Skirk ShamanHow it works & interactions with other cards

Understanding Evasion

Skirk Shaman features a specific evasion ability that restricts which creatures are eligible to be declared as blockers. According to the Comprehensive Rules, if a creature has an ability that says it can't be blocked except by certain types of creatures, a block is only legal if the blocker meets at least one of those criteria. For Skirk Shaman, it requires the blocker to be an artifact creature, a red creature, or both.

Step-by-Step Resolution

When you move to the declare blockers step, your opponent must check the attributes of their creatures. If they attempt to block Skirk Shaman with a green, non-artifact creature, the game rules prevent that action from being legal. The opponent must choose a creature that is either an artifact creature or has a red color indicator/mana cost. Once a legal blocker is declared, combat damage proceeds as normal.

Common Mistakes

A common point of confusion is thinking that a creature must be both red and an artifact to block Skirk Shaman. However, the 'and/or' wording means that being just an artifact creature is enough, and being just a red creature is also enough. Another mistake is forgetting that color-shifting effects can change eligibility; if a creature loses its red color and is not an artifact, it can no longer block the Shaman.

When to Play It

Skirk Shaman is most effective when facing decks that rely on green, white, or blue non-artifact creatures. It serves as a consistent source of damage or a way to trigger 'combat damage to a player' abilities. In a Goblin tribal deck, its evasion ensures you can keep the pressure on even if the board becomes stalled with ground units.

Interaction examples

Blocking with Colorless Artifacts

Solemn Simulacrum

If you attack with Skirk Shaman and your opponent controls Solemn Simulacrum, they are allowed to block. Even though Solemn Simulacrum is colorless and not red, it satisfies the requirement of being an artifact creature.

Navigating Tribal Defenses

Roaming Throne

Even if Roaming Throne has chosen a non-red creature type, such as 'Human' or 'Elf,' it remains an artifact creature. Therefore, it can legally be declared as a blocker against Skirk Shaman. The Shaman's evasion does not look at creature types like Golem or Shaman, only colors and the artifact supertype.