Scaldkin MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Elemental |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Released | 2014-09-26 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Khans of Tarkir |
| Set code | KTK |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
| Number | 52 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Cliff Childs |
Key Takeaways
- Scaldkin’s instant damage ability amplifies board control and pace in the mid-game.
- It demands a careful balance in hand resources due to its discard requirement.
- Though niche, Scaldkin may reinforce red-based strategies with its versatility.
Text of card
Flying , Sacrifice Scaldkin: Scaldkin deals 2 damage to target creature or player.
The Temur believe that scaldkin are born when eruptions melt the frozen whispers of sleeping ancestors.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Scaldkin’s ability has the potential to deal direct damage to creatures, which can tip the scales in your favor on the battlefield. Removing opposing creatures while maintaining your own can give you a considerable advantage.
Resource Acceleration: Although Scaldkin itself doesn’t inherently accelerate your resources, its four-mana cost fits well into many midrange strategies, allowing you to maintain momentum in the crucial middle turns of the game.
Instant Speed: Scaldkin’s ability to deal damage can be activated at instant speed, giving you the flexibility to react to your opponent’s moves on their turn. This can disrupt their strategies and plays, making Scaldkin a versatile tool in your arsenal.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Scaldkin’s activated ability necessitates the discard of a card, which may detract from your hand advantage and impair your ability to maintain card options throughout the game.
Specific Mana Cost: Scaldkin requires a mix of generic and blue mana to cast, potentially restricting its inclusion only to decks that can generate both resources effectively.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: At four mana—two of which are colored—this creature’s cost to power ratio might not align well compared to other options in the same mana slot, potentially making it a less competitive choice for optimized decks.
Reasons to Include Scaldkin in Your Collection
Versatility: Scaldkin can serve as both an offensive and defensive asset in a variety of red-based decks. Its ability to deal damage makes it a flexible card, suitable for controlling the board or finishing off weakened opponents.
Combo Potential: With its ability to sacrifice for damage, Scaldkin synergizes well with strategies that involve sacrificing creatures for value or triggering effects when creatures die.
Meta-Relevance: Given that creature-based strategies are commonplace in many metas, having a card like Scaldkin can be crucial for maintaining board presence or disrupting your opponent’s game plan.
How to beat
The Scaldkin creature card presents a unique challenge on the battleground of Magic: The Gathering. As a flyer with the ability to deal damage directly to a creature or player upon sacrificing it, it demands specific tactics to counter effectively. One strategy involves removing it from play before its ability can be activated. This is feasible with instant-speed removal spells that can be played in response to the activation of its ability. Ensuring you have removal options in your deck, such as Path to Exile or Fatal Push, can keep Scaldkin at bay.
A more preemptive approach is to use counter spells when Scaldkin is cast, preventing your opponent from leveraging its abilities entirely. Cards like Negate or Essence Scatter are perfect matches for this strategy. Additionally, playing creatures with reach or those with higher toughness can create a defensive barrier Scaldkin is ill-equipped to breach on its own. Lastly, keeping pressure on your opponent by maintaining a swift pace and building a board presence can often sidestep the need to directly handle this fiery threat.
In summary, timely removal, strategic counters, and a strong board presence are key to outmaneuvering the versatile Scaldkin card in MTG.
Cards like Scaldkin
Scaldkin is a creature card that offers a flexible role in MTG decks that favor flying attackers and direct damage as removal. This card is reminiscent of other creatures like Furnace Whelp, which also allows players to invest mana for an increase in damage. However, Scaldkin differs by providing a one-time damage ability upon sacrifice, offering a guaranteed impact on the board, unlike Furnace Whelp which requires survival through turns for ongoing benefits.
Another comparable card is Goblin Arsonist, which upon death, deals damage to any target. Though the damage is less and lacks a flying ability, the lower casting cost makes it an early game option. In contrast, Scaldkin requires four mana, but the flying trait and higher damage output make it a potent mid-game play. Aeronaut Tinkerer, similarly costed, highlights the flying ability but lacks the direct damage feature that makes Scaldkin a dual-threat on the battlefield.
In evaluating these cards side by side, Scaldkin stands out in MTG for combining direct damage with aerial combat, making it a versatile choice for players who wish to maintain pressure both in the air and on the board.
Cards similar to Scaldkin by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Scaldkin MTG card by a specific set like Khans of Tarkir, 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 Scaldkin 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 Scaldkin 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 |
