Batterskull MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 8 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityMythic
TypeArtifact — Equipment
Abilities Equip,Living weapon

Key Takeaways

  1. Provides card advantage by equipping a creature without extra card cost, ensuring consistent battlefield presence.
  2. Resource acceleration via lifegain creates pressure, extending your game time and forcing opponent responses.
  3. Flexible instant speed mechanisms protect Batterskull from removal, boosting mana efficiency and reactivity.
Vigilance card art

Guide to Vigilance card ability

In the strategic universe of Magic: The Gathering (MTG), the vigilance ability stands out as a powerful tool for players. This potent keyword allows creatures to attack without tapping, keeping them ready and alert to defend against incoming threats. It represents a perfect balance between aggression and defense, offering a dynamic approach to gameplay. Lets dive deeper into how vigilance shapes the battlefield.

Text of card

Living weapon (When this Equipment enters the battlefield, create a 0/0 black Phyrexian Germ creature token, then attach this to it.) Equipped creature gets +4/+4 and has vigilance and lifelink. : Return Batterskull to its owner's hand. Equip


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Batterskull provides significant card advantage by presenting a recurring threat. Once the card is on the battlefield, the living weapon ability equips the Germ token, creating a creature that can independently impact the game. Even if the creature is dealt with, the equipment remains, ready to be attached to another creature without needing to spend additional cards from your hand.

Resource Acceleration: Batterskull’s equipped abilities allow for effective resource acceleration in the form of life gain. Each time the equipped creature deals damage, its controller gains life equal to that damage. This not only extends the player’s life total, effectively giving them more time and turns to utilize their resources but also puts pressure on the opponent to respond quickly.

Instant Speed: The ability to instantaneously attach Batterskull to a creature with its “Equip” ability isn’t at instant speed itself, but Batterskull does have a built-in mechanism for bouncing it back to the owner’s hand at instant speed. This flexibility allows you to protect it from removal, or simply re-deploy it for another living weapon trigger, utilizing your mana efficiently at the end of your opponent’s turn or in response to an action they take.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Batterskull does not have a discard requirement itself, equipping it to a creature may open you up to two-for-one losses against removal, effectively costing you additional cards beyond the initial investment.

Specific Mana Cost: Batterskull demands a precise mana investment—five mana of any type. This requirement may sometimes clash with the need to maintain mana availability for other spells in your hand, particularly in non-ramp decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Given that Batterskull has a five mana value, it sits on the higher end of the curve. In a format where speed is of the essence, this can occasionally be a setback, especially if facing down a rapid aggro strategy devoid of sufficient ways to ramp or cheat the card into play early.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Batterskull stands out as a top pick due to its flexibility in deck building. It’s a potent addition to any control or midrange deck seeking resilient threats. The Living Weapon keyword ensures you get a creature along with the equipment, making it valuable even when drawn late in the game.

Combo Potential: With its innate ability to bounce back to your hand and re-enter with another germ token, Batterskull synergizes with cards that trigger on artifact or creature entrance. It offers repeated value and interacts well with various strategies, from flicker effects to sacrifice mechanics.

Meta-Relevance: As the game ebbs and flows with different dominant deck types, Batterskull retains its relevance. It’s particularly effective in meta-games where lifegain and robust creatures can turn the tide. Its inherent lifelink and vigilance make it a persistent force on the board, one that can tip the scales in grindy matchups.


How to beat

Batterskull represents a formidable presence in any MTG match, blending resilience with power to create a formidable threat. This equipment card not only confers a significant power and toughness boost but also comes equipped with lifelink and vigilance, proving to be a double-edged sword that both fortifies your life total while wearing down your opponent. But like any card in MTG, Batterskull has its Achille’s heel.

Artifact removal spells are your go-to solution; they efficiently dismantle the defense Batterskull provides. Popular choices include Nature’s Claim and Shatterstorm, which can eradicate Batterskull from the board, setting your opponent back significantly. Another strategy to consider is preemptive action through hand disruption spells like Thoughtseize or Inquisition of Kozilek, stripping Batterskull from your opponent’s grip before it ever poses a threat. Lastly, never underestimate the power of bounce spells. Returning Batterskull to the owner’s hand disrupts their tempo, leaving the door open for you to gain the upper hand. It’s crucial to remember, in the face of daunting cards like Batterskull, strategy and foresight can turn the tides of battle in your favor.


BurnMana Recommendations

Elevate your MTG prowess by recognizing Batterskull’s unique value on the battlefield. With its versatile applications and ability to persist through lifegain and reusability, Batterskull is an astute addition for those looking to add resilience to their deck. Enhancing your collection with such dynamic cards is a move towards greater strategic depth in gameplay. Whether you’re bolstering your defense or optimizing combo plays, learning the ins and outs of powerful equipment like Batterskull can be a game-changer. Dive deeper into strategies, refine your deck, and stand triumphant against your adversaries. Ready for a deeper understanding? Continue on your journey with us to master the complexities of MTG.


