Skitterskin MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Eldrazi Drone |
| Abilities | Devoid |
| Released | 2015-10-02 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Battle for Zendikar |
| Set code | BFZ |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 3 |
| Number | 97 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Michael Komarck |
Text of card
Devoid (This card has no color.)Skitterskin can't block.: Regenerate Skitterskin. Activate this ability only if you control another colorless creature.
Cards like Skitterskin
Skitterskin stands out in the realm of creature cards in Magic: The Gathering with its regenerative ability that’s distinctly rare among black-aligned Eldrazi. This card shares resemblances with other creatures like Reassembling Skeleton — both can rise from the graveyard to the battlefield, although Skitterskin requires devoid creatures to regenerate, while Reassembling Skeleton has a static mana cost for its return. Another comparable card is Bloodsoaked Champion, which also boasts a recurring capability but leans on the Raid mechanism to return it to the battlefield, unlike Skitterskin’s devoid condition.
Delving deeper into Eldrazi territory, Endless One is akin to Skitterskin, offering flexibility in size for X mana, minus the revival ability. However, the true charm of Skitterskin is in its synergies with other Eldrazi and decks exploiting the ingest-process mechanic, setting it apart from its kin. Conversely, Endless One’s strength lies in vanilla flexibility. While the recurring aspect of Skitterskin is valuable, ensuring a persistent threat, it’s the unique conditions for return and synergy with the devoid which gives Skitterskin its niche in deck construction.
Skitterskin’s inclusion in decks is tactically situational, especially when exploiting its regenerative advantage and interactions with the broader Eldrazi suite, securing its place within the MTG creature lineup for its distinctive reanimation among its brethren.
Cards similar to Skitterskin by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Skitterskin offers a unique recurring presence on the battlefield. Each time it regenerates, it has the potential to pressure opponents without losing board state, indirectly creating card advantage as you save creatures from death.
Resource Acceleration: While Skitterskin itself doesn’t directly contribute to resource acceleration, its ability to regenerate can save you the resources you would otherwise spend on casting another creature. This preservation of mana and creatures allows you to allocate resources elsewhere, potentially accelerating your gameplay.
Instant Speed: Regeneration as an ability can be activated at instant speed, providing strategic flexibility. Skitterskin can be regenerated any time it would be destroyed, provided you control another colorless creature, making it a resilient threat that can survive board wipes or targeted removal, often at times when your opponent least expects it.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Skitterskin demands sacrificing another creature when regenerating, potentially depleting your board presence and strategic resources.
Specific Mana Cost: The card requires black mana exclusively, which could restrict its playability to mono-black or color-committed decks, limiting its flexibility in a diverse meta.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: For a card with base power and toughness of 4/3, the four mana needed to cast is significant, especially when other creatures in the same cost bracket might offer additional abilities or synergies without requiring a sacrifice.
Reasons to Include Skitterskin in Your Collection
Versatility: Skitterskin provides flexibility for players running black decks or those requiring a resilient creature. As a card that can be regenerated in decks with a devoid theme or a colorless creature base, it’s a consistent threat on the board.
Combo Potential: With its regeneration ability, Skitterskin pairs well with sacrifice outlets, allowing you to maintain board presence while gaining value from other cards. It serves as a reliable component in combos that benefit from repeatable creature sacrifices.
Meta-Relevance: In an environment where attrition battles are frequent, Skitterskin shines by being able to return to the battlefield turn after turn. This makes it an underutilized asset in matches that grind out for extended plays, providing a persistent obstacle for your opponents.
How to beat Skitterskin
Skitterskin presents a notable challenge on the battlefield with its unique regeneration ability available only if you control another colorless creature. This regeneration ability can make Skitterskin quite resilient against most forms of direct damage and destruction.
To effectively counter Skitterskin, a player must focus on either removing its regeneration shield or employing strategies that bypass it. One method is to utilize exile effects, such as with spells like Path to Exile or Swords to Plowshares, which safely remove Skitterskin from the game without triggering its regeneration. Additionally, mass removal spells that don’t destroy, like Settle the Wreckage, can clear Skitterskin without allowing the chance to regenerate.
Another tactic involves limiting the number of colorless creatures your opponent controls. Without another colorless creature on the field, Skitterskin’s regeneration is nullified. Board control spells and creature removals can keep the number of colorless creatures in check. In sum, understanding and disrupting the key synergy needed for Skitterskin’s regeneration is crucial for overcoming this pesky Eldrazi creature.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Skitterskin MTG card by a specific set like Battle for Zendikar, 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 Skitterskin and other MTG cards:
BUY NOW BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
- 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
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Skitterskin has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Skitterskin card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2015-08-25 | A card with devoid is just colorless. It’s not colorless and the colors of mana in its mana cost. |
| 2015-08-25 | Cards with devoid use frames that are variations of the transparent frame traditionally used for Eldrazi. The top part of the card features some color over a background based on the texture of the hedrons that once imprisoned the Eldrazi. This coloration is intended to aid deckbuilding and game play. |
| 2015-08-25 | Devoid works in all zones, not just on the battlefield. |
| 2015-08-25 | If a card loses devoid, it will still be colorless. This is because effects that change an object’s color (like the one created by devoid) are considered before the object loses devoid. |
| 2015-08-25 | Once you legally activate the ability, it doesn’t matter what happens to the other colorless creature. The ability will resolve and create a regeneration shield even if you don’t control another colorless creature at that time. |
| 2015-08-25 | Other cards and abilities can give a card with devoid color. If that happens, it’s just the new color, not that color and colorless. |
| 2015-08-25 | Skitterskin’s activated ability doesn’t depend on Skitterskin being colorless. If it gains one or more colors, you can still activate the ability if you control another creature that’s colorless. |