Skullport Merchant MTG Card


Provides consistent card draw by sacrificing creatures or Treasure tokens for a strategic advantage. Ramps mana and fuels high-impact plays by generating Treasure tokens, crucial for deck versatility. Instant speed Treasure sacrifice offers mana flexibility, vital in responding to opponents’ actions.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Dwarf Citizen
Abilities Treasure
Power 1
Toughness 4

Text of card

When Skullport Merchant enters the battlefield, create a Treasure token. (It's an artifact with ", Sacrifice this artifact: Add one mana of any color.") , Sacrifice another creature or a Treasure: Draw a card.

"Buy something or get out."


Cards like Skullport Merchant

In the compelling universe of MTG, Skullport Merchant carves its niche as a versatile creature with inherent value. It’s akin to cards like Prosperous Innkeeper and Ilysian Caryatid, which both share the common thread of mana acceleration and resource generation. However, Skullport Merchant goes a step further by not only producing Treasure tokens that can be sacrificed for any color mana but also allowing you to draw a card by sacrificing another creature or a Treasure itself, an ability absent in the aforementioned cards.

Additionally, we can draw parallels between Skullport Merchant and cards like Gleaming Barrier and Pitiless Plunderer. While Gleaming Barrier creates a Treasure token upon its demise, this process is involuntary, unlike the proactive option that Skullport Merchant offers. Pitiless Plunderer also thrives on the death of creatures to spawn Treasure tokens but lacks the Merchant’s ability to affect the board by drawing cards.

Hence, considering the multitude of strategies that Skullport Merchant supports, from ramping up mana to providing card draw and board influence, it indeed holds a unique position, particularly within decks that capitalize on sacrificing tokens and creatures for greater advantage.

Prosperous Innkeeper - MTG Card versions
Ilysian Caryatid - MTG Card versions
Gleaming Barrier - MTG Card versions
Pitiless Plunderer - MTG Card versions
Prosperous Innkeeper - MTG Card versions
Ilysian Caryatid - MTG Card versions
Gleaming Barrier - MTG Card versions
Pitiless Plunderer - MTG Card versions

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Card Pros

Card Advantage: Skullport Merchant enhances your hand by providing a steady flow of card advantage. With its ability to sacrifice other creatures or Treasure tokens to draw cards, it ensures you’re never falling behind in resources.

Resource Acceleration: This creature not only adds depth to your board but also ramps up your resources. By generating a Treasure token upon entering the battlefield and potentially more with its activated ability, Skullport Merchant can be a reliable source of mana and can pave the way for high-impact plays in subsequent turns.

Instant Speed: While Skullport Merchant itself is not an instant, it can create Treasure tokens which can be sacrificed at instant speed, giving you access to mana at critical moments. Additionally, its ability to draw cards can be utilized at the end of your opponent’s turn, making sure you’re always prepared for what’s to come.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Skullport Merchant necessitates an extra resource in the form of a sacrificed creature to draw a card, which could be a steep price when you’re aiming for board presence.

Specific Mana Cost: This merchant demands a precise blend of mana, including one black, potentially restricting it to specific deck archetypes and limiting its universality.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three, including a black mana, it competes with numerous other cards that could provide immediate impact on the game, making it a potentially slower option for your curve.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Skullport Merchant fits seamlessly into various decks that crave an enduring board presence and steady resource generation. Its ability to create Treasure tokens while providing a respectable body on the battlefield allows it to perform multiple roles within a single card slot.

Combo Potential: With the capability to sacrifice other creatures or Treasures for card draw, Skullport Merchant can integrate into combos that capitalize on such mechanics. It acts as an engine in strategies that exploit death triggers or builds that amass and utilize Treasures for explosive plays.

Meta-Relevance: Given the importance of flexible and efficient cards in today’s metagame, Skullport Merchant’s role can be pivotal in gaining an edge over opponents. Its intrinsic value in trade and sacrifice strategies makes it a worthy addition to decks that aim to outpace and out resource competitors in a variety of gaming environments.


How to Beat Skullport Merchant

In the realm of Magic: The Gathering, Skullport Merchant serves as a versatile tool for any player looking to bolster their board presence with additional resources. As an Adventure into the Forgotten Realms standout, it’s become a staple in decks that capitalize on utilizing Treasure tokens. The ability to create a creature and ramp up mana can be quite the challenge to dispatch. But, how does one navigate this resourceful adversary?

To effectively counter Skullport Merchant, consider employing removal spells that can bypass the potential token fodder. Direct damage spells or exile effects prevent the Merchant from establishing its token economy. Moreover, tackling the card at the source by nullifying creature abilities can stave off its Treasure production, diluting its impact. Magic: The Gathering is replete with such strategies, but implementing them at the opportune moment against Skullport Merchant is key. Disruption tactics, like counter spells or hand disruption, can prevent this card from hitting the battlefield at all.

Once Skullport Merchant makes its way onto the field, adapt your strategy to limit its influence. Focusing on these aspects ensures that the benefit Skullport Merchant extends to your opponent is kept in check, allowing you to regain board control swiftly.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering the dynamics of MTG is as much about understanding your cards as it is about outwitting your opponent. Skullport Merchant is a prime example of a card that can substantially tilt the balance in your favor. Providing resource acceleration, card advantage, and flexibility in response time, this card is a compelling consideration for players refining their decks. But remember, every card has its context. Interested in nuanced strategies that elevate Skullport Merchant beyond just another creature? Eager to explore its full potential in both casual play and competitive scenes? We welcome you to dive deeper into the art of deckbuilding with us and discover how to optimize your game through strategic card choices.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Skullport Merchant MTG card by a specific set like Adventures in the Forgotten Realms and Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's Gate, 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 Skullport Merchant and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Skullport Merchant Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2021-07-23 and 2022-07-07. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12021-07-23Adventures in the Forgotten RealmsAFR 1202015NormalBlackAaron Miller
22022-06-10Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's GateCLB 1492015NormalBlackTomek Larek
32022-07-07Alchemy Horizons: Baldur's GateHBG 1692015NormalBlackTomek Larek

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Skullport Merchant has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
TimelessLegal