Surgical Skullbomb MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Artifact |
| Released | 2023-02-03 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Phyrexia: All Will Be One |
| Set code | ONE |
| Number | 243 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Gaboleps |
Text of card
, Sacrifice Surgical Skullbomb: Draw a card. , Sacrifice Surgical Skullbomb: Return target creature to its owner's hand. Draw a card. Activate only as a sorcery.
It crackles with the intellect of a twisted genius.
Cards like Surgical Skullbomb
Surgical Skullbomb enters the fray in the category of utility artifacts in Magic: The Gathering, offering a niche yet potent ability. Comparatively, we can look at Executioner’s Capsule, which provides a similar single-use targeted destruction ability. However, whereas Executioner’s Capsule is restricted to destroying nonblack creatures, Surgical Skullbomb offers greater flexibility by potentially impacting any colored spell, albeit at the cost of additional mana investment.
Shifting gears to Nihil Spellbomb, players are given a one-shot graveyard exiling tool, akin to our focal artifact, but in contrast, Nihil Spellbomb’s remit is centered solely on graveyard interaction, not directly impeding a spell on the stack. Moreover, while both cantrips when their conditions are met, Surgical Skullbomb’s capacity to interrupt an opponent’s play lends it a unique position.
To summarize, while there are other one-off, inexpensive artifacts in Magic: The Gathering that boast abilities to regulate opponent’s plays, Surgical Skullbomb’s blend of disruptiveness and redraw capability situates it as a distinct option for players valuing versatility and tactical control within their decks.
Cards similar to Surgical Skullbomb by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Surgical Skullbomb. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Jeskai Midrange | Gladiator | Gladiator Games: We're Back | |
 | UG | Standard | Traditional Standard Ranked Decklists: February 26, 2024 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Surgical Skullbomb card offers the ability to manipulate both player’s graveyards, potentially providing you with a selection advantage and disrupting your opponent’s strategies. This can translate into card advantage as it may negate an opponent’s planned plays, effectively setting them back.
Resource Acceleration: Though not directly accelerating your mana resources, Surgical Skullbomb can impact resource acceleration by selectively removing key cards from play that your opponent needs to execute their strategy, slowing down their game pace and giving you an edge in resource competition.
Instant Speed: The flexibility of Surgical Skullbomb being an instant vastly enhances its strategic value. You can respond to threats immediately, disrupt your opponent’s combo on their turn or right before they could utilize a graveyard-based effect, providing a significant tactical benefit.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Surgical Skullbomb can be a powerful addition to your strategy, it comes with the drawback of requiring players to discard a card upon activation. This condition can be especially cumbersome when a player’s hand is already dwindling, forcing tough decisions about resource management.
Specific Mana Cost: The card demands a precise mana allocation, specifically one black mana. This requirement may restrict the card’s flexibility, making it a less favorable option for multi-color decks that might struggle to consistently produce the necessary black mana.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Even for the potential disruption it brings to an opponent, Surgical Skullbomb entails a considerable mana investment relative to other available cards in MTG. With a total cost higher than some of its alternatives, players often debate its efficiency when optimizing their deck’s mana curve and overall strategy.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Surgical Skullbomb offers a unique blend of disruption and card draw that can be slotted into a variety of strategies. With its ability to remove specific threats from the game, it’s a versatile tool against graveyard-based decks or to preemptively deal with key combo pieces.
Combo Potential: This card opens up new avenues for combos, especially in decks that capitalize on sacrifice effects or spells that track the number of cards put into an opponent’s graveyard. Its synergy with cards that care about artifacts can also be a game-changer in the right build.
Meta-Relevance: Given its capacity to disrupt an opponent’s strategy, Surgical Skullbomb could become a staple in sideboards or even main decks if the current meta is dominated by strategies that rely heavily on specific cards or graveyard recursion. Being prepared to counter these tactics can give players a significant edge in competitive play.
How to beat
Surgical Skullbomb is a card that catches seasoned MTG players’ attention. Known for its unique ability to dismantle graveyard strategies, its strength lies in interrupting combos and recurring tactics. Preventing its impact requires strategic foresight. One approach is to use cards that grant hexproof to your graveyard, such as Silent Gravestone or cards that reshuffle your graveyard into your library, like Perpetual Timepiece.
Another method is to rely less on the graveyard and focus on a strategy that isn’t as vulnerable to disruption by graveyard exile effects. Cards and strategies that provide you control over your own graveyard are also crucial. For instance, controlling when and how cards are put into the graveyard can mitigate the damage done by Surgical Skullbomb. Running instant-speed responses like Tormod’s Crypt can remove key cards from your graveyard before Surgical Skullbomb gets a chance to work.
Understanding the nuances of Surgical Skullbomb helps players craft responses and adapt their strategies. MTG is a game of constant adjustment, and knowing how to navigate around potent cards like Surgical Skullbomb is essential for maintaining an edge in the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Surgical Skullbomb MTG card by a specific set like Phyrexia: All Will Be One, 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 Surgical Skullbomb 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
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Surgical Skullbomb has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Alchemy | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Surgical Skullbomb card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2023-02-04 | If the target of Surgical Skullbomb's last ability isn't a legal target as the ability tries to resolve (probably because it has left the battlefield), you won't draw a card. |