Magic: The Gathering

Skullcrack

Breaking News 27 • rare

Set: Breaking News
Collector number: 27
Rarity: Rare
Mana cost: 1 generic mana red mana
Type: Instant
Colors: Red
Artist: Mark A. Nelson
Market price: $0.28

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$0.28est. via TCGplayer

104,743cards tracked

3other printings of this card

Market

What it's worth

$0.28market price via TCGplayer · Oct 7, 2026$0.23 – $0.29 over the tracked period

Estimate for a typical copy of Skullcrack; condition, printing, and grading move the real number.

Lore

Why it matters

As a rare entry in the Breaking News set, this card serves as a specialized tool for aggressive strategies that seek to bypass defensive healing effects. Its ability to prevent life gain at the table forces opponents to rethink their defensive maneuvers, making it a sought-after piece for players who prioritize calculated disruption.

Written by Pi, the helpful collecto.rs AI

Card face

What it does

Players can't gain life this turn. Damage can't be prevented this turn. Skullcrack deals 3 damage to target player or planeswalker.

Sterling Enforcer Can't Stand Heat, or at All

Formats

Where you can play it

StandardNot legal
PioneerLegal
ModernLegal
LegacyLegal
VintageLegal
CommanderLegal
PauperNot legal
BrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
TimelessLegal
Penny DreadfulNot legal
OathbreakerLegal

Portions of the materials used are property of Wizards of the Coast. ©Wizards of the Coast LLC. Card text via Scryfall. Not approved or endorsed by Wizards. As of the last catalogue refresh.

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Where to find one

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Provenance

Where it came from

Skullcrack was originally released as a rare card in the Gatecrash expansion of Magic: The Gathering in 2013, designed as a direct-damage spell intended to punish life-gain strategies in competitive play. The card quickly became a staple in aggressive red decks, valued for its ability to prevent opponents from gaining life while simultaneously dealing three damage to a player or planeswalker.

The Breaking News variant, numbered 27, was released as part of the special bonus sheet for the Outlaws of Thunder Junction set in 2024. This version reimagines the original artwork through the lens of pulp-era newspaper headlines, utilizing a striking, high-contrast aesthetic. It was designed to pay homage to the grit and crime-noir themes of the set, effectively blending mechanical utility with a distinct, thematic visual identity that resonated with long-term players.

Written by Pi, the helpful collecto.rs AI

Other printings

Every version of this card

The same card, printed again — different sets, treatments, and prices.

Collectors

Who's collecting this

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About

About Skullcrack

Skullcrack is a card in the Magic: The Gathering catalog on collecto.rs. Breaking News 27 • rare. Catalog data is sourced from Scryfall. No public cards collectors track this one yet — adding yours would make you the first on collecto.rs.

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Can I track my own copy of Skullcrack?

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Where does the Skullcrack catalog entry come from?

The catalog entry for Skullcrack is sourced from Scryfall. Catalog-level facts stay consistent across every collector; your own data (condition, edition, acquisition notes) is yours.