SkinthinnerHow it works & interactions with other cards

What Skinthinner Does

Skinthinner is a creature that can be played face down for three generic mana as a 2/2 creature. Its primary strength lies in its triggered ability: when it is turned face up by paying its Morph cost of {3}{B}{B}, it destroys a target nonblack creature. Crucially, this effect prevents the target from being regenerated, making it a permanent solution to many threats.

Step-by-Step Resolution

First, you cast Skinthinner face down using the Morph ability. Later, you pay the Morph cost to turn it face up; this action does not use the stack and cannot be responded to. Once it is face up, the triggered ability goes on the stack and you choose a legal target. If the target is still legal when the ability resolves, that creature is destroyed and cannot use regeneration shields to survive.

Common Mistakes

A common error is trying to target a black creature; however, Skinthinner specifically requires a 'nonblack' target. Additionally, players sometimes think the ability triggers when the card leaves the battlefield or is revealed from the hand. According to official rulings, the ability only triggers when the permanent is actually turned face up on the battlefield.

When to Play It

Skinthinner is most effective when your opponent has a high-value nonblack creature that you need to remove without using a traditional spell. Since turning a card face up is a special action, you can wait until the last possible second—such as during the declare blockers step—to flip it and destroy an attacker.

Interaction examples

Taking Down an Artifact Flyer

Ornithopter of Paradise

If your opponent controls Ornithopter of Paradise, you can pay {3}{B}{B} to turn your face-down Skinthinner face up. Since the Ornithopter is a colorless artifact creature, it is a legal 'nonblack' target and is immediately destroyed.

Triggering Death Effects

Blood Artist

With Blood Artist on the battlefield, turning Skinthinner face up to destroy a creature will trigger Blood Artist's ability. This results in your opponent losing 1 life and you gaining 1 life as the targeted creature hits the graveyard.

Utilizing the Morph Mechanic

Morph

You can use the Morph reminder card to keep Skinthinner's identity a secret. Your opponent will only see a generic 2/2 creature until you choose to pay the Morph cost, at which point the Skinthinner is revealed and its destruction ability is placed on the stack.