to be unblockable by creatures other than red.
Combo Potential: This card can work well within synergy-focused Goblin or tribal decks, capitalizing on the shaman’s type to bolster the power of other tribal members or to enable specific Goblin interactions.
Meta-Relevance: In an environment where non-red creature decks are prevalent, Skirk Shaman can serve as a reliable source of direct damage, consistently sneaking past defensive lines to whittle down an opponent’s life total.
How to beat Skirk Shaman
Skirk Shaman is a creature known for being unblockable by non-red creatures in Magic: The Gathering. This can make it a persistent threat in certain matchups, particularly when facing decks that rely on green, white, blue, or black creatures for defense. Overcoming this fiery goblin requires a strategic approach, one that often involves direct removal spells or effects.
Key to handling Skirk Shaman is the availability of red removal spells, like Lightning Bolt or Abrade, which can efficiently deal with it irrespective of its unblockable ability. It’s also worth considering spells that do not target, such as Pyroclasm or other damage-dealing sweepers. Additionally, black spells that force sacrifice, like Diabolic Edict, bypass Skirk Shaman’s color protection altogether.
Managing your resources and having a deck equipped with versatile answers proves to be of paramount importance. A balanced deck with a variety of removal options is adept at dealing with threats like Skirk Shaman, ensuring that you’re prepared for what your opponent brings to the table, and can maintain control over the game state.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Skirk Shaman MTG card by a specific set like Planar Chaos 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 Shaman 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 Skirk Shaman Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2007-02-02 and 2021-03-19. Illustrated by Chippy.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2007-02-02 | Planar Chaos | PLC | 123 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Chippy | |
| 2 | 2007-11-16 | Duel Decks: Elves vs. Goblins | DD1 | 52 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Chippy | |
| 3 | 2014-12-05 | Duel Decks Anthology: Elves vs. Goblins | EVG | 52 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Chippy | |
| 4 | 2021-03-19 | Time Spiral Remastered | TSR | 191 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Chippy |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Skirk Shaman has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |