Skullcrack MTG Card


Skullcrack ensures damage dealt is inevitable, giving red decks a distinct strategic edge. At a low cost and instant speed, it allows for flexible and timely play. Essential against life-gain strategies, it remains relevant in various MTG metas.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityUncommon
TypeInstant

Text of card

Players can't gain life this turn. Damage can't be prevented this turn. Skullcrack deals 3 damage to target player.

The lawmage's argument was clever and well reasoned, but Blunk's response proved irrefutable.


Cards like Skullcrack

When it comes to direct damage spells in Magic the Gathering, Skullcrack is a notable entry for denying opponents any chances of gaining life during that turn. It’s similar in effect to Atarka’s Command which not only prevents life gain but also offers versatile modes. However, Skullcrack is more straightforward and less costly at only two mana.

Flames of the Raze-Boar is another card that can potentially offer a significant impact on the board by dealing damage, although its higher mana cost and specific board state requirements make it less flexible than Skullcrack. Then there’s Rending Volley, with its uncounterable angle and particular creature destruction – excellent for taking down creatures with protection from specific colors, yet it lacks the life-gain prevention that makes Skullcrack unique.

In sum, Skullcrack carves its niche in Magic the Gathering as a versatile sideboard card, specifically against decks that hinge on life gain. Its low cost and instant speed allow for strategic plays that can swing the game in your favor, especially in the context of an aggressive red strategy.

Atarka's Command - MTG Card versions
Flames of the Raze-Boar - MTG Card versions
Rending Volley - MTG Card versions
Atarka's Command - MTG Card versions
Flames of the Raze-Boar - MTG Card versions
Rending Volley - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Skullcrack by color, type and mana cost

Shatter - MTG Card versions
Word of Blasting - MTG Card versions
Incinerate - MTG Card versions
Guerrilla Tactics - MTG Card versions
Aleatory - MTG Card versions
Orcish Catapult - MTG Card versions
Blood Frenzy - MTG Card versions
Fling - MTG Card versions
Falter - MTG Card versions
Shattering Pulse - MTG Card versions
Flowstone Strike - MTG Card versions
Shrapnel Blast - MTG Card versions
Glacial Ray - MTG Card versions
Smash to Smithereens - MTG Card versions
Starstorm - MTG Card versions
First Volley - MTG Card versions
Blazing Shoal - MTG Card versions
Surging Flame - MTG Card versions
Psychotic Fury - MTG Card versions
Sudden Shock - MTG Card versions
Shatter - MTG Card versions
Word of Blasting - MTG Card versions
Incinerate - MTG Card versions
Guerrilla Tactics - MTG Card versions
Aleatory - MTG Card versions
Orcish Catapult - MTG Card versions
Blood Frenzy - MTG Card versions
Fling - MTG Card versions
Falter - MTG Card versions
Shattering Pulse - MTG Card versions
Flowstone Strike - MTG Card versions
Shrapnel Blast - MTG Card versions
Glacial Ray - MTG Card versions
Smash to Smithereens - MTG Card versions
Starstorm - MTG Card versions
First Volley - MTG Card versions
Blazing Shoal - MTG Card versions
Surging Flame - MTG Card versions
Psychotic Fury - MTG Card versions
Sudden Shock - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Skullcrack. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Mono-Red BurnMono-Red Burn ModernMono-Red BurnModern Showcase Challenge 2024-04-13
Boros BurnBoros Burn ModernBoros Burn10 Torneio - 10 Liga Arena Guardians
Naya BurnNaya Burn Free formd00mwake's Pure Modern 5
Mardu BurnMardu Burn ModernMardu BurnModern Challenge 64 2024-04-15
BurnBurn ModernBoros Burn$10K RCQ - Modern - SCG CON Atlanta - Saturday - 9:00 am (Gold)
Azorius AggroAzorius Aggro ModernBoros Burn10 Torneio - 10 Liga Arena Guardians

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Though Skullcrack doesn’t directly allow for drawing additional cards, it ensures that the damage dealt cannot be prevented, offering a tactical advantage against decks that gain life to outpace you. This push through defensive barriers can disrupt opponent strategies, essentially rendering their life-gain spells and abilities moot for a turn.

Resource Acceleration: Skullcrack itself doesn’t provide resource acceleration in the form of mana or tokens. However, for a cost-effective rate of only two mana (one red, one generic), it offers an efficient use of resources. This low cost ensures that you can maintain pressure on your opponent without falling behind on your own board development.

Instant Speed: The power of Skullcrack lies in its instant-speed nature, allowing you to wait out your opponent’s moves before deciding the best moment to strike. Whether it’s in the middle of combat or in response to a life-gain spell, the flexibility it offers makes it a formidable card in your arsenal, often catching opponents off-guard and disrupting well-laid plans.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Skullcrack does not have a discard requirement, this is often cited as a drawback for many spells in the same category, as it can deplete your hand, especially in a fast-paced game.

Specific Mana Cost: Skullcrack demands a specific mana arrangement to cast—two generic and one red mana. This can sometimes be restrictive, primarily when operating in a multicolored deck that requires a flexible mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: In comparison to other direct damage spells, Skullcrack’s cost is significant for its inability to target creatures. This limitation means it’s less versatile when dealing with threats on the board, which might not justify the mana spent in certain gameplay scenarios.


Reasons to Include Skullcrack in Your Collection

Versatility: Skullcrack is a powerful spell that offers more than meets the eye. As an instant, it becomes a staple in red decks that aim to prevent opponents from gaining life. This flexibility to disrupt opponent strategies at a critical moment makes it a valuable tool for various match-ups.

Combo Potential: This card is an asset when combined with other damage-dealing spells to amplify their impact. It ensures that the inflicted damage can’t be negated by lifegain effects, solidifying your lead when you’re racing against an opponent’s life total.

Meta-Relevance: With life-gain strategies often found in the competitive scene, Skullcrack provides a check against these decks. Its relevance grows with the popularity of such tactics, making it an essential countermeasure and a prudent choice for players aiming to stay on top of the meta.


How to beat

Skullcrack is a powerful card in Magic: The Gathering, known for its direct damage and strategic advantage by preventing life gain and damage prevention during the turn it’s played. To effectively counter this card, consider playing instant-speed life gain spells outside of the turn when Skullcrack could be cast. Timing is everything; hold off on life gain abilities until your opponent is tapped out or when you’re sure Skullcrack isn’t in their hand. Another tactic is to focus on removing Skullcrack from the game through discard effects or counterspells before it can be used against you. Cards that grant hexproof to your player or perpetual life gain through enchantments can also diminish Skullcrack’s impact, as these provide a sustained advantage that the one-time spell can’t address.

Moreover, deck building that emphasizes resilience to direct damage can also render Skullcrack less potent. Prioritizing creatures with toughness greater than three and cards that provide incremental life boosts can outpace the damage dealt by Skullcrack. By creating a larger buffer for your life total and structuring your play to mitigate Skullcrack’s window of opportunity, you can gain the upper hand against decks that rely on such spells to pave their path to victory.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Skullcrack MTG card by a specific set like Gatecrash and Ravnica Remastered, 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 Skullcrack and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Skullcrack Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2013-02-01 and 2024-04-19. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12013-02-01GatecrashGTC 1062003NormalBlackDave Kendall
22024-01-12Ravnica RemasteredRVR 3411997NormalBlackDave Kendall
32024-01-12Ravnica RemasteredRVR 1252015NormalBlackDave Kendall
42024-04-19Breaking NewsOTP 272015NormalBorderlessMark A. Nelson

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Skullcrack has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2013-01-24 Effects that would replace gaining life with another effect won’t apply because it’s impossible for players to gain life.
2013-01-24 If an effect says to set a player’s life total to a certain number and that number is higher than the player’s current life total, that part of the effect won’t do anything. (If the number is lower than the player’s current life total, the effect will work as normal.)
2013-01-24 Skullcrack targets only the player. If that player is an illegal target when Skullcrack tries to resolve, it won’t resolve and none of its effects will happen.
2013-01-24 Spells and abilities that would cause a player to gain life or that would prevent damage still resolve, but the life-gain and damage-prevention parts have no effect.