Sky Swallower – Guildpact MTG Review

David
Fanany
Player
since
1995

And you thought big creatures had big drawbacks in the Old School card pool. I suppose Guildpact was sixteen years ago. Note, however, that Sky Swallower isn’t automatically bad just for the sake of having a drawback. Yes, five mana is too cheap for an 8/8 flier even now, but you can also use that mass donation ability as part of a cute, janky combo. There are various ways to counter the triggered ability or steal your permanents back, or even just give them a bunch of things that deal damage to them or otherwise disadvantage them. I’m not saying you should expect to win a huge number of casual games with this guy; I am, however, saying it would be hilarious.

Constructed: 1/5
Casual: 3/5
Limited: 2/5 (if you can time it so they only get lands or other things that help them relatively less, then maybe?)
Multiplayer: 2/5
EDH/Commander: 2/5

Five mana for an 8/8 with flying is one of those deals that sounds too good to be true, right? And it is here, because getting an Absolute Unit requires you to surrender all other things you control. There are ways to not completely get hosed by Sky Swallower (Torpor Orb, Hushwing Gryff, Stifle/Trickbind/etc.), but you’re going to lose gloriously if you try to play this without making the appropriate contingencies. If you do get it out without surrendering all of your things, an 8/8 with flying can end the game in short order, but I’d say the Simic definitely improved on the Sky Swallower in Dissension.

Constructed: 1.25
Casual: 3 (needs some support to work, but Torpor Orb is pretty good for it)
Limited: 1.5
Multiplayer: 1.75
Commander: 1.75 (more ways to suppress its effect, but more ways for it to blow up in your face)