Skyship Plunderer MTG Card
2017-01-20 - Number 46
2020-11-12 - Number 67
2022-04-29 - Number 232
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Human Pirate |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
Flying Whenever Skyship Plunderer deals combat damage to a player, for each kind of counter on target permanent or player, give that permanent or player another counter of that kind.
Escapes should always be daring.
Cards like Skyship Plunderer
The appeal of Skyship Plunderer lies in its potential to manipulate and proliferate counters within the game. Aether Theorist provides a similar function, offering the ability to scry and manage energy counters, although without the aggressive stance of the Plunderer. Where Skyship Plunderer shines is in its synergy with +1/+1 counters and its capacity to accelerate the strength of your creatures in comparison.
Another counterpart, Thrummingbird, shares the proliferate ability, essentially doubling the effectiveness of any type of counter. However, it demands a combat connection to trigger. In contrast, Skyship Plunderer requires only dealing combat damage to a player, making it slightly easier to achieve its effect. Compared to the Plunderer’s versatility in affecting any kind of counter, Thrummingbird is a more moderate choice for focused proliferate strategies.
In the grand scheme, Skyship Plunderer holds its ground as a versatile and aggressive option in decks that favor counter manipulation, offering a broader range of strategic applications while still enabling powerful proliferate interactions reminiscent of cards like Thrummingbird.
Cards similar to Skyship Plunderer by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Skyship Plunderer provides a unique interaction with +1/+1 counters, potentially generating card advantage by enhancing the effects of other cards that utilize counters.
Resource Acceleration: By increasing the number of counters on your permanents, this card can indirectly speed up resource accumulation, particularly with artifacts and creatures that generate benefits based on those counters.
Instant Speed: Although the card itself isn’t an instant, Skyship Plunderer enables instant speed benefits by interacting with and elevating cards that have abilities which can be activated at instant speed during your turn or even on your opponent’s turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: For players looking to maximize card advantage, Skyship Plunderer can be underwhelming. While it doesn’t directly require a discard, its ability doesn’t compensate for card loss as effectively as other options might, making each card you do discard feel like a heavier cost when your board isn’t optimized for energy counters.
Specific Mana Cost: Skyship Plunderer demands a precise mana arrangement of one blue and one generic mana. This requirement can be restrictive for multi-color decks that might struggle with mana consistency, potentially making it a less viable option outside of dedicated blue-based decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: In the competitive landscape, two mana for a 2/1 flyer with a conditional upside might not stack up efficiently against the curve. When compared to other two-drops in MTG, Skyship Plunderer’s impact on the board can be considered less substantial, especially in fast-paced games where mana efficiency is key.
Reasons to Include Skyship Plunderer in Your Collection
Versatility: Skyship Plunderer offers a flexible role in decks, fitting seamlessly into strategies that capitalize on +1/+1 counters and energy counters. This flyer can be a subtle yet effective enabler in a variety of blue-oriented builds.
Combo Potential: With its ability to proliferate counters on other permanents, Skyship Plunderer has synergy with cards that thrive on accumulation of those markers. It can turn a modest board state into a threatening one by enhancing creatures, artifacts, and even players with additional counters.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta that favors incremental advantages and synergistic interactions, Skyship Plunderer can be an under-the-radar contributor that tips scales in your favor. Its low casting cost and flying make it a relevant player in games that evolve beyond the early turns.
How to beat
The cunning Skyship Plunderer poses a unique challenge on the battlefield. This resilient creature from Magic: The Gathering stands out with its ability to boost other permanents you control by adding an additional counter of a kind already there, whenever it deals combat damage to a player. This incremental advantage can quickly escalate, making it essential to understand how to neutralize the Plunderer effectively.
To counteract the Skyship Plunderer’s abilities, consider employing instant-speed removal spells before the damage phase, such as Fatal Push or Path to Exile. These preemptive strikes can take the Plunderer off the board before it begins to accumulate advantage. Additionally, prioritize blockers with flying or reach that can prevent the Plunderer from striking and thus inhibit its counter-adding capability. Should you be managing a control deck, counterspells can also be a solid line of defense. Cards like Counterspell or Essence Scatter can intercept the Plunderer upon casting, ensuring it never threatens your game plan.
Remember, recognizing the key moment to disrupt your opponent’s strategy with Skyship Plunderer is crucial and can save you from being overwhelmed by the perpetual growth of their army. Your ability to be one step ahead will often secure your victory against this aerial adversary.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Skyship Plunderer MTG card by a specific set like Aether Revolt and Kaladesh Remastered, 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 Skyship Plunderer 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
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Printings
The Skyship Plunderer Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2017-01-20 and 2022-04-29. Illustrated by Slawomir Maniak.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2017-01-20 | Aether Revolt | AER | 46 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Slawomir Maniak | |
| 2 | 2020-11-12 | Kaladesh Remastered | KLR | 67 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Slawomir Maniak | |
| 3 | 2022-04-29 | New Capenna Commander | NCC | 232 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Slawomir Maniak |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Skyship Plunderer has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Skyship Plunderer card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2017-02-09 | Skyship Plunderer's triggered ability can target any permanent or player, regardless of which player was dealt combat damage. |
| 2017-02-09 | Skyship Plunderer's triggered ability gives only one counter of each kind. It doesn't double the number of each kind of counter. For example, if a creature has two +1/+1 counters and a charge counter on it, it gets one +1/+1 counter and one charge counter. |
| 2017-02-09 | To give a counter is to put a counter on a permanent or to have a player get a counter. Effects that interact with a player getting counters or counters being placed on permanents interact with Skyship Plunderer's triggered ability. |