Skizzik MTG Card
2000-10-02 - Number 169
2001-08-08 - Number tvdl169
2018-04-27 - Number 145
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Elemental |
| Abilities | Haste,Kicker,Trample |
| Power | 5 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
Kicker o R (You may pay an additional o R as you play this spell.) Trample; haste (This creature may attack and oc T the turn it comes under your control.) At end of turn, sacrifice Skizzik unless the kicker cost was paid.
Cards like Skizzik
Skizzik is a unique creature card in Magic: The Gathering that stands out for its explosive entry onto the battlefield. Hailing from the sets Urza’s Saga and Invasion, it’s similar to other creatures like Ball Lightning in its haste and significant damage potential. While Skizzik offers a substantial 5/3 body that can attack immediately, Ball Lightning boasts a bit more power with a 6/1 stat line. However, Skizzik comes with the option to pay an additional one red mana when casting to prevent it from being sacrificed at the end of the turn, a flexibility absent in Ball Lightning’s design.
Another comparable card is Spark Elemental. This card brings a lesser impact to the battlefield with a 3/1 body, but it shares the trample ability and the same end of turn sacrifice clause without an option to retain it. However, it’s lighter on the mana budget, which can be critical in fast-paced red deck strategies.
All things considered, Skizzik occupies a niche spot in red aggressive decks, where its potential for immediate board impact and versatility in terms of permanence can be the difference between victory and defeat in the fiery dance of MTG creature combat.
Cards similar to Skizzik by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: With Skizzik’s surprise factor and potential to deal significant damage, if not answered promptly, it can turn the tide of the game in your favor. Although it doesn’t draw cards directly, it applies pressure that may force an opponent to use more resources to handle it, potentially yielding indirect card advantage.
Resource Acceleration: While Skizzik itself doesn’t offer direct mana acceleration, its kicker ability can present an immediate threat that requires an opponent to deal with it swiftly, potentially disrupting their mana curve and accelerating your board presence as a consequence.
Instant Speed: Skizzik can be cast at instant speed if the kicker cost is paid, giving it haste and allowing it to swing for damage immediately. This ability to quickly come into play on your turn before moving to combat can catch an opponent unprepared and make it a versatile threat in any red aggro strategy.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: As a player, having to discard a card to meet the necessary conditions for launching Skizzik onto the battlefield can lead to a loss of valuable hand advantage. This trade-off often makes you think twice if the immediate board presence is worth the card loss, particularly when your hand size is dwindling.
Specific Mana Cost: Skizzik demands a precise mana allocation, including both generic and red mana, which may not always align with your deck’s mana curve or availability. This requirement can prove tricky, especially when you’re running a multicolored deck and need to keep your mana open for various plays.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Deploying Skizzik’s aggressive potential comes at a cost – four mana, to be exact. In the competitive landscape where efficiency can turn the tides of a game, there are cards which might offer a more impactful presence or effects for a similar, if not lower, investment. This might cause Skizzik to be overlooked in favor of these alternatives when deckbuilding.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Skizzik offers a flexible play option for red decks with its aggressive stats and the ability to surprise opponents with haste. Its potential as a finisher in both aggro and midrange builds makes it a worthy card for various strategic approaches.
Combo Potential: The synergy Skizzik has with cards that capitalize on sacrifice mechanics or the need for a fast, impactful creature makes it a key component in inventive combos, suitable for decks that enjoy the element of surprise to overpower adversaries.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where games are won at a rapid pace, Skizzik holds value as a formidable threat that demands an immediate answer. Due to its instantaneous board presence, it can be a game-changer against slower-paced decks or those ill-prepared for a sudden burst of damage.
How to beat
Within the realm of Magic: The Gathering, the Skizzik card possesses a unique combination of traits that can make it a formidable creature to face on the battlefield. With its inherent haste, it’s capable of striking quickly, potentially catching an unprepared opponent off guard. Additionally, the kicker option it holds allows for unexpected permanency on the board, significantly altering the tempo of the game.
To successfully navigate against Skizzik’s swift and hard-hitting presence, players must strategize efficiently. One effective tactic is to maintain removal spells in hand. Instant-speed removals such as Swords to Plowshares or Path to Exile can efficiently dispatch Skizzik before it unleashes havoc, even during your opponent’s turn. Another approach is to play creatures with higher toughness early on; this allows you to block Skizzik effectively, potentially eliminating it upon engagement due to its lower toughness.
Taking these measures into consideration, players can mitigate Skizzik’s initial impact and level the playing field. Keeping a close watch on both mana availability and the spells you have at your disposal will prepare you for when Skizzik bursts into the fray and help ensure it doesn’t tip the scales in your opponent’s favor.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Skizzik MTG card by a specific set like Invasion and World Championship Decks 2001, 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 Skizzik 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 Skizzik Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2000-10-02 and 2018-04-27. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2000-10-02 | Invasion | INV | 169 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Ron Spencer | |
| 2 | 2001-08-08 | World Championship Decks 2001 | WC01 | tvdl169 | 1997 | Normal | Gold | Ron Spencer | |
| 3 | 2018-04-27 | Dominaria | DOM | 145 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Tomasz Jedruszek |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Skizzik has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Skizzik card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2018-04-27 | Skizzik’s ability checks at each end step whether it was kicked while it was being cast. You don’t have to pay its kicker cost each turn (and can’t do so, even if you really want to kick it again). |