Skeletal Scrying

Description

Skeletal Scrying, card number 125 in the 2017 Commander set (C17), is an Uncommon Instant that has become a staple in decks built around Graveyard synergy. Designed by Bob Petillo, this black card allows players to leverage resources discarded or destroyed during gameplay to generate significant card advantage. The spell requires a mana cost of {X}{B}, making it accessible early in the game while offering scalable power depending on the value of X. The core mechanism of Skeletal Scrying involves exiling a number of cards from your graveyard equal to X. In return, the caster draws X cards but also loses X life. This trade-off creates a strategic decision point: players must balance their hand size and board position against their remaining life total. For decks that aggressively fill the graveyard with artifacts, creatures, or sorceries, this card provides a reliable engine to refill hands and maintain pressure on opponents. As part of the Commander format's curated experience, Skeletal Scrying fits seamlessly into Black-aligned strategies that prioritize recursion and resource management. Its Uncommon rarity ensures it remains a consistent inclusion in many competitive and casual lists without dominating the secondary market. Collectors and players alike appreciate its elegant design and functional depth, which encapsulates the strategic complexity of the Magic: The Gathering trading card game. The card’s versatility makes it a valuable addition to any library focused on Graveyard themes, offering both offensive potential and defensive resilience through card draw. Whether building a new Commander deck or expanding an existing collection, this release represents a key component of modern Black magic.