The 1995 Magic: The Gathering Ice Age Skeleton Ship (#301), a legendary Skeleton creature defined by its restrictive mana cost and island-dependency mechanic.
Skeleton Ship
1995 • Magic: The Gathering • Ice Age
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Description
Skeleton Ship, card number 301 from the 1995 Ice Age set, holds a distinct place in Magic: The Gathering history for its complex gameplay requirements. As a legendary creature of the Skeleton subtype, it demands careful resource management, requiring players to control specific land types to remain on the battlefield. This constraint makes it a fascinating study for collectors who appreciate the strategic depth and design evolution of early Magic expansions. The card’s design reflects the icy, survivalist themes prevalent in the Ice Age expansion. It features a mana cost of {3}{U}{B}, reflecting its powerful but conditional nature. When a player controls no Islands, the card must be sacrificed, a mechanic that forces difficult decisions during gameplay. Conversely, when active, it offers a potent ability to place -1/-1 counters on target creatures, providing a tactical advantage in controlling the board state. This interplay between restriction and power is characteristic of the era's design philosophy. For enthusiasts of vintage trading card games, owning a copy of Skeleton Ship represents a connection to a pivotal moment in TCG history. Collectors often seek out these vintage cards not just for their nostalgic value, but for their role in understanding the foundational rules that govern the game today. Whether you are building a vintage collection or studying the lineage of creature types in Magic, Skeleton Ship offers a compelling piece of that narrative. By focusing on catalog-level details and set identity, we help collectors identify and appreciate the nuances of each release. Understanding the specific attributes of cards like Skeleton Ship enhances the collecting experience, allowing enthusiasts to engage with the game's rich history and mechanical diversity. This product serves as a resource for those looking to expand their knowledge and collection of classic TCG items.
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Card Details
The catalog profile below summarizes the card identity, featured subject, and notable collectible traits.
Catalog Profile
The core identity of the card within the set.
Featured Subject
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Featured
Skeleton Ship
Game
Magic: The Gathering
TCG Attributes
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Rare
Amy Weber & Tom Wänerstrand
Card Stock
English
{3}{U}{B}
Legendary Creature — Skeleton
0 / 3
B, U
Card Text
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When you control no Islands, sacrifice Skeleton Ship. {T}: Put a -1/-1 counter on target creature.
"The sea gives up her dead as easily as the soil." —Lim-Dûl, the Necromancer











