Skred MTG Card
2006-07-21 - Number 97
2020-09-26 - Number CSP-97
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Instant |
Text of card
Skred deals damage to target creature equal to the number of snow permanents you control.
"This close to Rimewind Keep, no avalanche is nature's doing." —Ukoten, centaur chieftain
Cards like Skred
Skred stands out in the world of red disruption spells in Magic: The Gathering. This instant spell’s damage potential is directly tied to the number of snow-covered lands you control, making it a unique and focused card for snow-heavy decks. Skred compares interestingly to Lightning Bolt, a staple red spell renowned for its cost-efficient damage output. While Lightning Bolt always deals three damage regardless of the game state, Skred’s variable damage can surpass this threshold but requires a specific land base to do so.
Another card worth comparing is Frost Bite, which also demands a snow requirement to maximize its effect, dealing three damage when you control three or more snow permanents. Frost Bite, similar to Skred, benefits from being an instant, allowing reactive plays, yet it doesn’t scale with the game progression as Skred does. Then comes Flameslash, which delivers a solid four damage for one red mana but at sorcery speed, limiting its defensive capabilities compared to the instantaneous nature of Skred.
Ultimately, while each red spell has its own merits for controlling the board, Skred’s potential for immense damage backed by a snow land base puts it in a realm of dynamic playability suited for dedicated snow decks in Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Skred by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Skred. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Temur Ponza | Pauper | 4° Tappa - Season 7 - Road to Paupergeddon Spring edition 2024 @ Lega Pauper Martesana | |
 | UR | Pauper | Pauper Challenge 64 2024-04-21 | |
| Grixis Control | Pauper | Grixis Control | Pauper Challenge 64 2024-04-28 |
 | Jeskai Ephemerate | Pauper | Jeskai Ephemerate | Pauper Preliminary 2024-04-22 |
| Gruul Midrange | Pauper | Gruul Midrange | Pauper Challenge 32 2024-04-26 |
| Izzet Control | Pauper | 5° Tappa - Season 7 - Road to Paupergeddon Spring edition 2024 @ Lega Pauper Martesana | |
| Gruul Ponza | Pauper | Gruul Ponza | Pauper Challenge 64 2024-04-21 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Skred shines in decks where every card counts, as it offers the player targeted removal without losing card equity. Those piloting a Red deck with a snow land base find it to be an excellent tool for managing threats, ensuring they maintain parity or even edge ahead in the relentless resource war that defines many MTG matchups.
Resource Acceleration: While Skred itself doesn’t directly result in resource acceleration, it preserves critical mana resources by providing a cost-efficient solution to opposing creatures. The less mana you spend dealing with threats, the more you have available for establishing board presence and advancing your game plan. It’s especially effective in the early game where mana efficiency can make or break your tempo.
Instant Speed: Skred’s instant speed is a significant upside, allowing players to navigate complex board states and make decisions with the full grasp of an opponent’s actions. Whether it’s removing a creature during the opponent’s turn to disrupt synergy or using it in combat to eliminate a blocker or attacker, the flexibility of instant speed removal provides a tactical advantage which is crucial for any player seeking to control the game’s pace.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Although Skred doesn’t ask for any cards to be thrown away, players should be constantly aware of card advantage, and using removal spells like Skred can sometimes result in a one-for-one trade, reducing hand size.
Specific Mana Cost: Skred specifically requires snow-covered mountains for its full potential, necessitating a deck built around these particular lands. This can make deck building less flexible as it heavily relies on this land subset.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Skred’s mana cost is low, it scales with the number of snow-covered mountains you control, meaning it can be less impactful early game or in situations where the snow land count is low, leading to inefficient damage output relative to other removal options.
Reasons to Include Skred in Your Collection
Versatility: Skred is a highly adaptable card, seamless in mono-red control or midrange strategies. It can answer a variety of threats due to its scaling damage based on the number of snow permanents you control.
Combo Potential: This instant spell harmonizes well with snow-based land setups, ramping up potential damage as your snow-covered lands increase. A perfect fit for those looking to capitalize on snow synergies within their decks.
Meta-Relevance: Given its direct damage capability, Skred easily targets key creatures in creature-centric metas. Its relatively low cost and high impact make it a valuable asset, especially when aggressive and smaller creatures dominate the battlefield.
How to beat
Skred is a potent force in MTG, known for its scalability and its damage directly tied to the number of snow-covered lands you control. Players often turn to this card due to its low casting cost and the deadly potential it possesses in the late game. To outmaneuver an opponent using Skred, the key is to mitigate its impact by maintaining a diverse mana base and limiting the number of snow lands on the field.
One effective strategy is to leverage land destruction or land conversion spells, reducing the amount of snow-covered terrain they can leverage. Cards such as Blood Moon transform all lands into basic mountains, cutting off the snow synergy Skred depends on. Additionally, strategic counterspells or protective spells like Apostle’s Blessing can safeguard your creatures from Skred’s wrath, preserving your battlefield presence and keeping you in the game longer.
In sum, while Skred can be a formidable adversary in MTG, a well-rounded approach that includes mana disruption and proactive protection can turn the tides in your favor, ensuring your deck remains a step ahead in the frosty face-off with this high-impact card.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Skred MTG card by a specific set like Coldsnap and The List, 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 Skred 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
Printings
The Skred Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2006-07-21 and 2006-07-21. Illustrated by Christopher Moeller.
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Skred has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |