Skyhunter Skirmisher MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 9 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Cat Knight
Abilities Double strike,Flying
Power 1
Toughness 1

Key Takeaways

  1. Skyhunter Skirmisher’s double strike deals combat damage twice, great for power-based synergies.
  2. Its low casting cost allows quick board presence, adding pressure on opponents early game.
  3. Presence demands instant speed removal, which can disrupt opposing strategies effectively.

Text of card

Flying, double strike

"Like dawn's first light, blind the unprepared and banish the shadows." —Skyhunter creed


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Skyhunter Skirmisher may not directly draw you cards, but its double strike ability means you get twice the opportunity to deal combat damage to an opponent, potentially triggering card draw effects or other advantageous interactions each time it hits.

Resource Acceleration: While not a direct tool for acceleration, the Skirmisher’s low casting cost enables a quicker establishment of board presence, facilitating resource advantage through combat pressure and synergy with equipment or auras that boost mana efficiency.

Instant Speed: Though Skyhunter Skirmisher is a creature and not inherently instant speed, its flying and double strike capabilities pressure opponents to keep instant speed removal in hand, potentially disrupting their tempo and strategy as they need to be prepared to address the threat it poses each time it takes to the sky.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Skyhunter Skirmisher doesn’t directly require a discard to play, its potential in a match can hinge on having the right equipment or auras in play. This may lead you to discard valuable cards to maintain synergy, which can become a setback if your hand is already dwindling.

Specific Mana Cost: Skyhunter Skirmisher requires a specific mana combination of two white to cast. This restricts its inclusion to mono-white or two-color decks and may not be as flexible for multicolored or colorless strategies where mana consistency is key.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For a creature sporting just 1 power and toughness, the cost of three mana, especially two of which must be white, is on the higher side. Considering other creatures in MTG with similar or lower costs bring to the table, Skyhunter Skirmisher’s value diminishes somewhat despite its double strike ability, which usually shines brighter with a substantial power boost.


Reasons to Include Skyhunter Skirmisher in Your Collection

Versatility: Skyhunter Skirmisher offers a unique skill set that allows it to adapt to various deck builds. With its flying and double strike abilities, it can serve as a consistent aerial threat, capable of sneaking past blockers and dealing damage effectively.

Combo Potential: This card can be a cornerstone in decks that emphasize on enhancing creatures or utilizing equipment. Its double strike ability means that any power-boosting equipment or auras can deal twice as much damage, potentially leading to quick wins when combined with the right cards.

Meta-Relevance: Given its characteristics, Skyhunter Skirmisher can perform well in metas where combat tricks and creature buffs are prevalent. It is especially potent in aggressive white-based decks that need evasive threats to close out games against control-oriented deck archetypes.


How to Beat Skyhunter Skirmisher

Skyhunter Skirmisher shines within MTG as a flying creature that can easily slip past common defenses thanks to its double strike ability. When you’re matched against it, remember that its power lies in its ability to deal quick damage and can be a significant threat if enhanced with equipment and auras. The key to defeating this card is by controlling the board. Removal spells are your best friends here. Instant speed spells such as Doom Blade or Path to Exile can dispatch the Skirmisher before it has a chance to deal lethal damage or become too much of a nuisance.

For non-black decks without access to direct removal, consider using cards that can block flyers or that can generate enough blockers to mitigate the damage. Creatures with reach or those that can produce flying tokens are suitable counters. Enchantment-based removals, like Pacifism, can also neutralize the Skirmisher without needing to destroy it, offering a solution for white decks. In a pinch, board wipes clear the way, but they should be a last resort due to their double-edged nature. Nevertheless, continuous control over the skies is crucial in maintaining the upper hand against Skyhunter Skirmisher.


BurnMana Recommendations

Deepening your MTG play is about understanding both the strengths and weaknesses of the cards in your arsenal. Skyhunter Skirmisher, with its ability to double the damage from the air, is a catalyst for devising winning strategies when paired with the right enhancements. Whether your aim is to dominate with a swift aerial offense or you are looking for that one card to complete your synergistic deck masterpiece, it’s pivotal to weigh your options. We invite you to explore and learn how to best integrate the Skirmisher into your collection for a play experience that’s not just a routine match, but a display of strategic finesse.


