Skophos Maze-Warden MTG Card

Skophos Maze-Warden’s untap ability facilitates both offensive strikes and defensive plays during MTG matchups. Scaling with the number of Mountains, the card becomes more potent in mono-red decks as the game progresses. Instant-speed activation adds an element of surprise, enhancing combat tactics and battlefield control.

Skophos Maze-Warden - Theros Beyond Death

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Minotaur Warrior
Abilities	Fight
Released	2020-01-24
Set symbol
Set name	Theros Beyond Death
Set code	THB
Power	3
Toughness	4
Number	153
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Jason Rainville

Text of card

: Skophos Maze-Warden gets +1/-1 until end of turn. Whenever another creature becomes the target of an ability of a land you control named Labyrinth of Skophos, you may have Skophos Maze-Warden fight that creature. (Each deals damage equal to its power to the other.)

Cards like Skophos Maze-Warden

Skophos Maze-Warden harnesses the labyrinthine magic of Magic the Gathering, drawing comparisons to other maze-themed cards like Minotaur’s Labyrinth. While both cards celebrate the Minotaur creature type and their mythical backdrop, Skophos Maze-Warden offers a unique ability that allows players to give it a +1/+1 boost until end of turn each time a player pays the mana cost. This differs from Minotaur’s Labyrinth, which provides a static power-up to Minotaurs.

Another card worth mentioning is Maze Rusher. Both creatures share the haste attribute, letting them charge into combat with speed. Yet, Maze Rusher lacks the customizable strength of Skophos Maze-Warden, which can repeatedly increase its power within a turn. Wall of Maze’s Touch, while not a Minotaur, also plays on labyrinth motifs in MTG. It offers a defensive utility instead of offensive, unlike the Skophos Maze-Warden which can relentlessly attack or become an imposing blocker with the right mana investment.

Ultimately, while each of these maze-inspired MTG cards carries distinctive traits and uses, Skophos Maze-Warden offers a flexible option for players who value on-demand power adjustment and a card capable of adapting to varying game situations.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Skophos Maze-Warden has an intriguing ability that can create openings for aggressive plays. By potentially untapping your creature with each activation, this card can set up repeatable instances of damage output or act as a repetitive blocker, giving you an upper hand in maintaining battlefield presence.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly impacting mana resources, Skophos Maze-Warden’s ability scales with the number of Mountains you control. This synergy allows for increased effectiveness as your mana base grows, effectively accelerating the card’s combat utility within a Red-focused deck, especially in the late game where more Mountains are present.

Instant Speed: Though Skophos Maze-Warden itself doesn’t function at instant speed, its ability can be activated anytime you could cast an instant. This quality gives you the flexibility to surprise your opponent by enhancing the Maze-Warden in combat during either player’s turn, which adds a dynamic layer to your in-game strategy.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Skophos Maze-Warden demands players to sacrifice a card, potentially depleting valuable hand assets which limits strategic options especially in tight game scenarios.

Specific Mana Cost: With a casting cost that includes both generic and red mana, this card’s integration can be challenging in multicolored decks, confining it to a more red-centric strategy.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Requiring three mana and one red to play, Skophos Maze-Warden’s cost is somewhat elevated when compared to other creatures in the game, potentially slowing down the player’s tempo in critical early rounds.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Skophos Maze-Warden offers a unique blend of abilities that can adapt to various play styles. Its power to shift into a formidable blocker or an aggressive attacker makes it a dynamic addition to red decks that appreciate flexibility.

Combo Potential: With the ability to pump its power, Skophos Maze-Warden works well with cards that capitalize on high-strength creatures. It can synergize in decks focused on combat tricks or those aiming to maximize damage output swiftly.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment where aggressive strategies are prevalent, Skophos Maze-Warden can hold its ground. It’s a solid pick for players looking to fortify their collections with cards that have the potential to combat against and within fast-paced decks.

How to beat

Skophos Maze-Warden is an intriguing card that brings a unique dynamic to MTG battles. With its ability to gain +1/0 and the potential to make creatures unable to block, planning around this card becomes essential. To effectively counter Skophos Maze-Warden, it is advisable to utilize removal spells before the opponent can establish a position of strength. Using cards like Murder or Doom Blade to eliminate it before its ability is activated can be a strategic move.

Considering enchantment-based removal, Pacifism or Banishing Light are excellent ways to neutralize Skophos Maze-Warden without triggering its abilities, effectively containing the threat it poses. Furthermore, instant-speed interaction such as Counterspell or Essence Scatter ensures you can deal with the Maze-Warden as it attempts to enter the battlefield, thereby preventing your opponent from getting the upper hand in the labyrinthine game of MTG.

In summary, facing Skophos Maze-Warden requires preemptive measures or quick responses. By incorporating efficient removal and counter strategies into your deck, you can ensure that the Maze-Warden doesn’t lead you down a path of defeat, securing your edge in the tactical world of MTG.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Skophos Maze-Warden MTG card by a specific set like Theros Beyond Death, 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 Skophos Maze-Warden and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Skophos Maze-Warden has restrictions

Format	Legality
Historicbrawl	Legal
Historic	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Restricted
Oathbreaker	Legal
Gladiator	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Commander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Explorer	Legal
Penny	Legal
Timeless	Legal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Skophos Maze-Warden card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date	Text
2020-01-24	An ability that triggers when a creature becomes the target of an ability resolves before the ability that caused it to trigger. It resolves even if that ability is countered or if the creature is no longer a legal target.
2020-01-24	If either Skophos Maze-Warden or the creature targeted by Labyrinth of Skophos has left the battlefield, the other won’t deal or be dealt damage.