Toski, Bearer of Secrets MTG Card
2021-02-05 - Number 197
2021-02-05 - Number 319
2021-02-06 - Number 197p
2021-02-06 - Number 197s
2024-02-09 - Number 191
2002-06-24 - Number 88340
2021-02-05 - Number 52
| Card sets | Released in 7 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Legendary Creature — Squirrel |
| Abilities | Indestructible |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Key Takeaways
- Toski secures continuous card advantage, especially within decks populated with numerous attacking creatures.
- Four Green mana cost can limit Toski’s integration into less green-centric multicolored decks.
- Despite its higher cost, Toski’s indestructibility and card draw potential make it valuable.
Text of card
This spell can't be countered. Indestructible Toski, Bearer of Secrets attacks each combat if able. Whenever a creature you control deals combat damage to a player, draw a card.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Toski, Bearer of Secrets ensures a steady flow of card advantage as it enables you to draw a card whenever a creature you control deals combat damage to a player. This ability can quickly outpace your opponent in resources, especially in decks with numerous creatures.
Resource Acceleration: While not directly providing resource acceleration like generating mana, Toski’s inherent ability to draw additional cards can lead to an indirect form of resource acceleration by consistently providing land drops and access to more spells to cast each turn.
Instant Speed: Toski offers a unique advantage at instant speed due to its indestructible nature. Although playing Toski is at sorcery speed, once it’s on the battlefield, it stays around, allowing you to use your mana on other instant speed spells with the confidence that Toski will be there to continue generating card advantage next turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Toski, Bearer of Secrets provides an ongoing source of card advantage, there are certain strategies and decks where the card might not fit seamlessly due to its inherent need for multiple creatures. Toski thrives in a creature-heavy environment where attacking can be consistent. Decks lacking in creatures or those that are constructed around spell-based control or combo finishers might find Toski redundant and impractical, as drawing him won’t advance their main gameplan.
Specific Mana Cost: Toski, Bearer of Secrets comes with a specific mana requirement of four Green. This can constrain deck-building options, as it requires a substantial commitment to green mana sources. In multicolored decks that only have a light splash of green, consistently casting Toski on curve can be problematic, often necessitating a mana base that can reliably produce enough green mana early enough in the game to make full use of Toski’s potential.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Despite possessing indestructible, the four mana investment to summon Toski can be a drawback. In faster-paced games or against decks that stabilize early, allocating four mana to introduce Toski to the battlefield might be too slow, hindering the deck’s tempo. Many decks prefer to establish board control or set up defenses by the time Toski could be played, potentially making him a less impactful play for its cost at that stage in the game.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Toski, Bearer of Secrets slides effortlessly into various deck types, standing out in those that rely on consistent card draw. As an indestructible creature, Toski remains on the battlefield, ready to adapt to an array of game scenarios.
Combo Potential: This card’s ability to draw upon dealing combat damage to a player makes it an excellent piece for combinations with creatures that can tap or untap repeatedly, ensuring a steady flow of card advantage.
Meta-Relevance: With an ever-changing competitive scene, Toski holds its ground by fitting into decks that aim to out-value opponents in creature-based strategies. Its resilience and potential for card advantage make it a relevant choice in various meta-games.
How to beat
Toski, Bearer of Secrets, carves a unique niche in the pantheon of creatures that can’t be countered. What sets this squirrel legend apart is its combination of being uncounterable, indestructible, and the ability to draw cards whenever a creature you control deals combat damage to a player. This makes Toski a persistent threat and a card advantage engine in Magic: The Gathering games.
Overcoming Toski requires strategic removal. Since it can’t be countered and is indestructible, traditional removal spells like Murder or Doom Blade fall short. Instead, winning against Toski involves using exile effects or effects that don’t destroy. Consider cards like Path to Exile or Settle the Wreckage to manage Toski without destroying it. Another approach is to use effects that force a sacrifice, since they bypass indestructibility. Don’t overlook the advantage of playing aggressively to keep your opponent on defense, decreasing the opportunities for Toski to attack and trigger its card drawing ability.
Ultimately, players must employ creative strategies and removal techniques to handle a resilient creature like Toski, ensuring it doesn’t unravel their game plan by generating an overwhelming card advantage for the opponent.
Cards like Toski, Bearer of Secrets
Toski, Bearer of Secrets stands out in Magic: The Gathering as an indispensable schemer among creature cards. This Squirrel draws similarities with Edric, Spymaster of Trest, as both share the trait of granting card advantage by dealing combat damage to a player. What distinguishes Toski is its indelible presence with the ability to be neither countered nor destroyed, unleashing relentless strategy on the battlefield.
Comparatively, Ohran Frostfang offers a parallel benefit by allowing card draw with every creature that deals combat damage to a player and adds deathtouch into the mix. Despite these perks, Ohran does not possess Toski’s inherent resilience and may find itself vulnerable to removal. Meanwhile, the legendary Cold-Eyed Selkie can draw multiple cards depending on the damage dealt, a trait akin to Toski’s, though its iodine frame lacks the sturdier defenses Toski boasts.
When considering such creatures that can turn the tide with card advantage, Toski, Bearer of Secrets commands a unique slot with its meld of tenacious survivability and consistent drawing power, making it a robust contender for decks that capitalize on offensive tactics and card draw synergy in Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Toski, Bearer of Secrets by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Toski, Bearer of Secrets MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Kaldheim Art Series, 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 Toski, Bearer of Secrets 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
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Printings
The Toski, Bearer of Secrets Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2021-02-05 and 2024-02-09. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 88340 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Andy Brase | ||
| 2 | Kaldheim Art Series | AKHM | 52 | 2015 | Art series | Borderless | Jason Rainville | ||
| 3 | 2021-02-05 | Kaldheim | KHM | 197 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jason Rainville | |
| 4 | 2021-02-05 | Kaldheim | KHM | 319 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Andy Brase | |
| 5 | 2021-02-06 | Kaldheim Promos | PKHM | 197p | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jason Rainville | |
| 6 | 2021-02-06 | Kaldheim Promos | PKHM | 197s | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jason Rainville | |
| 7 | 2024-02-09 | Murders at Karlov Manor Commander | MKC | 191 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jason Rainville |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Toski, Bearer of Secrets has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Toski, Bearer of Secrets card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2021-02-05 | A spell or ability that counters spells can still target Toski. When that spell or ability resolves, Toski won’t be countered, but any additional effects of that spell or ability will still happen. |
| 2021-02-05 | If Toski can’t attack for some reason (such as being tapped or having come under that player’s control that turn), then it doesn’t attack. If there’s a cost associated with having it attack, you aren’t forced to pay that cost, so it doesn’t have to attack in that case either. |