Cards like Batterskull

Batterskull stands out in the realm of living weapon cards within Magic: The Gathering. Its closest counterparts might be cards like Umezawa’s Jitte and Sword of Fire and Ice, due to their ability to equip creatures and provide powerful buffs. However, Batterskull has a unique advantage with its living weapon ability, effectively bringing a 0/0 Germ creature into play already equipped. Umezawa’s Jitte, while not providing a body, can offer cumulative power through its charge counters, affecting both creature combat and player life totals.

Then we have Skullclamp, another equipment that offers a different kind of power by turning creature death into card advantage. Though it doesn’t give a considerable stat boost or a creature token, its utility in certain decks can be unmatched. Additionally, Stoneforge Mystic cannot be ignored in discussions about equipment-related cards, given its ability to search and put into play cards like Batterskull at a reduced cost.

While each equipment card has its niche, Batterskull’s integration of a significant life gain and its recurring nature, thanks to the included Germ token, mark it as a resilient force in player arsenals across various MTG formats.

Umezawa's Jitte - MTG Card versions
Sword of Fire and Ice - MTG Card versions
Skullclamp - MTG Card versions
Stoneforge Mystic - MTG Card versions
Umezawa's Jitte - Betrayers of Kamigawa (BOK)
Sword of Fire and Ice - Darksteel (DST)
Skullclamp - Darksteel (DST)
Stoneforge Mystic - Grand Prix Promos (PGPX)

Cards similar to Batterskull by color, type and mana cost

Ring of Renewal - MTG Card versions
Clockwork Avian - MTG Card versions
Gauntlets of Chaos - MTG Card versions
Soldevi Steam Beast - MTG Card versions
Sand Golem - MTG Card versions
Pandora's Box - MTG Card versions
Belbe's Portal - MTG Card versions
Crumbling Sanctuary - MTG Card versions
Mind's Eye - MTG Card versions
Horizon Stone - MTG Card versions
The Deck of Many Things - MTG Card versions
Clockwork Vorrac - MTG Card versions
Timesifter - MTG Card versions
Leveler - MTG Card versions
Myr Matrix - MTG Card versions
Dross Golem - MTG Card versions
Razormane Masticore - MTG Card versions
Thran Golem - MTG Card versions
Coat of Arms - MTG Card versions
Clockwork Hydra - MTG Card versions
Ring of Renewal - Fallen Empires (FEM)
Clockwork Avian - Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border (4BB)
Gauntlets of Chaos - Chronicles (CHR)
Soldevi Steam Beast - Alliances (ALL)
Sand Golem - Mirage (MIR)
Pandora's Box - Astral Cards (PAST)
Belbe's Portal - Nemesis (NEM)
Crumbling Sanctuary - World Championship Decks 2000 (WC00)
Mind's Eye - The Brothers' War Retro Artifacts (BRR)
Horizon Stone - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
The Deck of Many Things - Adventures in the Forgotten Realms Promos (PAFR)
Clockwork Vorrac - Mirrodin (MRD)
Timesifter - Mirrodin (MRD)
Leveler - Mystery Booster Retail Edition Foils (FMB1)
Myr Matrix - Darksteel (DST)
Dross Golem - Darksteel (DST)
Razormane Masticore - Fifth Dawn (5DN)
Thran Golem - Dominaria Remastered (DMR)
Coat of Arms - The List (PLST)
Clockwork Hydra - Time Spiral (TSP)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Batterskull MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Magic Online Promos, 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 Batterskull and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Batterskull Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 2007-02-24 and 2020-08-07. Illustrated by 3 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 828602015normalblackrk post
22002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 519302003normalblackIgor Kieryluk
32007-02-24Grand Prix PromosPGPX 20142003normalblackIgor Kieryluk
42011-05-13New PhyrexiaNPH 1302003normalblackMark Zug
52019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 12062015normalblackMark Zug
62020-08-07Double Masters2XM 2342015normalblackMark Zug
72020-08-07Double Masters2XM 3562015normalborderlessrk post
82020-09-26The ListPLST NPH-1302003normalblackMark Zug

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Batterskull has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Batterskull card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

DateText
2020-08-07 If the Germ token is destroyed, the Equipment remains on the battlefield as with any other Equipment.
2020-08-07 If the living weapon trigger causes two Germs to be created (due to an effect such as that of Doubling Season), the Equipment becomes attached to one of them. The other will be put into your graveyard and subsequently cease to exist, unless another effect raises its toughness above 0.
2020-08-07 Like other Equipment, each Equipment with living weapon has an equip cost. You can pay this cost to attach an Equipment to another creature you control. Once the Germ token is no longer equipped, it will be put into your graveyard and subsequently cease to exist, unless another effect raises its toughness above 0.
2020-08-07 The Germ token enters the battlefield as a 0/0 creature and the Equipment becomes attached to it before state-based actions would cause the token to die. Abilities that trigger as the token enters the battlefield see that a 0/0 creature entered the battlefield.
2020-08-07 The ability to return Batterskull to its owner's hand can be activated only if Batterskull is on the battlefield. If Batterskull is no longer on the battlefield when the ability resolves, Batterskull remains in its new zone and isn't returned to its owner's hand.

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