Cards like Skyhunter Skirmisher

Skyhunter Skirmisher offers a unique advantage for players keen on aggressive flying strategies in Magic: The Gathering. This card functions similarly to Aven Sunstriker, both boasting the double strike ability. However, while Skyhunter Skirmisher has lower toughness, it compensates with a more affordable mana cost.

Comparably, we have Mirran Crusader which stands out with protection from two prominent colors and also carries double strike. Although it’s a more resilient ground-based creature, it comes at a higher mana cost and lacks the evasion that flying provides. Further on, we meet Adorned Pouncer, an Entity with the same double strike feature and a similar mana value. It gives you the flexibility of eternalizing from the graveyard, offering a strategic value that can outweigh Skyhunter Skirmisher’s flying trait in certain situations.

Each of these cards offers a tactical edge in various scenarios, but Skyhunter Skirmisher remains a favorite for its balance of cost, striking power from the air, and compatibility with equipment and auras, solidifying its standing as an asset in aerial assault decks in Magic: The Gathering.

Aven Sunstriker - MTG Card versions
Mirran Crusader - MTG Card versions
Adorned Pouncer - MTG Card versions
Aven Sunstriker - Dragons of Tarkir (DTK)
Mirran Crusader - Mirrodin Besieged Promos (PMBS)
Adorned Pouncer - Hour of Devastation (HOU)

Cards similar to Skyhunter Skirmisher by color, type and mana cost

Argivian Blacksmith - MTG Card versions
Jamuraan Lion - MTG Card versions
Femeref Knight - MTG Card versions
Border Guard - MTG Card versions
Benalish Knight - MTG Card versions
Regal Unicorn - MTG Card versions
Wild Griffin - MTG Card versions
Pianna, Nomad Captain - MTG Card versions
Dogged Hunter - MTG Card versions
Diving Griffin - MTG Card versions
Faithful Squire // Kaiso, Memory of Loyalty - MTG Card versions
Freewind Equenaut - MTG Card versions
Sanctum Guardian - MTG Card versions
Field Marshal - MTG Card versions
Kithkin Healer - MTG Card versions
Kor Hookmaster - MTG Card versions
Zhalfirin Commander - MTG Card versions
Silverblade Paladin - MTG Card versions
Emancipation Angel - MTG Card versions
Steelform Sliver - MTG Card versions
Argivian Blacksmith - Antiquities (ATQ)
Jamuraan Lion - Media Inserts (PMEI)
Femeref Knight - Mirage (MIR)
Border Guard - Portal (POR)
Benalish Knight - Anthologies (ATH)
Regal Unicorn - Classic Sixth Edition (6ED)
Wild Griffin - Starter 2000 (S00)
Pianna, Nomad Captain - Odyssey (ODY)
Dogged Hunter - Odyssey (ODY)
Diving Griffin - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Faithful Squire // Kaiso, Memory of Loyalty - Betrayers of Kamigawa (BOK)
Freewind Equenaut - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
Sanctum Guardian - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
Field Marshal - Coldsnap (CSP)
Kithkin Healer - Lorwyn (LRW)
Kor Hookmaster - Zendikar (ZEN)
Zhalfirin Commander - Duel Decks: Knights vs. Dragons (DDG)
Silverblade Paladin - Avacyn Restored (AVR)
Emancipation Angel - Avacyn Restored (AVR)
Steelform Sliver - Magic 2014 (M14)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Skyhunter Skirmisher MTG card by a specific set like Fifth Dawn and Salvat 2005, 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 Skyhunter Skirmisher and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Skyhunter Skirmisher Magic the Gathering card was released in 7 different sets between 2004-06-04 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Greg Staples.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12004-06-04Fifth Dawn5DN 162003normalblackGreg Staples
22005-08-22Salvat 2005PSAL L392003normalwhiteGreg Staples
32005-08-22Salvat 2005PSAL L32003normalwhiteGreg Staples
42007-07-13Tenth Edition10E 432003normalblackGreg Staples
52007-07-13Tenth Edition10E 43★2003normalblackGreg Staples
62014-11-07Commander 2014C14 892015normalblackGreg Staples
72015-05-22Modern Masters 2015MM2 322015normalblackGreg Staples
82019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 2322015normalblackGreg Staples
92020-09-26The ListPLST MM2-322015normalblackGreg Staples

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Skyhunter Skirmisher has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

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