Skysnare Spider MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost6
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Spider
Abilities Reach, Vigilance
Power 6
Toughness 6

Key Takeaways

  1. Skysnare Spider excels in defense, deterring attacks with its reach and maintaining card advantage.
  2. Vigilance allows offensive use without sacrificing defense, though mana cost can be limiting.
  3. Its meta relevance and combo potential make it a robust pick against flying creatures.
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

Vigilance (Attacking doesn't cause this creature to tap.) Reach (This creature can block creatures with flying.)

The only thing more ill-tempered than a griffin in a web is the spider that must subdue it.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: With Skysnare Spider on your side, you effectively deter opponents from attacking, indirectly maintaining your card advantage as your creatures stay intact while preparing to counter the enemy’s moves.

Resource Acceleration: Skysnare Spider doesn’t specifically accelerate resources directly. However, its vigilance allows you to attack without tapping, keeping your defense up and potentially saving resources otherwise spent on creatures for blocking.

Instant Speed: Though not an instant itself, the spider’s reach ability acts as an ever-ready shield, offering a form of board control similar to having an instant-speed interaction on standby, thus providing you with a reactive presence during each opponent’s combat phase.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Skysnare Spider doesn’t specifically require a discard, its presence in your hand can prompt tough decisions, particularly when it competes with more essential plays or if you are forced to discard due to hand size limits.

Specific Mana Cost: Skysnare Spider demands a particular blend of mana, with two green in its cost, making it less flexible for multi-colored decks that might struggle to meet this requirement consistently.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Skysnare Spider comes with a six mana value, which is a considerable investment. This can make it a less attractive option in faster-paced games where lower-cost creatures could be played sooner and begin impacting the board earlier.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Skysnare Spider can serve as a flexible defender in varied deck builds. Its reach and vigilance allow it to block multiple flying threats, making it a reliable inclusion in green decks that need a robust airborne defense.

Combo Potential: This arachnid can fit into decks capitalizing on creature-based synergies. Pairing it with cards that benefit from creatures with vigilance or those that allow you to tap creatures for advantages adds depth to your strategy, making it a noteworthy component for combo interactions.

Meta-Relevance: Skysnare Spider proves its worth in the current meta by being a formidable obstacle for popular aggro decks with flying creatures. Its ability to fend off attackers while remaining untapped for your attack phase keeps you safe and your opponents on their toes.


How to beat

Skysnare Spider serves as a formidable defender on the battlefield of Magic: The Gathering. With vigilance and reach, this arachnid can surprise opponents by not only blocking flying creatures but also staying ready to attack or defend again. However, like any card, it can be outmaneuvered. Board wipes like Wrath of God can clear the field, including the steadfast spider. Additionally, spells that specifically target and remove creatures such as Murder, can take it down no matter its size or defensive capabilities.

Another strategy is to bypass it entirely. Cards like Rogue’s Passage can render a creature unblockable, allowing for direct attacks. Alternatively, an edict effect, forcing the spider’s controller to sacrifice a creature, such as Diabolic Edict, circumvents its defensive prowess entirely. Finally, creating an overwhelming board state with numerous creatures can surpass Skysnare Spider’s singular ability to block, essentially diminishing its role as a deterrent.

In essence, while Skysnare Spider may initially seem like an immoveable object on the MTG playmat, there are numerous tactical methods to overcome this creature, showcasing the depth and complexity of strategic decision-making within the game. Implementing removals, evasion, or resource advantages can help ensure victory against even the mightiest of defenders.


Cards like Skysnare Spider

In the world of Magic: The Gathering, Skysnare Spider stands out as a formidable green creature. It carries a presence much like Sentinel Spider, which also offers reach and vigilance. Yet, Skysnare Spider’s lack of trample separates it from its arachnid cousin. The vigilance attribute is especially crucial, allowing Skysnare Spider to be a force on offense while being ready to defend on the subsequent turn without tapping.

Another creature that vies for a similar role is Silklash Spider. It lacks vigilance but compensates with the ability to deal damage to flying creatures – a powerful tool for board control. But, unlike Skysnare Spider, Silklash Spider does not pose the same offensive threat, as it’s designed more for defensive posturing against aerial assaults. Canopy Spider also deserves a mention here, being a cost-effective green spider with reach. Its low mana cost and lower stats make it a different type of play, typically fitting for an earlier game strategy but not nearly as impactful as Skysnare Spider.

When analyzing their roles in a green deck, Skysnare Spider’s combination of defense and potential offensive pressure typically edges out these similar cards, making it a valuable asset, particularly in limited formats or specific constructed decks within Magic: The Gathering.

Sentinel Spider - MTG Card versions
Silklash Spider - MTG Card versions
Canopy Spider - MTG Card versions
Sentinel Spider - Magic 2013 (M13)
Silklash Spider - Onslaught (ONS)
Canopy Spider - Tempest (TMP)

Cards similar to Skysnare Spider by color, type and mana cost

Craw Wurm - MTG Card versions
Gaea's Liege - MTG Card versions
Wiitigo - MTG Card versions
Autumn Willow - MTG Card versions
Ancient Silverback - MTG Card versions
Sulam Djinn - MTG Card versions
Verdeloth the Ancient - MTG Card versions
Nemata, Grove Guardian - MTG Card versions
Gang of Elk - MTG Card versions
Kavu Howler - MTG Card versions
Crashing Centaur - MTG Card versions
Giant Warthog - MTG Card versions
Rhox - MTG Card versions
Kodama of the East Tree - MTG Card versions
Terra Stomper - MTG Card versions
Feral Throwback - MTG Card versions
Brontotherium - MTG Card versions
Elvish Aberration - MTG Card versions
Force of Nature - MTG Card versions
Fangren Pathcutter - MTG Card versions
Craw Wurm - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
Gaea's Liege - Revised Edition (3ED)
Wiitigo - Masters Edition II (ME2)
Autumn Willow - Pro Tour Collector Set (PTC)
Ancient Silverback - Urza's Destiny (UDS)
Sulam Djinn - Invasion (INV)
Verdeloth the Ancient - Modern Masters (MMA)
Nemata, Grove Guardian - The List (PLST)
Gang of Elk - Seventh Edition (7ED)
Kavu Howler - Apocalypse (APC)
Crashing Centaur - Odyssey (ODY)
Giant Warthog - Judgment (JUD)
Rhox - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Kodama of the East Tree - Commander Legends (CMR)
Terra Stomper - Zendikar (ZEN)
Feral Throwback - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Brontotherium - Legions (LGN)
Elvish Aberration - Masters 25 (A25)
Force of Nature - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Fangren Pathcutter - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Skysnare Spider MTG card by a specific set like Magic Origins and Commander Masters, 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 Skysnare Spider and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Skysnare Spider Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2015-07-17 and 2023-08-04. Illustrated by Filip Burburan.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12015-07-17Magic OriginsORI 1972015normalblackFilip Burburan
22023-08-04Commander MastersCMM 3222015normalblackFilip Burburan

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Skysnare Spider has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal

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