Sultai Skullkeeper MTG Card
2015-01-23 - Number 53
2018-12-07 - Number 75
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Naga Shaman |
| Abilities | Mill |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
When Sultai Skullkeeper enters the battlefield, put the top two cards of your library into your graveyard.
A skullkeeper is the first to arrive after the palace archers strike down intruders, probing their brains for choice bits of knowledge.
Cards like Sultai Skullkeeper
Sultai Skullkeeper has found its niche as a useful card for self-mill strategies in Magic: The Gathering. This creature card is akin to Merfolk Secretkeeper, which offers the same mill of two cards to its controller’s graveyard. The distinction with Sultai Skullkeeper, however, is in its deployment as once it lands on the battlefield, the milling effect occurs instantly without an additional cost, whereas Merfolk Secretkeeper requires an additional mana investment for its Adventure to take effect.
Another comparable card is Satyr Wayfinder, which not only mills four cards but also allows you to put a land card from among them into your hand, providing a slight edge in terms of card advantage and mana fixing. Sultai Skullkeeper, nevertheless, offers a more aggressive body on the field. Beyond this is Stitcher’s Supplier, which mills three cards upon entering and also when it dies, potentially offering a greater total mill effect for decks focusing on graveyard synergy and recursion tactics.
Each of these cards has its place in decks that capitalize on filling the graveyard rapidly, but Sultai Skullkeeper blends immediate mill with a more combat-worthy creature – a combination that can be quite effective in the right deck builds.
Cards similar to Sultai Skullkeeper by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Sultai Skullkeeper features a highly beneficial enter-the-battlefield effect that enables you to mill the top two cards of your library. This not only fuels graveyard strategies but can also set you up for future plays. In formats where graveyard manipulation is key, this can provide a significant tactical edge.
Resource Acceleration: For decks running delve abilities or any mechanics that utilize the graveyard, such as threshold or flashback, Sultai Skullkeeper effectively lowers future spell costs by increasing the number of cards in your graveyard. This acceleration is subtle yet pivotal in constructing a strong mana economy for mid to late-game dominance.
Instant Speed: While Sultai Skullkeeper itself is not an instant, it encompasses synergies with cards that can be activated at instant speed. For example, if a player has accompanying cards that capitalize on cards entering the graveyard, Sultai Skullkeeper can serve as an enabler for these interactions, creating unexpected combos and disrupting opponents during their turns.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Sultai Skullkeeper effect that mills upon entering the battlefield can be a double-edged sword. For players not utilizing graveyard strategies, this may result in discarding high-value cards that could be crucial for later stages of the game. It could also inadvertently aid opponents that benefit from having cards in their graveyard.
Specific Mana Cost: This card requires a precise combination of one blue and one generic mana. Deck builders who play Sultai colors may find the mana cost restrictive when considering the smoother mana curve of a multicolor deck. The need to have blue mana available can be a hindrance in the early game where mana flexibility is vital.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: For a two-mana investment, the Sultai Skullkeeper offers a 2/1 body and a mill effect. In a game where board presence and immediate impact are critical, there are alternative low-cost creatures or spells that could provide more strategic advantages or efficient milling capabilities. Additionally, its stats make it vulnerable to common removal spells, which could offset its initial milling benefit.
Reasons to Include Sultai Skullkeeper in Your Collection
Versatility: The Sultai Skullkeeper is a solid addition to many decks, particularly those harnessing the power of the graveyard. Its ability to self-mill can populate the graveyard with potential resources for various delve, reanimate, or flashback strategies.
Combo Potential: When Sultai Skullkeeper enters the battlefield, it enables setups for combo plays. It can work to your advantage in conjunction with cards that thrive on a well-stocked graveyard, helping unleash powerful combos.
Meta-Relevance: With graveyard-based strategies often making waves in the meta, Sultai Skullkeeper keeps a deck agile and competitive. Its easy inclusion in Sultai-themed decks and synergy with prevalent graveyard mechanics make it a valuable player in various formats where the meta allows for such tactics.
How to Beat Sultai Skullkeeper
Sultai Skullkeeper has positioned itself as a notable player in the realm of self-mill strategies within Magic: The Gathering. It acts as a speed bump against aggressive decks while also enhancing graveyard synergies. Upon entering the battlefield, its ability to mill the top two cards of your library can fuel strategies reliant on the graveyard, similar to cards like Satyr Wayfinder in providing fuel for delve or reanimation tactics.
Countering this skull-obsessed creature requires a strategic approach focused on graveyard disruption. Cards like Tormod’s Crypt or Relic of Progenitus serve well by exiling the cards Sultai Skullkeeper sends to the graveyard, thus nullifying potential advantages your opponent might gain. Additionally, giving no quarter to graveyard-based synergies by employing instant-speed removal like Fatal Push ensures that creatures leveraging the graveyard don’t linger on the board. Swift removal disrupts strategies that hinge on the presence of specific creature cards in the graveyard.
Direct responses aside, deploying evasive or high-toughness creatures can outlast the Skullkeeper’s limited presence on the board. Ultimately, recognizing your opponent’s strategy and dismantling their graveyard mechanics is key to gaining the upper hand when facing the tactical depth Sultai Skullkeeper brings to a match.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Sultai Skullkeeper MTG card by a specific set like Fate Reforged and Ultimate Masters, 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 Sultai Skullkeeper 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 Sultai Skullkeeper Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2015-01-23 and 2018-12-07. Illustrated by Ryan Barger.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2015-01-23 | Fate Reforged | FRF | 53 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Ryan Barger | |
| 2 | 2018-12-07 | Ultimate Masters | UMA | 75 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Ryan Barger |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Sultai Skullkeeper has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |