Skyhunter SkirmisherHow it works & interactions with other cards

Double the Impact

The core of Skyhunter Skirmisher is the double strike keyword. This ability changes how the creature participates in the combat phase by allowing it to deal damage during two distinct steps: the first-strike combat damage step and the regular combat damage step. Because it also has flying, it can only be blocked by creatures with flying or reach, making it very likely that both strikes will land directly on your opponent.

Resolving Combat Step by Step

When Skyhunter Skirmisher attacks and is not blocked, combat proceeds as follows: First, the game creates a first-strike damage step where the Skirmisher deals damage equal to its power. Next, the game proceeds to the regular combat damage step. If the Skirmisher is still on the battlefield, it deals damage equal to its power again. If it is blocked, it deals its first-strike damage to the blocker; if that damage is enough to destroy the blocker, the Skirmisher typically won't deal damage in the second step unless it also has trample.

Common Pitfalls

A common mistake is assuming that Skyhunter Skirmisher triggers 'enters-the-battlefield' abilities multiple times because it is a Knight or a Cat. While it is a potent attacker, double strike only affects how it deals combat damage, not how its triggered abilities work. Additionally, if the Skirmisher loses double strike after the first-strike damage step but before the regular damage step, it will not deal damage a second time.

When to Deploy the Skirmisher

This creature is best utilized when you can increase its power. Since double strike effectively doubles any power buffs, equipment or enchantments are highly efficient here. It serves as an excellent early-to-mid-game pressure tool that forces opponents to have specific air defense or removal spells immediately.

Interaction examples

Doubling Down on Synergy

Roaming Throne

If you have Roaming Throne on the battlefield and choose 'Cat' or 'Knight', it will not cause Skyhunter Skirmisher to strike more than twice. Double strike is a static ability, not a triggered ability. Roaming Throne only affects abilities that use 'when', 'whenever', or 'at'.

Combat Sequence vs. Solemn Simulacrum

Solemn Simulacrum

If your opponent blocks Skyhunter Skirmisher with Solemn Simulacrum, the Skirmisher deals damage in the first-strike step. Solemn Simulacrum receives 1 damage (lethal) and dies. Because the blocker is removed during the first step, the Skirmisher remains 'blocked' and will not deal damage to the opponent in the second step, but it survives the encounter unscathed.

Unimpeded Aerial Assault

When Skyhunter Skirmisher attacks an opponent with no flying or reach blockers, it deals 1 damage during the first-strike damage step and 1 damage during the regular combat damage step, resulting in a total of 2 life lost for the defender.