Skymark Roc MTG Card
2012-10-05 - Number 196
2019-02-15 - Number 20
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Bird |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
Flying Whenever Skymark Roc attacks, you may return target creature defending player controls with toughness 2 or less to its owner's hand.
"Try not to look guilty. Or delicious." —Thorpe, street urchin
Cards like Skymark Roc
Skymark Roc stands out in the realm of flying creatures within Magic: The Gathering. It shares the skies with cards like Aven Surveyor which also presents a flying ability and affects the battlefield by bouncing an opponent’s creature. However, Skymark Roc brings a strategic advantage by allowing you to target an opponent’s tapped creature every time you attack with a flying creature, ensuring consistent board control while Aven Surveyor’s effect is a one-time deal.
Glaring Spotlight is another card that dances around board interaction, but instead of using creatures, it focuses on granting your creatures the ability to be unblockable by hexproof or protected creatures for a turn. While this doesn’t directly influence the board state like Skymark Roc’s ability to bounce creatures, it can set up potential for unblockable lethal attacks. Yet, Skymark Roc’s ability to manipulate opponents’ creatures turn after turn offers a different type of tactical advantage.
Ultimately, Skymark Roc delivers a unique blend of aerial presence and tactical creature control. When compared to peers like Aven Surveyor and Glaring Spotlight, it maintains a distinct role, offering MTG players a powerful card that can influence the matchup in their favor over the course of a game.
Cards similar to Skymark Roc by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: With Skymark Roc, each time you attack with it, you’re potentially bouncing an opponent’s creature back to their hand. This not only disrupts your opponent’s board presence but effectively makes your attack phase a double threat—attacking and removing field obstacles at the same time.
Resource Acceleration: Although Skymark Roc itself doesn’t directly increase your mana resources, it can be pivotal in resource acceleration by clearing the way for your mana dorks or other creatures that enhance your mana base to attack without obstruction or to be used efficiently without the risk of running into enemy creatures.
Instant Speed: While Skymark Roc isn’t an instant spell, its ability acts at the speed of combat. As soon as you declare Roc as an attacker, you can target a creature to return to its owner’s hand, applying immediate pressure during the combat phase which can be as strategically valuable as instant-speed interaction in managing opponents’ threats.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Skymark Roc requires you to return a creature you control to your hand when it enters the battlefield. This could set you back, especially if your board presence is critical to your strategy.
Specific Mana Cost: Skymark Roc demands a particular combination of mana, including white and blue. This cost restricts it primarily to Azorius decks, potentially limiting its versatility across various deck types.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that includes two specific mana types and a total cost of four, Skymark Roc can be considered costly for its effects, particularly when there are other flying creatures with beneficial abilities at a lower cost threshold.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Skymark Roc offers a unique blend of aerial control and board presence, making it a solid fit for decks that capitalize on flying creatures or those that need ways to manipulate opponents’ battlefields.
Combo Potential: With the ability to return creatures to an opponent’s hand whenever it attacks with another flying creature, Skymark Roc can be part of synergistic plays that exploit enter the battlefield effects or disrupt enemy plans.
Meta-Relevance: In a game state where agile decks are dominant, Skymark Roc finds its place by providing consistent pressure in the skies and limiting opponent setups, making it a relevant choice for decks that aim to keep the tempo.
How to beat
Skymark Roc is a formidable flyer in MTG that commands the skies with not just its ability to soar over ground defenses but also its capability to disrupt your opponent’s battlefield presence. Navigating around Skymark Roc’s aggressive board control requires strategic planning. To nullify its impact, consider prioritizing the removal of flying creatures. Spells like Doom Blade or Murder can be pivotal as they offer a clean and efficient way to eliminate this threat without having to engage in unfavorable aerial combat.
Another angle to consider is keeping your creature count high. Skymark Roc thrives in a setting where it can repeatedly trigger its ability, bouncing your creatures back to your hand. By maintaining a diverse array of creatures on the board, you force the Skymark Roc’s controller to make tough decisions on which creature to target, thereby diluting its effect.
Lastly, creatures with the reach ability or those that can block flying creatures, such as Giant Spider, serve as excellent counters. Not only do they provide a defensive bulwark but they also stand ready to take down Skymark Roc if it dares to attack. Understanding these tactics can turn the tide against Skymark Roc, turning a powerful opponent into a manageable one.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Skymark Roc MTG card by a specific set like Return to Ravnica and RNA Guild Kit, 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 Skymark Roc 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 Skymark Roc Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2012-10-05 and 2019-02-15. Illustrated by Christopher Moeller.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2012-10-05 | Return to Ravnica | RTR | 196 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Christopher Moeller | |
| 2 | 2019-02-15 | RNA Guild Kit | GK2 | 20 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Christopher Moeller |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Skymark Roc has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |