Sky Diamond MTG Card
Card sets | Released in 12 setsSee all |
Mana cost | |
Converted mana cost | 2 |
Rarity | Uncommon |
Type | Artifact |
Text of card
Sky Diamond comes into play tapped. oc T: Add o U to your mana pool. Play this ability as a mana source.
Cards like Sky Diamond
Sky Diamond is a key piece in ramping up mana production for blue mage decks in Magic: The Gathering. A parallel can be drawn with Sapphire Medallion, as both cards serve to facilitate the casting of blue spells sooner than usual. However, Sky Diamond is an actual mana source, providing a blue mana each turn, while Sapphire Medallion reduces the cost of blue spells by one colorless mana. The nuanced difference in utility can have significant impacts on how a deck is constructed and played.
Fellow mana accelerant, Fellwar Stone also shares the spotlight, providing one mana of any color that a land an opponent controls could produce. Though its versatility is noted, the stone lacks the color certainty that Sky Diamond offers for blue-centric decks. Mind Stone, too, deserves a mention. It not only provides an additional mana but also serves a dual purpose by allowing you to draw a card upon its sacrifice for a slight mana investment.
All in all, the specific needs of a deck dictate the choice of mana acceleration. Sky Diamond, with its unwavering support for blue spells, is a solid inclusion for commanders seeking straightforward and reliable mana generation for their strategic plays.
Cards similar to Sky Diamond by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Sky Diamond offers a reliable source of mana which can indirectly contribute to card advantage. By having additional mana, you have the ability to cast more spells which can lead to gaining the upper hand over your opponent.
Resource Acceleration: This artifact shines in resource acceleration. By tapping for blue mana without any additional cost, it allows you to speed up your game by accessing mana resources beyond what your land drops provide.
Instant Speed: While Sky Diamond itself isn’t an instant, it facilitates playing at instant speed by ensuring that you have mana available to cast counterspells or activate abilities that could disrupt your opponent’s strategy during their turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Sky Diamond doesn’t directly ask for a card discard, it enters the battlefield tapped, essentially delaying your ability to utilize that mana until your next turn. This can be a significant setback when playing against faster, more aggressive decks seeking to capitalize on every turn.
Specific Mana Cost: Sky Diamond is locked into providing only blue mana. This can be restrictive for multi-colored decks that may demand a more flexible mana base to cast a variety of spells across different colors.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: When evaluating mana acceleration options, Sky Diamond can be less efficient. It costs two mana and doesn’t provide immediate value as it comes into play tapped. Other two-mana artifacts like “Fellwar Stone” or “Mind Stone” provide immediate mana or additional benefits, making them potentially more advantageous choices for a deck seeking quick ramp capabilities.
Reasons to Include Sky Diamond in Your Collection
Versatility: Sky Diamond is a card that seamlessly fits into blue-based decks, providing an essential mana boost. It’s a staple for any player looking to ramp up their mana resources, especially in formats where speed and efficiency are key to victory.
Combo Potential: As a mana rock capable of tapping for blue mana, Sky Diamond can be a critical piece in numerous artifact-related combos. It works well in engine decks that untap permanents or those that benefit from having a high count of non-land mana sources.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where blue spells dominate or control decks are prevalent, having Sky Diamond to expedite your game plan is invaluable. It ensures you’re able to keep pace with potentially faster decks and maintain a competitive edge. Its low casting cost makes it a practical choice in a variety of scenarios.
How to beat
Sky Diamond is an asset for players aiming to ramp up their mana in Magic: The Gathering, particularly in mono-blue decks. This artifact effortlessly taps for blue mana, making it an essential tool for casting influential spells ahead of schedule. While Sky Diamond enters the battlefield tapped, its subsequent contributions can be a game changer, supplying the crucial mana acceleration that blue players desire.
Overcoming the power of Sky Diamond requires a multi-faceted approach. It’s crucial to disable its mana generation capabilities swiftly. Direct artifact removal spells like Shatter, Disenchant, or Nature’s Claim are efficient ways to neutralize it. Cards that restrict artifact abilities, such as Collector Ouphe or Stony Silence, can also be effective in suppressing Sky Diamond’s influence on the game. Another tactic is to utilize artifact theft spells or abilities, turning your opponent’s advantage into your own. Overall, while Sky Diamond provides a significant strategic edge in mana ramping, tactical removal or control can mitigate its impact, maintaining the competitive balance.
In summary, tailored removal or control are key strategies when facing Sky Diamond on the battlefield. Recognizing and preparing for the card’s potential can greatly improve your chances of triumphing over deck’s that utilize this mana-accelerating artifact.
BurnMana Recommendations
Mastering your MTG gameplay involves understanding every card’s strengths and weaknesses. Sky Diamond, with its firm place in blue mana strategies, can be a game-changer in the right deck. Accelerating your mana and enabling instant-speed plays are critical tactics in the competitive arena. If you’re looking to optimize your mono-blue or blue-heavy decks, considering the inclusion of Sky Diamond could provide that incremental advantage you’re seeking. Dive deeper into the nuances of mana acceleration with us and unlock the full potential of your deck. Discover more strategic insights and tips to stay ahead of the curve in MTG.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Sky Diamond MTG card by a specific set like Mirage and Classic Sixth Edition, 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 Sky Diamond 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Sky Diamond Magic the Gathering card was released in 10 different sets between 1996-10-08 and 2022-06-10. Illustrated by 5 different artists.
# | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1996-10-08 | Mirage | MIR | 319 | 1997 | Normal | Black | D. Alexander Gregory | |
2 | 1999-04-21 | Classic Sixth Edition | 6ED | 311 | 1997 | Normal | White | D. Alexander Gregory | |
3 | 2000-08-02 | World Championship Decks 2000 | WC00 | tvdl311 | 1997 | Normal | Gold | D. Alexander Gregory | |
4 | 2001-04-11 | Seventh Edition | 7ED | 316 | 1997 | Normal | White | Tony Szczudlo | |
5 | 2001-04-11 | Seventh Edition | 7ED | 316★ | 1997 | Normal | Black | Tony Szczudlo | |
6 | 2014-11-07 | Commander 2014 | C14 | 269 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Lindsey Look | |
7 | 2020-11-20 | Commander Legends | CMR | 341 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Lindsey Look | |
8 | 2021-02-05 | Kaldheim Commander | KHC | 103 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Lindsey Look | |
9 | 2021-09-24 | Midnight Hunt Commander | MIC | 161 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Lindsey Look | |
10 | 2021-11-19 | Crimson Vow Commander | VOC | 167 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Lindsey Look | |
11 | 2022-06-10 | Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's Gate | CLB | 337 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Gaboleps | |
12 | 2022-06-10 | Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's Gate | CLB | 449 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Phil Stone |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Sky Diamond has restrictions
Format | Legality |
---|---|
Commander | Legal |
Legacy | Legal |
Paupercommander | Legal |
Oathbreaker | Legal |
Pauper | Legal |
Premodern | Legal |
Vintage | Legal |
Duel | Legal |
Predh | Legal |