Skirsdag High Priest MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Human Cleric
Abilities Morbid
Power 1
Toughness 2

Key Takeaways

  1. The High Priest generates powerful Demon tokens, making idle creatures threaten opponents.
  2. Investing creatures as a resource can lead to future board control through token power.
  3. Activation restrictions require tactical play and deck synergy, affecting its consistency.

Text of card

Morbid — , Tap two untapped creatures you control: Put a 5/5 black Demon creature token with flying onto the battlefield. Activate this ability only if a creature died this turn.

"Thraben's pleas fall on deaf ears. Ours do not."


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Skirsdag High Priest can transform spare creatures into powerful Demon tokens, effectively turning minimal board presence into a potent threat without spending additional cards from your hand.

Resource Acceleration: Although not directly accelerating your resources in terms of mana, the High Priest’s ability to tap two untapped creatures you control to create a 5/5 Demon token with flying can be seen as investing in future board dominance, which is a strategic resource acceleration.

Instant Speed: While Skirsdag High Priest’s ability isn’t at instant speed, it grants the ability to utilize creatures that have summoning sickness or might have no other use during a given turn, essentially giving your creatures a way to be productive on the board at any time.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One drawback of Skirsdag High Priest is the necessity to tap two untapped creatures you control along with it to activate its ability. This can be quite the hurdle in decks that do not reliably have creatures to spare, potentially causing a delay in utilization.

Specific Mana Cost: Skirsdag High Priest demands a specific mana alignment, needing one black and one generic mana. This can restrict deck-building options, as it requires a dedication to black mana sources – potentially an issue for multi-colored or mana-flexible decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While only costing two mana might seem affordable, the true cost of Skirsdag High Priest lies in its ability’s activation. Given that you need a creature with power 4 or greater to get a Demon creature token, there’s an implicit, additional cost in either setting up your board state or having a creature survive with such power on the board.


Reasons to Include Skirsdag High Priest in Your Collection

Versatility: Skirsdag High Priest is a dynamic addition to decks that capitalize on creature synergy. Its capability to generate powerful Demon tokens aligns with various strategies, particularly those revolving around sacrificial mechanics or token generation.

Combo Potential: This card can act as an engine in combo decks, utilizing its tap ability in tandem with other creatures to consistently churn out formidable tokens. It’s especially lethal when paired with cards that untap creatures or with repeatable token creators.

Meta-Relevance: In a game where board presence and creature control are pivotal, Skirsdag High Priest offers an affordable and repeatable way to turn the tide of battle. Its relevance grows in metas where creatures are plentiful and can be strategically sacrificed for greater board control.


How to beat

Skirsdag High Priest can be a threatening presence in Magic: The Gathering, particularly in decks focusing on creature sacrifice and token generation. The ability to create formidable Demon tokens can quickly swing a game in favor of the Priest’s controller. To counteract this card’s advantage, one strategy is to limit the number of creatures your opponent controls. Removal spells are of vital importance in this situation, targeting key creatures before the Priest’s morbid condition can be met.

Another effective method is to employ counterspells or hand disruption tactics. By preventing the High Priest from entering the battlefield or stripping it from your opponent’s hand before it can be cast, you keep the board clear of its potential influence. Moreover, graveyard removal tools can be incredibly beneficial, removing creatures before they can become fodder for the Priest’s dark rituals. Lastly, cards that negate triggered abilities or provide hexproof to your creatures can disrupt the morbid trigger, thus neutralizing the threat posed by Skirsdag High Priest within the game.


BurnMana Recommendations

Revamping your MTG strategy can introduce a new level of play, and Skirsdag High Priest may just be the card to reshape your deck. With its unique capability to turn modest on-board creatures into towering Demon tokens, incorporating the High Priest into your collection is a step toward diversifying your tactics and strengthening your offensive lineup. It’s a card that shines in decks rich with creature interactions, offering both a challenge and a reward to those who master its conditions. Elevate your game by learning about the strategic depth Skirsdag High Priest brings to your next MTG match. Visit us for more insights and tips to maximize your gameplay experience.


Cards like Skirsdag High Priest

In MTG, Skirsdag High Priest presents a compelling dynamic within the realm of creature utility cards. It bears similarities to Westvale Cult Leader, which also revolves around the production of tokens based on the number of creatures you control. However, Skirsdag High Priest requires a more strategic setup to transform into a Demon-producing dynamo, activating its ability when a human you control dies.

Another card worth mentioning alongside Skirsdag High Priest is Xathrid Necromancer. With the necromancer, Human creature tokens are created whenever a Human you control dies, providing a repeatable advantage without the need for tapping multiple creatures. This contrasts with the single, yet more powerful token generated by the High Priest, offering players a choice between quantity and quality of their creature tokens.

Teysa Karlov is an intriguing comparison as well. It allows doubling triggered abilities from tokens that die, which can be combined with the abilities of Skirsdag High Priest to potent effect. While Teysa does not generate tokens directly, the synergy created can lead to a board state just as menacing. In evaluating these similar cards, Skirsdag High Priest stands its ground with its unique requirement and potential to swing the game with its formidable tokens.

Xathrid Necromancer - MTG Card versions
Teysa Karlov - MTG Card versions
Xathrid Necromancer - Resale Promos (PRES)
Teysa Karlov - Ravnica Allegiance Promos (PRNA)

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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Skirsdag High Priest MTG card by a specific set like Innistrad and Commander 2014, 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 Skirsdag High Priest and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Skirsdag High Priest Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2011-09-30 and 2023-03-21. Illustrated by Jason A. Engle.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12011-09-30InnistradISD 1172003normalblackJason A. Engle
22014-11-07Commander 2014C14 1632015normalblackJason A. Engle
32020-08-07Double Masters2XM 1062015normalblackJason A. Engle
42022-12-02Jumpstart 2022J22 4672015normalblackJason A. Engle
52023-03-21Shadows of the PastSIS 342015normalblackJason A. Engle

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Skirsdag High Priest has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
CommanderLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
GladiatorLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Skirsdag High Priest 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 Unlike Skirsdag High Priest itself, the two other creatures you tap to activate its ability aren't required to have been under your control continuously since the beginning of your most recent turn.

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