Skyline Scout MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Human Scout |
| Released | 2018-10-05 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Guilds of Ravnica |
| Set code | GRN |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 1 |
| Number | 25 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Paul Scott Canavan |
Key Takeaways
- Skyline Scout promotes indirect card advantage by triggering attack-based effects during combat.
- Instant speed activation of its flying ability bolsters tactical adaptability and surprises opponents.
- Mana investment for ability activation might limit strategic plays in certain game scenarios.
Text of card
Whenever Skyline Scout attacks, you may pay . If you do, it gains flying until end of turn.
"Sometimes an angel passes by and gives me a little nod, like, 'You're a daring one!' That always makes my day."
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Skyline Scout doesn’t provide direct card draw, it enables repeated offenses and interactions with cards that trigger upon attacking, potentially offering indirect card advantage throughout the game.
Resource Acceleration: Although not a typical source of mana, Skyline Scout’s ability to fly upon activation allows for reliable damage, which can accelerate your win condition, effectively saving resources otherwise used for board control.
Instant Speed: The Skyline Scout’s ability can be activated at instant speed during the declare attackers step, providing tactical flexibility in combat and catching opponents off guard, especially if you manage your mana wisely and leave open the option to either activate the Scout or cast other instant speed spells.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Skyline Scout’s ability to gain flying when attacking requires an additional mana investment, which can be a setback when your mana could be deployed for other crucial plays or maintaining a strategic hand size.
Specific Mana Cost: Skyline Scout demands white mana for both casting and activating its ability. This specificity can challenge deck building, particularly in multicolored decks where mana flexibility is key.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although two mana for a 2/1 creature may seem fair, the additional cost to make it evasive tallys up, especially considering alternative creatures in this mana range might offer flying innately or come with other beneficial abilities.
Reasons to Include Skyline Scout in Your Collection
Versatility: Skyline Scout is a flexible inclusion for decks looking to maintain board presence. Its ability to gain flying until end of turn allows it to evade ground blockers and maintain pressure on opponents.
Combo Potential: In synergy with cards that benefit from creatures with flying, Skyline Scout’s activated ability can be a crucial enabler, fitting into aerial or evasion-centric strategies.
Meta-Relevance: Given that creature-based aggressive decks are common in many metas, Skyline Scout can serve as a reliable two-drop creature, capable of adapting to various combat situations and slipping through for crucial damage.
How to Beat
The Skyline Scout may seem unassuming at a glance, but it’s a nimble and versatile two-drop creature in Magic: The Gathering. When examining how to effectively counter this card, consider its key ability to gain flying until end of turn when you pay the additional cost during its attack. This feature allows the Scout to bypass ground blockers and chip away at an opponent’s life total.
To nullify the aerial advantage of the Skyline Scout, it’s wise to include a well-planned mix of instant-speed removal spells or creatures with reach in your deck. Efficient removal such as Shock or Fatal Push can handle the Scout before it becomes a recurring nuisance in the skies. Additionally, employing creatures with reach or those that can block multiple creatures provides a robust defensive line that makes the Scout’s ability less impactful.
Understanding the environment and preemptive deck building are crucial in overcoming creatures like the Skyline Scout. With the right strategies in place, you can effectively minimize the threats posed by these agile adversaries and maintain control over the battlefield.
Cards like Skyline Scout
Skyline Scout is a versatile creature card that finds its niche in Magic: The Gathering’s roster of aerial threats. Within the realms of two-mana creatures, it stands out because of its ability to gain flying until the end of the turn for a small investment, providing a reliable and adaptable offensive. This contrasts with cards like Healer’s Hawk, which, although costs one less mana, has a fixed flying ability and a lower power value.
Another card worth comparing is Gust Walker, a creature that can also become airborne but through the exert mechanic, meaning it won’t untap during your next untap step. Skyline Scout, free from the exert restraint, grants you more strategic flexibility over multiple turns. Then there’s Kor Skyfisher, which has a stronger presence with its permanent flying, but returns a permanent back to its owner’s hand—a dual-sided design that might limit its effectiveness in some game scenarios compared to the straightforward utility of Skyline Scout.
Evaluating different cards, Skyline Scout maintains a steady position, especially in decks that capitalize on agility and evasion. Its ability to adapt on the fly without tying up your resources for the next turn is a subtle advantage that can make a significant impact in the flow of the game.
Cards similar to Skyline Scout by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Skyline Scout MTG card by a specific set like Guilds of Ravnica, 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 Skyline Scout and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Skyline Scout has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
