Skyswimmer Koi MTG Card
2022-02-18 - Number 79
2022-02-18 - Number 3
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Fish |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
Flying Whenever an artifact enters the battlefield under your control, you may draw a card. If you do, discard a card.
Once they swam alone among the clouds, but now the people of Kamigawa have built high enough to reach them.
Cards like Skyswimmer Koi
Skyswimmer Koi has found its niche within the world of Magic: The Gathering as a dynamic creature card that offers strategic advantages to the player. Its ability to manipulate library draws by leveraging its flying characteristic has echoes with cards such as Augury Owl, which also allows for library manipulation. However, Skyswimmer Koi’s activated ability enables repeated use, granting more control over upcoming draws compared to the one-time effect offered by Augury Owl during its entry to the battlefield.
Another aircraft in this category is Thieving Magpie. Though it has a higher casting cost than Skyswimmer Koi, it offers the potential for card advantage by drawing a card whenever it deals damage to an opponent. In a similar vein but with a twisted advantage is Faerie Vandal, which essentially grows stronger each time you draw your second card each turn while soaring on its wings. It does not offer the card selection that Skyswimmer Koi does, but could potentially do more damage over time.
While pondering on which card would best serve a flying-focused deck, Skyswimmer Koi stands out for its consistent, player-controlled library sifting, ensuring that quality cards are more likely to be drawn when they are most needed.
Cards similar to Skyswimmer Koi by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Skyswimmer Koi’s ability to draw a card whenever it attacks ensures a steady stream of card advantage. This helps you keep your hand filled with options, essential for outmaneuvering your opponent.
Resource Acceleration: As a low-cost creature, Skyswimmer Koi can hit the battlefield early, allowing you to start pulling ahead while conserving resources for larger threats or critical spells later in the game.
Instant Speed: Capable of being flashed in at instant speed, Skyswimmer Koi provides strategic flexibility. You can surprise an attacker, present an unexpected blocker, or simply opt for an end-of-turn play, keeping your mana and options open throughout your opponent’s turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Skyswimmer Koi comes with a discard prerequisite to trigger its flying ability. This can hinder your hand if you’re already managing limited card options, potentially setting you back as you sacrifice valuable resources.
Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a particular blend of mana, including blue, to cast. Its color-specificity means it fits primarily in decks that can consistently produce blue mana, potentially excluding it from a wider range of strategies that can’t accommodate such requirements.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: When weighing the cost against its benefits, Skyswimmer Koi has a relatively steep mana investment for its stats and abilities. Other creatures in the game may offer more impactful abilities or better stats for a similar or lower cost, leading players to consider alternative options for their deck builds.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Skyswimmer Koi shines in a broad range of blue-centric decks, serving both as a reliable blocker in early game and as a potential card draw engine later on. Its adaptability stems from its flying capability and scalable card drawing effect.
Combo Potential: This card boasts strong synergies with strategies that exploit draw triggers or look to amass a substantial hand size. It can be a linchpin for decks that capitalize on drawing multiple cards per turn.
Meta-Relevance: Given the right deck configuration, Skyswimmer Koi can be a formidable asset against a variety of opposing strategies. As it can consistently fuel a player’s hand, it maintains relevance in metagames that value card advantage and tempo.
How to beat
Skyswimmer Koi brings a different dynamic to MTG with its flying and formidable late-game presence. When adapting your strategy to counter this card, consider disabling its ability to capitalize on cards in hand. This could involve minimizing card draw or using hand disruption techniques to reduce the Koi’s power boost. For example, cards such as Thoughtseize or Duress can effectively remove key cards from an opponent’s hand, importantly limiting the strength of their Skyswimmer Koi on the board.
It is also highly advisable to keep removal spells in reserve for dealing with this creature. Direct removal spells like Murder or Fatal Push can offer a quick solution to an escalating Koi threat. Alternatively, if you’re able to control the battlefield and keep the number of cards in your opponent’s hand low, the Koi’s impact is considerably weakened, making it more of a manageable nuisance rather than an insurmountable obstacle.
In essence, with a mix of hand disruption and strategic removal, you’ll reduce the influence of Skyswimmer Koi and maintain board control. Recognizing the pivotal moments to cripple its advantages will be key in winning your matchup against decks that wield this powerful fish.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Skyswimmer Koi // Skyswimmer Koi MTG card by a specific set like Neon Dynasty Art Series and Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty, 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 Skyswimmer Koi // Skyswimmer Koi and other MTG cards:
BUY NOW BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
- 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 Skyswimmer Koi // Skyswimmer Koi Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2022-02-18 and 2022-02-18. Illustrated by Donato Giancola.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Neon Dynasty Art Series | ANEO | 3 | 2015 | Art series | Borderless | Donato Giancola | ||
| 2 | 2022-02-18 | Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty | NEO | 79 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Donato Giancola |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Skyswimmer Koi has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |