Tilonalli's Skinshifter MTG Card
2017-09-29 - Number 170s
2017-09-29 - Number 170
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Human Shaman |
| Abilities | Haste |
| Power | 0 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
Haste Whenever Tilonalli's Skinshifter attacks, it becomes a copy of another target nonlegendary attacking creature until end of turn.
"I am the ferocity of the Burning Sun. I am hide and feather, fang and claw."
Cards like Tilonalli's Skinshifter
Tilonalli’s Skinshifter is an intriguing creature card that presents unique dynamics in Magic: The Gathering gameplay. It draws a parallel with Mirror Image, both cards being capable of copying other creatures. However, Tilonalli’s Skinshifter differentiates itself by copying the creature it’s attacking with, allowing for more strategic combat possibilities. Unlike the Skinshifter, Mirror Image enters the battlefield as a copy of a creature you already control, which doesn’t offer the same in-battle flexibility.
Other cards reminiscent of Tilonalli’s Skinshifter include Heat Shimmer and Twinflame. Both create a token copy of a target creature, but only for a short time, as the token gets exiled at the end of turn or combat. Tilonalli’s Skinshifter’s ability reactivates on each attack, giving it an edge in ongoing board presence and repeated use. However, this comes at the price of being vulnerable to removal when not copying something more resilient.
Each of these cards has its merit, and Tilonalli’s Skinshifter secures its place among them by offering dynamic combat interactions and the potential for clever play-making. Its value as a repeatable mimic capable of powerful synergies makes it stand out amongst MTG’s creature-copying effects.
Cards similar to Tilonalli's Skinshifter by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Tilonalli’s Skinshifter shines by being able to mimic the abilities and power/toughness of your best creature on the battlefield every time it attacks. This not only dissuades blockers but can create advantageous combat situations that can lead to maintaining or gaining momentum on the board.
Resource Acceleration: In decks designed with creatures that have powerful enter the battlefield effects or those that tap for additional mana, Tilonalli’s Skinshifter can accelerate your resources by copying those abilities during the combat phase. This versatility can lead to unexpectedly potent turns and open up multiple lines of play.
Instant Speed: While Tilonalli’s Skinshifter itself isn’t an instant, its ability to transform as soon as it attacks can catch opponents off guard, much like instants do. This allows you to adapt on the fly to the shifting state of the game, using your creatures’ abilities instantaneously when it counts the most.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Tilonalli’s Skinshifter requires a strategic setup on the battlefield before its ability can be utilized, potentially leading to card disadvantages if not timed correctly.
Specific Mana Cost: It demands an exact mana alignment of one red and two other mana, which can restrict deck-building options and limit its flexibility across various strategies.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana for a transformative ability that only lasts until end of turn, players may find Tilonalli’s Skinshifter less appealing compared to other creatures with persistent effects or lower-cost alternatives.
Reasons to Include Tilonalli’s Skinshifter in Your Collection
Versatility: Tilonalli’s Skinshifter is a chameleon on the battlefield, adapting to the most advantageous creature form each combat. This allows it to seamlessly integrate into various deck builds, from those leveraging powerful attack triggers to those filled with potent ETB effects.
Combo Potential: This card shines in combinations, aligning especially well with decks that have creatures with strong combat-related abilities. It can duplicate the best creature on the field each turn, setting the stage for impressive combo plays and unexpected victories.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where creatures play a pivotal role, Tilonalli’s Skinshifter can be a game-changer. Its ability to adapt and potentially outmatch the abilities of freshly-summoned meta-dominating creatures makes it a card worth considering for your arsenal.
How to beat
Tilonalli’s Skinshifter is an intriguing creature card that brings versatility to any Magic: The Gathering match. When it attacks, it becomes a copy of another target nonlegendary attacking creature until the end of turn, inheriting its power, toughness, and abilities. The key strategy to defeat Tilonalli’s Skinshifter lies in timing and removal. Since its ability triggers upon attacking, it is vulnerable before declaring attackers and after it has copied a creature.
To effectively neutralize this shapeshifter, instant-speed removal spells are ideal. Cards that can target and destroy or exile creatures at instant speed, like Path to Exile or Fatal Push, can disrupt the plan before the ability resolves. Alternatively, using bounce spells like Unsummon can return the Skinshifter to the owner’s hand before it becomes a threat on the battlefield. Another route is to manage the attack phase by controlling the creatures available for it to copy, either through creature removal or pacifying effects that prevent them from attacking or using abilities.
By understanding its mechanics and having the right cards at the ready, Tilonalli’s Skinshifter can be managed effectively, maintaining control over the battlefield dynamic and keeping the advantage on your side.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Tilonalli's Skinshifter MTG card by a specific set like Ixalan Promos and Ixalan, 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 Tilonalli's Skinshifter and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
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- MTG Mint Card
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Printings
The Tilonalli's Skinshifter Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2017-09-29 and 2017-09-29. Illustrated by Jason Rainville.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2017-09-29 | Ixalan Promos | PXLN | 170s | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jason Rainville | |
| 2 | 2017-09-29 | Ixalan | XLN | 170 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jason Rainville |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Tilonalli's Skinshifter has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Tilonalli's Skinshifter card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2017-09-29 | Because attackers have already been declared, any abilities Tilonalli’s Skinshifter copies that trigger when it or other creatures attack won’t trigger. |
| 2017-09-29 | If Tilonalli’s Skinshifter copies a creature that’s copying something else, it will become whatever the target is copying. |
| 2017-09-29 | If an effect from a resolving spell or ability, such as that of Rallying Roar, begins to apply to Tilonalli’s Skinshifter before it becomes a copy of another creature, that effect will continue to apply. |
| 2017-09-29 | If the target of the ability of Tilonalli’s Skinshifter becomes an illegal target, Tilonalli’s Skinshifter won’t become a copy of anything. It will remain a 0/1 attacking creature. |
| 2017-09-29 | Notably, Tilonalli’s Skinshifter won’t copy effects that make a noncreature permanent become a creature. If this causes Tilonalli’s Skinshifter to stop being a creature, it’s removed from combat. |
| 2017-09-29 | Once the ability of Tilonalli’s Skinshifter resolves, its new characteristics don’t change if the characteristics of the copied creature change or if the copied creature leaves the battlefield. |
| 2017-09-29 | Tilonalli’s Skinshifter copies the printed values of the target creature, plus any copy effects that have been applied to it. It won’t copy counters on that creature or effects that have changed its power, toughness, types, color, or so on. |
| 2017-09-29 | Tilonalli’s Skinshifter remains a copy of the creature through the end step. Damage is removed from it at the same time that it stops being a copy. |