Zask, Skittering Swarmlord MTG Card

Zask, Skittering Swarmlord - Jumpstart 2022

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	5
Rarity	Rare
Type	Legendary Creature — Insect
Abilities	Mill
Released	2022-12-02
Set symbol
Set name	Jumpstart 2022
Set code	J22
Power	5
Toughness	5
Number	47
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Alexander Ostrowski

Key Takeaways

Zask accelerates your board presence, turning each insect spell into a swelling insect army.
It demands color commitment and may slow tempo with its higher mana cost.
Counter Zask with board sweeps and graveyard-hate to mitigate its persistent token generation.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Zask, Skittering Swarmlord MTG card by a specific set like Jumpstart 2022, 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 Zask, Skittering Swarmlord and other MTG cards:

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Text of card

You may play lands and cast Insect spells from your graveyard. Whenever another Insect you control dies, put it on the bottom of its owner's library, then mill two cards. (Put the top two cards of your library into your graveyard.) {BG}: Target Insect gets +1/+0 and gains deathtouch until end of turn. ({BG} can be paid with either or .)

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The ability of Zask, Skittering Swarmlord to churn out insect tokens not only builds up a formidable army quickly but also translates into an overwhelming card advantage. This is especially powerful as it leverages the number of insects under your control, which could mean a significant lead in resources over your opponent.

Resource Acceleration: By generating an insect token for every other insect you control whenever you cast an instant, sorcery, or enchantment, Zask, Skittering Swarmlord acts as a resource accelerator. This potential to rapidly amass a swarm can expedite your game plan, allowing you to overtake the battlefield ahead of schedule.

Instant Speed: While the card itself is not an instant, it capitalizes on instant speed synergies. By filling your deck with instant spells, you unlock the capacity to create insects on your opponent’s turn, keeping your options open and leading to unexpected swings in board presence — all on a moment’s notice.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One of the drawbacks of Zask Skittering Swarmlord is the potential for a mandatory discard, which could put the player at a disadvantage when trying to maintain card advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: This card comes with a specific mana cost, which demands a certain amount of color commitment and could present challenges in deck building, particularly when working with a multicolored strategy.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although Zask Skittering Swarmlord brings an array of abilities to the battlefield, its higher mana cost can slow down your tempo, especially when facing decks designed for speed and early game dominance.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Zask Skittering Swarmlord is a unique addition to any collection thanks to its ability to adapt to different play styles. This card can spearhead an aggressive strategy or bolster your defenses with a constant influx of insect tokens.

Combo Potential: With Zask Skittering Swarmlord, the combo possibilities are extensive. It synergizes with effects that benefit from token generation or sacrifice, creating opportunities for powerful plays and synergistic deck builds.

Meta-Relevance: Given the play environments that favor creature-based strategies, Zask Skittering Swarmlord holds its ground by providing value through swarm tactics that can quickly overwhelm opponents, aligning well with the tempo of current metagames.

How to beat

Zask Skittering Swarmlord is a dynamic force on the battlefield that thrives upon creature token proliferation. To effectively counter this advantage, it’s important to control the board. Sweepers like Wrath of God can clear a path by removing all creatures, leaving the Skittering Swarmlord isolated. Graveyard hate cards such as Tormod’s Crypt or Relic of Progenitus can also prevent the resurgence of insects from the graveyard, diminishing Zask’s ability to repopulate the field.

Spot removal plays a key role; targeting Zask before the infestation grows out of control is crucial. Efficient spells like Fatal Push or Path to Exile deal with the Swarmlord directly. When facing this adversary, always prioritize available mana for removal spells which can turn the tide in your favor. Don’t overlook the potential of enchantments such as Rest in Peace which neutralizes the graveyard strategy entirely, further weakening Zask’s impact.

In summary, maintaining a clear field and having answers at the ready are the best strategies to overcome the swarm-inducing tendencies of Zask Skittering Swarmlord. Adapt your game plan, stay vigilant, and don’t let the swarm take over.

BurnMana Recommendations

Embarking on the quest for MTG supremacy takes foresight, and Zask, Skittering Swarmlord stands as a testament to strategic play. Balancing its potential for board control with its mana demands is the mark of a skilled player. Seize the opportunity to enhance your collection with a card that not only forges an army of insect tokens but also has the versatility to shape the game in your favor. Whether you prefer reactive plays or proactive tactics, Zask can cater to your style and level up your deck. Dive deeper into your MTG journey and discover the intricacies of building a deck around Zask. The battlefield is yours to command; let’s delve into the world of endless possibilities and relentless swarm strategies together.

Cards like Zask, Skittering Swarmlord

Zask Skittering Swarmlord has carved its niche in the landscape of creature spells. Exploring similarities, Broodhatch Nantuko from Legions sets a precedent for insect creation, albeit it requires the creature to be dealt damage to spawn insect tokens. Zask, in contrast, capitalizes on casting insect spells, proactively offering a token for each spell thus maximizing swarm tactics. It’s an evolution in design, fostering a more controlled creature production.

Ant Queen from the Magic 2010 set is another card sporting the insect theme. It has the ability to manually produce insect tokens, allowing for strategic board growth. However, it lacks Zask’s passive quality of rewarding a player for every insect spell cast, standing as a testament to Zask’s efficiency in continually populating the board. Comparatively, Izoni, Thousand-Eyed from Guilds of Ravnica offers a one-time boon of insects upon entering the battlefield, linked to the number of creatures in your graveyard, yet it doesn’t match Zask’s ongoing potential for token generation.

Through this lens, Zask Skittering Swarmlord’s unique mechanism secures its place among MTG creature cards, particularly for players aiming to weave their strategy around a relentless tide of insect tokens and a robust army of small creatures.