Silverskin Armor MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Artifact — Equipment
Abilities	Equip
Released	2011-02-04
Set symbol
Set name	Mirrodin Besieged
Set code	MBS
Number	132
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Terese Nielsen

Key Takeaways

Equipping creatures with Silverskin Armor synergizes well in artifact-rich decks, adding versatility and combo potential.
While essential in artifact strategies, its mana cost and need for other artifacts can limit play agility.
Silverskin Armor can become a liability, allowing opponents to target creatures with artifact removal spells.

Text of card

Equipped creature gets +1/+1 and is an artifact in addition to its other types. Equip

Partisan spies warned that no armor would protect the body from Phyrexian infection. Neurok strategists took that as a challenge.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Equipping Silverskin Armor provides a unique form of card advantage by turning the equipped creature into an artifact in addition to its other types. This synergizes well with artifact-centric decks that can leverage this new type for various benefits such as draw triggers, cost reductions, or combo interactions.

Resource Acceleration: Although not directly a source of mana, Silverskin Armor can indirectly lead to resource acceleration. In artifact-themed decks, an additional artifact on the battlefield can reduce the cost of powerful spells or activate abilities that ramp your mana pool, keeping you ahead of your opponents.

Instant Speed: While Silverskin Armor itself doesn’t have an instant speed effect, it can enhance the value of creatures with flash or those that can be cheated into play at instant speed. This adds a layer of surprise and complexity to your strategic plays, making it harder for opponents to anticipate and react to your moves.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Silverskin Armor necessitates having another artifact you’re willing to part with, which can be a setback if your board is artifact-light or you’re relying on artifact synergies.

Specific Mana Cost: While the cost is colourless, it requires two mana plus the need to equip it for another two. This can be cumbersome for decks that aim to be more mana-efficient or that are looking to deploy threats quickly on the board.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: When looking at the overall investiture, Silverskin Armor’s four total mana to cast and equip may deter players given its minimal stat boost. Other equipment or enchantment options might provide more substantial benefits for the same or lower expense.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Silverskin Armor provides a unique advantage by turning the equipped creature into an artifact in addition to boosting its stats. This feature allows for innovative interactions within artifact-centric decks, increasing the utility of the creature within various strategic frameworks.

Combo Potential: This card unlocks numerous synergistic opportunities, especially in decks that capitalize on artifact themes. Not only does it modify a creature’s type, but it also meshes well with cards that trigger off of artifact presence or casting. The combo possibilities with cards like Arcbound Ravager or Time Sieve are just the tip of the iceberg, making it a potent enabler in the right deck.

Meta-Relevance: In metagames where artifacts are key, Silverskin Armor gains additional value. Its ability to protect key creatures from color-specific removal or to empower artifact-matters strategies can shift the tide of a game. Whether you’re facing down removal-heavy control decks or outpacing aggressive builds, this card brings resilience and tactical depth to the table.

How to beat

Silverskin Armor presents an intriguing challenge on the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering. As an equipment card, it not only boosts the power and toughness of the creature it’s equipped to but also transforms it into an artifact in addition to its other types. This peculiar ability can work in the favor of strategists using decks that capitalize on artifact synergies. However, opponents can turn this to their advantage as well.

Dealing with Silverskin Armor effectively involves understanding its dual nature. Artifact removal spells become doubly effective here, as they can target creatures that wouldn’t normally be susceptible. Cards like Shatter or Naturalize that would typically lie dormant in your hand waiting for key artifacts now get an additional range of high-priority targets. Interrupting the equip action with instant-speed spells when your opponent is trying to attach it can also be a savvy move, costing them precious mana and tempo.

In essence, when an opponent relies on Silverskin Armor, it’s essential to prioritize flexible removal in your deck. Adaptability is key, making sure you have responses for both their creatures and potential artifacts. Handling what might initially seem like an enhancement for your opponent can unexpectedly become their Achilles’ heel with the right planning and execution.

Cards like Silverskin Armor

Silverskin Armor offers a unique twist on equipment cards in Magic: The Gathering. It bears resemblance to cards like Swiftfoot Boots, which grants both hexproof and haste to the equipped creature. Although Silverskin Armor does not confer haste, it does give the equipped creature a notable ability to become an artifact in addition to its other types. This can synergize well with decks that capitalize on artifact strategies.

Comparing it to Neurok Stealthsuit, another equipment granting shroud, we see that while Stealthsuit provides immediate protection, Silverskin Armor transforms the creature into an artifact, setting the stage for various combo potential. On the other hand, Cranial Plating, famous among artifact-enhancing equipment, boosts power and toughness instead of altering creature types but lacks the transformative aspect that Silverskin Armor could pivotally provide in certain decks.

In essence, while Silverskin Armor might not directly compete in raw power or immediate protection with other equipment cards, its unique ability to alter a creature’s card type to artifact ensures its place as a specialized tool for creative and synergistic deck-building in Magic: The Gathering.

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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Silverskin Armor MTG card by a specific set like Mirrodin Besieged, 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 Silverskin Armor and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Silverskin Armor has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Silverskin Armor card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.