Skull Rend MTG Card


Skull Rend is a strategic card that can lead to indirect resource acceleration and significant disruption. Its dual nature requires a specific Rakdos mana base and comes with a substantial mana cost. Effective against strategies reliant on card retention, Skull Rend is a valuable addition to your collection.
Skull Rend - Return to Ravnica
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityCommon
TypeSorcery
Released2012-10-05
Set symbol
Set nameReturn to Ravnica
Set codeRTR
Number195
Frame2003
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byGreg Staples

Text of card

Skull Rend deals 2 damage to each opponent. Those players each discard two cards at random.

"We could never accept anyone with a face that pretty or a mind that sane." —Nyoser, Gore-House ringleader


Cards like Skull Rend

Skull Rend occupies an interesting niche in Magic: The Gathering as it synergizes damage with card disadvantage for your opponent. Comparable to Blightning, another Rakdos favorite, both cards force the opponent to discard and take damage. However, Skull Rend edges out Blightning by making the opponent discard two cards at random, which could potentially disrupt more complex strategies.

As we explore analogs, Mind Rot emerges as a basic yet effective spell, focusing solely on the discard aspect without the damage. The random discard element isn’t present, giving the opponent the choice and reducing the potential impact on their game plan. Meanwhile, Hymn to Tourach, though not modern legal, is another potent spell causing random discard at a lower mana cost, yet lacks the direct damage that makes Skull Rend formidable in its scheme.

Assessing these cards, Skull Rend proves its merit in MTG as a blend of disruption and damage, making it a card that can swing the momentum of the game with a single casting. Its role in the Rakdos arsenal can’t be ignored, especially for players aiming to unbalance their opponent with a combination of pain and unpredictability.

Blightning - MTG Card versions
Mind Rot - MTG Card versions
Hymn to Tourach - MTG Card versions
Blightning - MTG Card versions
Mind Rot - MTG Card versions
Hymn to Tourach - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Skull Rend by color, type and mana cost

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Wake to Slaughter - MTG Card versions
Allure of the Unknown - MTG Card versions
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Traitor's Roar - MTG Card versions
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Angrath's Fury - MTG Card versions
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Card Pros

Card Advantage: Skull Rend shines at disrupting the opponent’s hand by making them discard two cards, potentially undercutting their strategy and giving you an upper hand in terms of resources.

Resource Acceleration: Although Skull Rend itself doesn’t directly provide resource acceleration, the card advantage gained can effectively lead to indirect resource acceleration by hampering your opponent’s board development.

Instant Speed: As a sorcery, Skull Rend cannot be cast at instant speed; however, its impact on a match can be so decisive when played strategically at the right moment, setting the stage for a game-winning move on your next turn.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One of the drawbacks of Skull Rend is that it forces opponents to discard two cards, but it doesn’t affect their board state or immediate playing capability. This could be less impactful if your opponent has a strategy that benefits from cards in their graveyard or if they possess a significant hand size advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: Skull Rend’s casting cost demands both black and red mana, making it less flexible for decks that are not specifically tailored to a Rakdos (black/red) mana base. This limitation can hinder deck variety and may require additional resources to ensure a consistent mana flow.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of five mana, Skull Rend sits at a point on the mana curve where players expect to cast game-changing spells. While the card can disrupt your opponent’s hand, the cost is significant when compared to other options that might provide direct removal or stronger control elements at the same or lower mana value.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Skull Rend slams into multiple deck strategies with ease. It serves as a tool for aggression in burn decks, or as disruption in control setups. Its ability to hit each opponent makes it a card that can pivot between singular target impact and widespread influence.

Combo Potential: This card shines in scenarios where you’re looking to disrupt hand states while dealing damage. It pairs well with cards and mechanics that trigger off discarded cards or an opponent losing life, forming a disruptive combo that hampers your adversary’s ability to execute their plan.

Meta-Relevance: When the environment is ripe with players holding onto key cards for later turns, Skull Rend becomes a significant threat. It prunes an opponent’s hand and lifepoints, which can be crucial in shifting the tide of games where resource advantage dictates the victor.


How to beat

Skull Rend is a formidable card that can cause significant disruption by stripping away an opponent’s resources. To effectively neutralize its impact, players need to be tactical. Cards with effects that protect the player’s hand, such as Witchbane Orb that grants hexproof, can nullify Skull Rend’s discard ability. Moreover, employing creatures with the ability to regenerate or using instant speed spells to draw cards can diminish the damage inflicted by this Rakdos spell.

Another strategy includes maintaining a low hand size to reduce Skull Rend’s potential damage. This can be achieved by deploying cards quicker or leaning on abilities that function well with fewer cards in hand. Additionally, cards like Leyline of Sanctity not only safeguard a player’s hand from being targeted but also absorb the burn damage, rendering Skull Rend virtually ineffective in such scenarios. By implementing these techniques, players can lessen the blow dealt by this potent discard spell and maintain control over the game’s pace and their resources.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Skull Rend MTG card by a specific set like Return to Ravnica, 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 Skull Rend and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Skull Rend has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2012-10-01 Each of your opponents will discard cards, even if some or all of the damage is prevented or redirected.
2012-10-01 Skull Rend doesn’t require any targets.