Simic Sky Swallower MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 7 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost7
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Leviathan
Abilities Flying,Shroud,Trample
Power 6
Toughness 6

Key Takeaways

  1. The card’s shroud and flying make it a persistent, evasive threat in any MTG match.
  2. Simic Sky Swallower fits well in ramp strategies, pressuring opponents early on.
  3. Though powerful, its specific mana requirements and high cost can be restrictive.

Text of card

Flying, trample Simic Sky Swallower can't be the target of spells or abilities.

"We've bred out the shortcomings of the species' natural form and replaced them with assets of our own design." —Momir Vig


Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Simic Sky Swallower is intrinsic card advantage thanks to its imposing presence on the battlefield. Its shroud ability makes it resilient against targeted removal spells, ensuring that it remains a persistent threat and maintains your card advantage.

Resource Acceleration: Although not directly offering resource acceleration, its inclusion in Simic decks synergizes well with the guild’s propensity for ramping. This allows players to cast this dominant creature ahead of schedule, putting immense pressure on opponents early in the game.

Instant Speed: While Simic Sky Swallower itself is not an instant, it benefits from being in colors that support instant-speed interaction. This allows players to keep their options open, dealing with threats or advancing their board until the moment is right to deploy this aerial behemoth.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While this Simic Sky Swallower doesn’t directly ask to discard cards, its place in a Simic deck may lead to situations where your hand is reduced faster than anticipated. Decks that use it might compel you to cycle through your deck, risking the loss of crucial cards in the process.

Specific Mana Cost: The powerful Leviathan requires a mix of both green and blue mana, making the card a tricky fit for multicolored decks that aren’t already based on the Simic combination. This restricts its versatility and can be a stumbling block for players running more than two colors.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Requiring seven mana to summon, Simic Sky Swallower has a high casting cost, which could slow down your game momentum, particularly when faced with opponents running quicker, more aggressive decks. While the creature is certainly powerful, it might not always be the most efficient use of your mana resources during a crucial turn.


Reasons to Include Simic Sky Swallower in Your Collection

Versatility: Simic Sky Swallower brings exceptional value to any deck that thrives on evasion and resilience. Its inherent protection from targeted spells makes it a formidable addition to a variety of control and midrange decks.

Combo Potential: The card’s flying and trample abilities serve as an excellent win condition within ramp or reanimation strategies. It can easily become the cornerstone of a deck that aims to cheat out big creatures early in the game.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where control decks dominate, Simic Sky Swallower’s shroud ability ensures it remains a persistent threat. It is especially potent in metas with fewer board wipes or in multiplayer formats where its evasive and protective traits shine.


How to beat

The Simic Sky Swallower is a powerhouse of the skies in the world of MTG, commanding respect with its imposing presence and formidable abilities. Its shroud ability shields it from targeted spells, and the flying and trample characteristics ensure it can deal damage even when blockers are present. This combination creates a substantial hurdle for opponents to overcome.

Conquering the Simic Sky Swallower calls for strategic card play, considering its shroud ability negates targeted removal. Board wipes, such as Wrath of God or Damnation, can clear the field regardless of shroud. Alternatively, cards that change the rules of combat or affect all creatures, like Settle the Wreckage or Mass Manipulation, can level the playing field. Employing indirect tactics like these is key to handling the threat posed by Simic Sky Swallower, ensuring you maintain control of the game’s tempo despite its powerful presence overhead.

In essence, while the Simic Sky Swallower presents a monumental challenge in MTG, it’s not invincible. Players must pivot their strategies to utilize global effects or rule-altering spells to neutralize this leviathan and regain dominance in their matches.


BurnMana Recommendations

Embracing the behemoth that is Simic Sky Swallower means bolstering your MTG collection with a creature that excels in power and protection. Its resilience on the battlefield can be a game-changer, especially in metas where single-target removal is prevalent. While not without its challenges, including high mana cost and color specificity, the Sky Swallower’s strengths often justify its inclusion in your deck. For those looking to harness the full might of this aerial giant and develop strategies to overcome its few weaknesses, delve further into our in-depth resources. Enhance your arsenal and soar to victory with the Simic Sky Swallower.


Cards like Simic Sky Swallower

The Simic Sky Swallower is an impactful creature in the realm of MTG, sharing space with other flying behemoths such as the Inkwell Leviathan. What sets the Simic Sky Swallower apart is its shroud ability, ensuring it can’t be the target of spells or abilities, a feature that Inkwell Leviathan lacks. However, the Leviathan brings to the table its own distinct trait — Islandwalk, allowing it to be unblockable as long as the opponent controls an Island.

Among its peers, we also find the likes of Sphinx of the Final Word. This card shares the untargetable aspect with Simic Sky Swallower, presenting itself as a potent finisher in blue-based control decks. The Sphinx trumps when it comes to instants and sorcery spells, as they can’t be countered, providing a significant strategic edge.

In essence, when evaluating the Simic Sky Swallower against its counterparts, it’s clear why it’s a staple in decks that favor potent, evasive creatures. Its resilience to targeted removal grants it a secure position in the MTG lineup, especially for players valuing a steadfast presence on the battlefield.

Inkwell Leviathan - MTG Card versions
Sphinx of the Final Word - MTG Card versions
Inkwell Leviathan - Conflux (CON)
Sphinx of the Final Word - Oath of the Gatewatch (OGW)

Cards similar to Simic Sky Swallower by color, type and mana cost

Koma, Cosmos Serpent - MTG Card versions
Tishana, Voice of Thunder - MTG Card versions
Koma, Cosmos Serpent - Murders at Karlov Manor Commander (MKC)
Tishana, Voice of Thunder - The Lost Caverns of Ixalan Commander (LCC)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Simic Sky Swallower MTG card by a specific set like Dissension and Commander 2011, 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 Simic Sky Swallower and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Simic Sky Swallower Magic the Gathering card was released in 7 different sets between 2006-05-05 and 2020-11-20. Illustrated by rk post.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12006-05-05DissensionDIS 1302003normalblackrk post
22011-06-17Commander 2011CMD 2262003normalblackrk post
32015-02-27Duel Decks: Elspeth vs. KioraDDO 562015normalblackrk post
42017-03-17Modern Masters 2017MM3 1822015normalblackrk post
52017-11-17Iconic MastersIMA 2082015normalblackrk post
62019-02-15RNA Guild KitGK2 1242015normalblackrk post
72020-11-20Commander LegendsCMR 4522015normalblackrk post

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Simic Sky Swallower has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

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