Skyshroud Vampire is an absolute monster, and the best vampire ever printed in MTG, while at the same time being one of the cheapest to acquire. This bloodsucking monster is broken because its ability doesn't have a mana cost, and unlike Fallen Angel, it doesn't require you to play any other card, either. What's most frightening about it, isn't that it can attack for 9 the next turn without too much hussle, it's that the strategy to beat it is the opposite of what most players will do. They'll hold their burn spells on their turn, and will try to kill it once you attack them on yours. The result is that your near unstoppable beast will grow too big for their direct damage, AND at the same time will deal a whole lot of damage to them. Of course, it works best in a deck with at least 22 creatures, but keeps being a serious menace in decks with 18. Cards that go well with it are Soulshriek, Vampire Hounds and Rite of Consumption. It also works wonders with 2-3x Death Denied or Shattered Crypt. After having played 10 years this game, the only thing I could recommend you is to trade your Sengir Vampires right away, and get this card pronto! It's really that good.
Vorthosian
★★☆☆☆ (2.5/5.0)(1 vote)
Uh, no it's not. What happens when you discard a creature and it gets Path to Exiled.
Dragoonmike
★☆☆☆☆ (1.5/5.0)(2 votes)
This wasn't that great when Tempest came out let alone being the best vampire of all time.
NV.Collis
★★★☆☆ (3.6/5.0)(5 votes)
This comment is @ Dr Jones.
If your building decks around Skyshroud Vampire and are using cards like Death Denied and Shattered Crypt to keep him well fed, than you will need to add Crypt of Agadeem. Its a perfect pairing... no matter how many creature you have in your grave yard you'll get them all back for just 4 mana sources (not counting this land).
AbyssalManZero
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(1 vote)
Seems like Disturbed Burial would go nicely with him...
Pretty cool vamp, specially where there's no limit to how many creatures you can discard to him and that it's FROM THE HAND and not having to be sacrificed from play...
Todzik
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
The wolf. It doesn't give a damn.
Test-Subject_217601
★★★☆☆ (3.6/5.0)(11 votes)
SURPRISE BUTTSECKS!
Havens
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
basking rootwalla anyone?
Sironos
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(1 vote)
That artist is either very innocent or very perverted...
Shoe2
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(1 vote)
Best way to smash for a bit and then reanimate what you discarded. Vampire Hounds does the same thing in the early game.
Lord_Ascapelion
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
I like how vampires in Rath are basically giant bat-things.
space-coyote
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Back when Tempest was released the obvious combo to use was Living Death
OlvynChuru
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Discard 4 Veilborn Ghouls, play a Swamp, discard 4 Veilborn Ghouls again. That's 19 damage right there.
Comments (13)
What's most frightening about it, isn't that it can attack for 9 the next turn without too much hussle, it's that the strategy to beat it is the opposite of what most players will do. They'll hold their burn spells on their turn, and will try to kill it once you attack them on yours. The result is that your near unstoppable beast will grow too big for their direct damage, AND at the same time will deal a whole lot of damage to them. Of course, it works best in a deck with at least 22 creatures, but keeps being a serious menace in decks with 18. Cards that go well with it are Soulshriek, Vampire Hounds and Rite of Consumption. It also works wonders with 2-3x Death Denied or Shattered Crypt.
After having played 10 years this game, the only thing I could recommend you is to trade your Sengir Vampires right away, and get this card pronto! It's really that good.
If your building decks around Skyshroud Vampire and are using cards like Death Denied and Shattered Crypt to keep him well fed, than you will need to add Crypt of Agadeem. Its a perfect pairing... no matter how many creature you have in your grave yard you'll get them all back for just 4 mana sources (not counting this land).
Pretty cool vamp, specially where there's no limit to how many creatures you can discard to him and that it's FROM THE HAND and not having to be sacrificed from play...