Skyhunter Patrol MTG Card
2003-10-02 - Number 22
2005-08-22 - Number L54
2005-08-22 - Number L19
2007-07-13 - Number 41★
2007-07-13 - Number 41
2011-04-01 - Number 19
2022-12-02 - Number 245
| Card sets | Released in 7 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Cat Knight |
| Abilities | First strike,Flying |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
Flying, first strike
"They are the first to raise the alarm when the levelers attack, and the first to risk their lives to defend the pride." —Raksha Golden Cub, leonin kha
Cards like Skyhunter Patrol
Skyhunter Patrol is a versatile creature within Magic the Gathering’s vast library of cards. With its flying and first strike abilities, it shares some similarities with other White creatures such as the Concordia Pegasus and Aven Skirmisher. While the Concordia Pegasus also has flying, it does not have the first strike ability, making the Skyhunter Patrol a more formidable option in combat.
Another card worth comparing is the Elite Inquisitor. Like Skyhunter Patrol, the Elite Inquisitor enjoys first strike, and it comes with additional protections against Vampires, Werewolves, and Zombies. However, this increase in defensive prowess comes with a slight bump in the mana cost. There’s also the Gustcloak Savior, which offers a unique mechanic that allows you to untap creatures and remove them from combat, providing a different strategic angle compared to the straightforward combat benefits of Skyhunter Patrol.
Evaluating Skyhunter Patrol alongside its peers, it stands out due to its balanced offensive and defensive capabilities. It’s a solid card for players looking to elevate their game with a cost-efficient creature that can take control of the skies and strike down adversaries swiftly.
Cards similar to Skyhunter Patrol by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Skyhunter Patrol helps maintain your battlefield presence by offering a solid flying creature. Its ability to stay above ground-based blockers gives you an advantage in both offense and defense, often necessitating an answer from your opponent and potentially costing them card resources.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly impacting mana resources, Skyhunter Patrol synergizes well with equipment and aura cards that could provide resource acceleration. Pairing it with cards that tap for mana or cards that trigger upon attacking can indirectly speed up your resource growth.
Instant Speed: Despite not being an instant itself, Skyhunter Patrol benefits from instant-speed spells that could protect it or disrupt your opponent’s strategies. Its keyword ‘Flying’ lets it stay a consistent threat, compelling opponents to leave mana open or reserve combat tricks, which can put you at an advantage.
Card Cons
Specific Mana Cost: Skyhunter Patrol needs both white mana symbols in its casting cost, restricting its seamless addition to multicolored decks without adequate white mana sources.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost of four for a 2/2 flyer, Skyhunter Patrol’s cost-effectiveness is debatable, especially when compared with other creatures at the same cost that offer additional abilities or stronger stats.
Discard Requirement: While Skyhunter Patrol doesn’t have a discard requirement itself, its higher mana demand may pressure hand resources, potentially leading to earlier discards to maintain board presence or reach vital lands.
Reasons to Include Skyhunter Patrol in Your Collection
Versatility: Skyhunter Patrol is a card that can be seamlessly integrated into various white-based decks, particularly those that rely on flying creatures to evade ground blockers and press an aerial advantage.
Combo Potential: As a creature with flying and first strike, the Patrol can be paired with equipment or auras that amplify its combat abilities, making it a formidable threat in combination-focused archetypes.
Meta-Relevance: With flying being a relevant evasion ability in many metas, the Patrol has the potential to shine in environments where it can consistently connect with opponents, maintain board presence, and dodge common sorcery-speed removal.
How to beat
Skyhunter Patrol is a recognizable creature in the realm of MTG, valued by players for its flying and first strike abilities. Having the power to attack from above and handle combat with the advantage of hitting first makes it a strategic piece on the battlefield. However, there are ways to counter this white-aligned card. Focus on spells that target flying creatures or utilise creatures with reach to deter it. Cards like Plummet are specifically designed to handle flying threats.
Another tactic is to employ board wipes that clear multiple creatures, bypassing the Patrol’s first strike ability—think Day of Judgment or Wrath of God, which equally affect all creatures regardless of abilities. Alternatively, making Skyhunter Patrol lose flying through spells like Gravity Well can ground it, making it vulnerable to common combat. Implement removal spells that can bypass its combat advantages, such as Doom Blade or Path to Exile, ensuring that the card doesn’t stay on the field long enough to pose a significant threat.
Harnessing such counters effectively reduces the impact of Skyhunter Patrol on the game, allowing you to maintain control and push towards victory despite its presence.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Skyhunter Patrol MTG card by a specific set like Mirrodin and Salvat 2005, 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 Skyhunter Patrol 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 Skyhunter Patrol Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2003-10-02 and 2022-12-02. Illustrated by Matt Cavotta.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2003-10-02 | Mirrodin | MRD | 22 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Matt Cavotta | |
| 2 | 2005-08-22 | Salvat 2005 | PSAL | L54 | 2003 | Normal | White | Matt Cavotta | |
| 3 | 2005-08-22 | Salvat 2005 | PSAL | L19 | 2003 | Normal | White | Matt Cavotta | |
| 4 | 2007-07-13 | Tenth Edition | 10E | 41★ | 2003 | Normal | Black | Matt Cavotta | |
| 5 | 2007-07-13 | Tenth Edition | 10E | 41 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Matt Cavotta | |
| 6 | 2011-04-01 | Duel Decks: Knights vs. Dragons | DDG | 19 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Matt Cavotta | |
| 7 | 2022-12-02 | Jumpstart 2022 | J22 | 245 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Matt Cavotta |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Skyhunter Patrol has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |