Gutter Skulk MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Zombie Rat
Released	2013-02-01
Set symbol
Set name	Gatecrash
Set code	GTC
Power	2
Toughness	2
Number	67
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Mark Winters

Key Takeaways

Gutter Skulk’s low cost and balanced stats make it a solid choice for early gameplay strategies.
It lacks special abilities but can fit into various decks, enhancing creature-based synergies.
While not overpowering, understanding how to counter Gutter Skulk can streamline your path to victory.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Versatility plays a key role in the benefits of Gutter Skulk. While it doesn’t directly allow you to draw cards, its presence on the battlefield can deter opponents from attacking or blocking, in turn, helping you maintain card superiority. This could lead to a more favorable board state and indirectly contribute to card advantage over time.

Resource Acceleration: Gutter Skulk may not provide direct resource acceleration in the form of additional mana or treasure tokens. However, it’s a low-cost creature that efficiently utilizes your mana in the early game. Deploying Gutter Skulk swiftly lets you establish board presence while keeping resources ready for subsequent turns to cast more influential spells or creatures.

Instant Speed: Although Gutter Skulk is a creature card and not cast at instant speed, having creatures like it that can be played early and interact quickly with the game’s evolving board state is crucial. It serves as a foundation for developing a board that can react to opponent’s actions at a moment’s notice, giving you the edge in quick-response scenarios.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Gutter Skulk requires you to discard a card each time you want to leverage certain abilities, potentially putting you at a card disadvantage, especially if you don’t have a way to generate extra card draw.

Specific Mana Cost: This creature card necessitates a black mana cost that might not seamlessly fit into multi-colored or colorless decks, reducing its versatility and impacting its deck compatibility.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that may be considered steep compared to its basic abilities, Gutter Skulk might not be the most cost-efficient choice for the slot, especially when you could opt for alternatives with greater impact or more favorable synergies for the same or lower mana investment.

Reasons to Include Gutter Skulk in Your Collection

Versatility: Gutter Skulk’s straightforward design allows it to seamlessly fit into any deck looking for a cost-effective creature. Its two-mana casting cost for a 2/2 creature makes it a reliable turn-two play in a variety of deck archetypes.

Combo Potential: Although not a combo piece itself, this card can be a valuable enabler in decks that synergize with creature types such as Rats or Zombies. Also, its low cost makes it easy to summon and sacrifice for larger, more devastating effects.

Meta-Relevance: When facing decks that rely on early game dominance, a Gutter Skulk can help maintain board presence without significant investment. It can also be useful against decks that utilize many X/1 creatures, being a consistent blocker and attacker on the ground.

How to beat

Gutter Skulk is a creature card that many MTG players come across in the battlefield. With its balanced stats and straightforward gameplay, Gutter Skulk can be a constant presence in the early to mid-game. Its presence can pressure opponents who might be scrambling for an effective blocker or trying to muster up removal resources. If you’re on the other side of the table, having a strategy to handle this pesky creature is paramount.

To effectively counteract Gutter Skulk, it’s wise to consider creature removal spells. Since Gutter Skulk isn’t known for its size, spells like Shock or Dead Weight can manage it efficiently without consuming much of your mana pool. Board wipes such as Wrath of God can also clear it away along with other threats. Another angle is to outclass it with creatures that have stronger stats for similar mana costs. By developing a board that dwarfs the Gutter Skulk, it becomes much less of a threat. Lastly, don’t overlook the power of simply blocking it with a higher toughness creature to neutralize its effectiveness on the battlefield.

Ultimately, while Gutter Skulk can be an early game nuisance, its impact is mitigated by a well-prepared deck. Keeping these simple yet effective strategies in mind will help ensure that Gutter Skulk doesn’t stand in your way to victory.

Cards like Gutter Skulk

Gutter Skulk is a straightforward creature that finds its place in MTG decks focusing on low-cost creatures. In its essence, Gutter Skulk is reminiscent of the classic Black Cat card. Both share a two-mana casting cost, with the Skulk favoring a simpler, no-frills approach to gameplay. Alternatively, Black Cat brings a slightly tactical angle into the mix, forcing an opponent to discard a card upon its demise.

Another card worth mentioning alongside Gutter Skulk is Walking Corpse. Both are black zombies with a power and toughness of 2/2, arriving on the battlefield ready to put pressure on opponents early in the game. Where they diverge, however, is in tribal synergy which can be pivotal in zombie-themed decks. While Gutter Skulk offers no additional abilities, Walking Corpse can sometimes benefit from other cards tailored to empower zombies specifically.

Ultimately, Gutter Skulk is an efficient card to fill the two-mana curve in many decks, serving as a reliable creature for early game strategies. Comparatively, cards like Black Cat or Walking Corpse may offer additional bonuses that can be catered to more specialized deck themes within the MTG universe.

Cards similar to Gutter Skulk by color, type and mana cost

Order of the Ebon Hand - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Gutter Skulk MTG card by a specific set like Gatecrash, 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 Gutter Skulk and other MTG cards: