Skyrider Trainee MTG Card
2005-08-22 - Number G6
2005-08-22 - Number G54
2006-02-03 - Number 17
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Human Soldier |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
Skyrider Trainee has flying as long as it's enchanted.
Cards like Skyrider Trainee
Skyrider Trainee is an intriguing creature card that finds its place amongst MTG’s roster of flying creatures. When comparing it to cards like Welkin Tern, both share the ability to fly, but Welkin Tern comes with restrictions on what it can block. Skyrider Trainee, free from such constraints, can still block creatures without flying when not boosted by a +1/+1 counter.
Another card worth mentioning in this breath is Wingsteed Rider. This card also grows under specific conditions, gaining +1/+1 counters as you cast spells that target it. While Skyrider Trainee requires any sort of counter for it to gain flying, Wingsteed Rider’s strength inherently relies on player actions rather than external effects. Lastly, Sunspire Griffin shows similarities, with a consistent flying ability but boasts higher base stats from the get-go.
Evaluating Skyrider Trainee against these peers, it holds a unique position where it can either be a flexible blocker or a potent flyer with the right interactions, highlighting its potential in deck-building scenarios focused on +1/+1 counters and flying tactics in MTG.
Cards similar to Skyrider Trainee by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Skyrider Trainee may seem simple at first glance, but it holds potential for card advantage in decks that focus on synergies with flying creatures or creature buffs. Once it gains flying, it could enable aerial assaults that are difficult for the opponent to block, effectively pressuring their life total every turn.
Resource Acceleration: While Skyrider Trainee itself doesn’t directly contribute to resource acceleration, it can be an efficient use of your mana. It fits perfectly into a curve, allowing you to allocate your resources effectively in the early to mid-game phases. In addition, its low casting cost means you can deploy other spells more easily while establishing your board presence.
Instant Speed: One of the nuances of using Skyrider Trainee optimally involves the many instant speed tricks available in MTG. Though the Trainee lacks the ability to act at instant speed on its own, it can benefit immensely from instant speed interactions such as combat tricks or flash enchantments that can provide a surprise flying ability and turn it into an immediate threat.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Skyrider Trainee demands a symphony of synergistic pieces to truly shine, often contingent upon discard mechanics or graft abilities. Without these specific elements present in your deck, the trainee’s full potential remains untapped, which might awkwardly clog your hand or battlefield during play.
Specific Mana Cost: A card whose mana cost calls for one white and one colorless may seem manageable, but in reality, this requirement carves out a niche for Skyrider Trainee mostly within mono-white or two-color decks. Those looking to cast a diverse range of spells across multiple colors might find the trainee’s mana insistence restrictive.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: For two mana, a player introduces Skyrider Trainee to the battlefield; however, in a metagame where efficiency is pivotal, this investment can be seen as steep, especially as the creature enters the fray without immediate impact. In a landscape rampant with lower-cost creatures brandishing intrinsic abilities, Skyrider Trainee’s mana cost challenges its aptitude for competitive play.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Skyrider Trainee presents an adaptable choice for deck builders. Its low cost makes it an early player on the board, and its flying ability allows it to soar over ground-based defenses. This card slots into strategies that seek to capitalize on creatures with flight or those that simply require a steadfast blocker with evasion.
Combo Potential: In decks that aim to manipulate +1/+1 counters or buffs, this unassuming creature transforms into a formidable force. Its synergy with cards that grant +1/+1 counters when certain conditions are met unlocks the potential for this trainee to rapidly ascend in power and toughness.
Meta-Relevance: With a consistent flux of creature-heavy decks shaping the competitive scene, having a steadfast flying defender often proves essential. Skyrider Trainee’s relevance grows in a meta with few reach or flying creatures, making it a strategic pick for players who anticipate battling against ground-centric opponents.
How to beat
Understanding how to tackle the Skyrider Trainee from Magic the Gathering is crucial in optimizing your gameplay. As a creature with the potential to become a potent flyer, Skyrider Trainee requires some strategic oversight. When it enters the battlefield without significant impact, it leaves a window for players to counteract its growth potential. Removal spells are your allies here. Instant speed spells like Shock or Fatal Push can dispatch the Trainee before it has a chance to soar with flying capabilities.
Even if the Trainee gains flying, it’s essential to keep your deck versatile. Cards that can deal with flying creatures, such as Plummet, or those that can neutralize any creature, regardless of abilities like Pacifism, can effectively neutralize the threat. With the right toolkit, Skyrider Trainee transitions from a looming threat to a manageable entity on the board.
Remember, timely disruption is often the key to maintaining control over the battlefield. Assessing your opponent’s synergies and predicting the point of evolution for Skyrider Trainee allows you to maintain the upper hand and ensure this card doesn’t tip the scales against you.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Skyrider Trainee MTG card by a specific set like Salvat 2005 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 Skyrider Trainee 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
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Printings
The Skyrider Trainee Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2005-08-22 and 2006-02-03. Illustrated by Adam Rex.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2005-08-22 | Salvat 2005 | PSAL | G6 | 2003 | Normal | White | Adam Rex | |
| 2 | 2005-08-22 | Salvat 2005 | PSAL | G54 | 2003 | Normal | White | Adam Rex | |
| 3 | 2006-02-03 | Guildpact | GPT | 17 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Adam Rex |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Skyrider Trainee has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |