Skophos Warleader MTG Card


Skophos Warleader - Theros Beyond Death
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Minotaur Warrior
Released2020-01-24
Set symbol
Set nameTheros Beyond Death
Set codeTHB
Power 4
Toughness 5
Number154
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred bySvetlin Velinov

Key Takeaways

  1. Enables card advantage by offering library manipulation when it becomes a spell target.
  2. Promotes resource acceleration and can deter opponents from targeting it, sustaining your hand.
  3. Works well with instant-speed spells, adding strategic depth to your turn-by-turn play.

Text of card

, Sacrifice another creature or an enchantment: Skophos Warleader gets +1/+0 and gains menace until end of turn. (It can't be blocked except by two or more creatures.)

The minotaur polis of Skophos boasts grand temples to the god of slaughter.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Skophos Warleader offers a distinct edge when it comes to card advantage. Whenever it becomes the target of a spell, its ability allows you to rummage through your library, potentially swapping a less useful card in hand for a new option off the top of your deck. This can be leveraged to sift through your library more quickly and get to the key cards you need.

Resource Acceleration: Skophos Warleader can be a boon in resource acceleration as well. Its presence on the battlefield may deter opponents from targeting it with spells, helping you preserve your resources. And should it be targeted, the triggered ability ensures you replace the card possibly lost, keeping your hand filled and ready to react.

Instant Speed: While Skophos Warleader itself is not an instant, it interacts well with instant-speed spells in your repertoire. You can respond to your opponent’s actions with instants while the threat of triggering Warleader’s ability looms, adding a layer of strategy to how and when you play your cards during each turn.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Skophos Warleader demands that you discard a card to activate its crucial ability. This becomes a steep price to pay, especially when your hand is already running low on options or when every card is pivotal for your strategy progression.

Specific Mana Cost: With a requirement for both red and black mana, Skophos Warleader fits primarily into Rakdos decks, potentially limiting its versatility across various deck builds. Players who operate outside these colors may find it challenging to integrate this card into their decks effectively.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Commanding a mana cost of four, including two specific mana, some players might consider Skophos Warleader costly for its stats and abilities. In a fast-paced game where efficiency is key, there are alternative creatures with lower mana costs or more impactful effects at this cost point.


Reasons to Include Skophos Warleader in Your Collection

Versatility: Skophos Warleader offers a unique advantage by being a robust creature that can perform well in various decks. Its ability to act both as an aggressive beater and a game-ending threat makes it a flexible addition to your arsenal.

Combo Potential: With the right setup, Skophos Warleader can create devastating combinations. Its ability to provide significant power boosts to other creatures makes it a cornerstone in strategies that rely on dealing a lot of damage in a short period of time.

Meta-Relevance: Considering the current competitive scene, a card like Skophos Warleader that can quickly turn the tides of battle is invaluable. It can be especially potent in a meta that’s heavy on creature-focused decks and could become a key player in your lineup.


How to beat

Skophos Warleader presents a dynamic challenge in the arena of Magic: The Gathering. This forceful Minotaur is not only noted for its aggressive approach on the battlefield but also for its potential to inspire an army of followers. When initiating combat, this four-mana menace can grant itself and other Minotaurs you control a substantial power boost. In the crafty game of MTG, overcoming such a card revolves around strategic timing and decisive action. Disrupting its activation with instant-speed removal can prevent the Warleader’s intimidating ability from ever taking effect. Cards that limit your opponent’s ability to declare attackers or utilize combat tricks also create significant obstacles for the Warleader’s success. Preventive measures such as imposing early board control and maintaining it help ensure that Skophos Warleader does not overtake the game when it arrives on the field. By keeping these tactics at the forefront of your strategy, Skophos Warleader can be maneuvered from a worrisome threat to a manageable adversary, ensuring your deck’s dominance remains unchallenged.


Cards like Skophos Warleader

Skophos Warleader stands out as an intriguing combat-enabler in MTG, sharing the battlefield with cards like Warleader’s Helix. Both cards play a role in combat strategies, but Skophos Warleader provides a more creature-centric approach with its ability to grant a buff and menace. This contrasts with Warleader’s Helix, which offers direct damage and life gain.

Comparably, there’s Embercleave, a legendary artifact that significantly boosts a creature’s power and imparts double strike at instant speed. It’s more expensive than Skophos Warleader but can immediately alter the state of play with its flash ability. Another analog in the vein of aggression amplifiers is Iroas, God of Victory. Iroas ensures your attacking creatures are less vulnerable while attacking, a strategic advantage not provided by Skophos Warleader’s menace for just a single creature.

From a strategic perspective, Skophos Warleader has its niche, offering aggressive players a reliable combat trick that can turn the tide of battle in MTG. While it may not have the immediate impact of Embercleave or the consistent board presence of Iroas, its ability to repeatedly provide combat advantages solidifies its role in aggressive MTG decks.

Warleader's Helix - MTG Card versions
Embercleave - MTG Card versions
Iroas, God of Victory - MTG Card versions
Warleader's Helix - MTG Card versions
Embercleave - MTG Card versions
Iroas, God of Victory - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Skophos Warleader MTG card by a specific set like Theros Beyond Death, 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 Skophos Warleader and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Skophos Warleader has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2020-01-24 Multiple instances of menace on the same creature are redundant.

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