Scuzzback Scrapper MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	1
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Goblin Warrior
Abilities	Wither
Released	2008-05-02
Set symbol
Set name	Shadowmoor
Set code	SHM
Power	1
Toughness	1
Number	217
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Scott Altmann

Key Takeaways

Scuzzback Scrapper offers card advantage by potentially drawing more resources when played.
Its additional mana acceleration can be pivotal for deploying threats earlier in the game.
Flexible in use, it can become a surprise blocker due to its reanimation potential.

Text of card

Wither (This deals damage to creatures in the form of -1/-1 counters.)

The Scuzzback gang scavenges rusty armor covered in barbed protrusions. No threat is more effective than the threat of infection.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: When you play Scuzzback Scrapper, you get the opportunity to bolster your forces while potentially drawing into more useful cards. This creature can help you stay ahead in the numbers game, giving you a valuable edge on the battlefield.

Resource Acceleration: Scuzzback Scrapper’s ability to bring additional mana resources to the table can be a game-changer. With the extra mana, you’re able to deploy more threats or hold up mana for key interactions, aiding you in outpacing your opponent and taking control of the game’s tempo.

Instant Speed: Although Scuzzback Scrapper itself doesn’t operate at instant speed, it can be a formidable surprise blocker when reanimated or returned to the battlefield during an opponent’s turn. This can lead to favorable trades or prevent crucial damage, making it a flexible asset in responsive gameplay.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One notable drawback of the Scuzzback Scrapper is the necessity to discard another card when you’re aiming to utilize its madness ability. This condition demands players to potentially forfeit valuable cards in hand, which could reduce strategic options during gameplay.

Specific Mana Cost: Deploying Scuzzback Scrapper requires a precise combination of mana colors—red and green—to cast it effectively. This restrains its application predominantly to decks that can generate these colors, making it less versatile across a diverse range of deck types.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that is set at three mana, including two that must be red, Scuzzback Scrapper’s cost is considered high given its moderate power and toughness. In this mana range, players might find other creatures that provide a greater board presence or come with additional beneficial abilities.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Scuzzback Scrapper is surprisingly flexible for slotting into various deck types. With its graft and regenerate abilities, it can serve multiple roles from board presence to a reliable blocker that can protect your life total.

Combo Potential: This creature can positively interact with strategies centering on +1/+1 counters. It’s capable of working in tandem with evolve mechanics or any other synergy that benefits from moving counters around the battlefield.

Meta-Relevance: In games where longer, grindy matches are the norm, Scuzzback Scrapper’s durability makes it a resilient choice. Its ability to withstand removal and persist on the board can give players a significant advantage in attrition wars.

How to beat

Scuzzback Scrapper presents an interesting challenge for players in the Magic: The Gathering landscape. The card’s unique prowess lies in its persist ability, offering a sturdy defense mechanism that can make removing it from the battlefield a hassle. However, there are strategies you can employ to outmaneuver this persistent creature.

One effective strategy involves utilizing exile or bounce effects to circumvent the persist ability altogether. Cards like Path to Exile ensure that Scuzzback Scrapper doesn’t return to the fray, while a well-timed Unsummon can reset its persist counter, providing a clean slate for a more permanent solution. Another angle is to focus on cards that can place -1/-1 counters on creatures, balancing out the +1/+1 counters that Scuzzback Scrapper would receive from persist and neutralizing the ability.

Thinking ahead about these tactics can give you the upper hand. By anticipating the Scuzzer’s potential return after a fatal blow, you can plan your moves to ensure it stays off the board, helping to maintain your strategic advantage. Remember, preparation and understanding your enemy’s strengths are key in devising a winning game plan.

Cards like Scuzzback Scrapper

In the diverse world of Magic: The Gathering, Scuzzback Scrapper stands out for its gritty resilience. This card invites comparison with other creatures known for their persist ability, such as Safehold Elite. Safehold Elite, like Scuzzback Scrapper, can come back to the battlefield after being destroyed, albeit with a -1/-1 counter. While Scuzzback Scrapper brings an aggressive 5/2 stat line that can be a formidable force, Safehold Elite offers a more balanced 2/2 spread, giving it versatility in both offense and defense.

Another creature with persist to consider is Rendclaw Trow. While Rendclaw Trow comes with a less imposing 2/2 body compared to the Scrapper, it compensates with the additional utility of granting two bodies upon its initial demise thanks to persist – yielding a total of three blockers or attackers with strategic placement.

Focusing on the comparison reveals how Scuzzback Scrapper fits within the persist creature lineup in Magic: The Gathering. Each card brings its unique benefits to the table, with Scuzzback Scrapper’s strength lying in its hard-hitting potential upon returning to the fray. Players looking for a creature with staying power and hefty damage output will certainly give the Scrapper a second look.

Cards similar to Scuzzback Scrapper by color, type and mana cost

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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Scuzzback Scrapper MTG card by a specific set like Shadowmoor, 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 Scuzzback Scrapper and other MTG cards: