Skirk VolcanistHow it works & interactions with other cards

Unpacking the Morph Cost

Skirk Volcanist features a unique Morph cost. Instead of paying mana to turn it face up, you must sacrifice two Mountains. Because this is a special action, it does not use the stack and cannot be responded to. You simply pay the cost and the creature is immediately face up, triggering its damage ability.

Dividing the Damage

When Skirk Volcanist is turned face up, you choose one, two, or three target creatures and announce how the 3 damage will be divided among them. Each target must be assigned at least 1 damage. If a target becomes illegal before the ability resolves, the damage division remains the same, but the damage that would have been dealt to the illegal target is simply lost.

Strategic Timing

Since Morphing doesn't use the stack, you can wait until the last possible moment to flip Skirk Volcanist. This is particularly effective during the declare blockers step. By sacrificing two Mountains, you can remove potential blockers or attackers before combat damage is dealt, all without needing open mana.

Common Pitfalls

Remember that you cannot choose zero targets; you must choose at least one. Additionally, you cannot choose to deal 0 damage to one of your targets. If you only have one target, it must take all 3 damage. Also, ensure the lands you sacrifice have the subtype 'Mountain', as non-basic lands without that subtype cannot be used to pay the cost.

Interaction examples

Goblin Artillery Support

Morph

You cast Skirk Volcanist face down using the Morph rules for 3 mana. On a later turn, while the stack is empty or in response to an opponent's action, you sacrifice two Mountains. Skirk Volcanist turns face up immediately, and you put its triggered ability on the stack, targeting up to three creatures to receive a total of 3 damage.

Double Volcanic Eruption

Roaming Throne

With Roaming Throne on the battlefield naming 'Goblin', you turn your face-down Skirk Volcanist face up by sacrificing two Mountains. Because Skirk Volcanist is a Goblin, Roaming Throne causes its 'when turned face up' ability to trigger twice. You can now choose two sets of targets, potentially dealing a total of 6 damage across the board.

Resource Management

Solemn Simulacrum

If you are low on Mountains to sacrifice, use Solemn Simulacrum to search your library for a Mountain and put it onto the battlefield. Once you have enough Mountains, you can turn Skirk Volcanist face up. If the damage from Skirk Volcanist targets and destroys your own Solemn Simulacrum, you will even get to draw a card from the Golem's death trigger.