Corsair Captain MTG Card


Generates a Treasure token on entry, offering resource and card advantage to bolster your position. Ramps mana and supports multicolored spells, paving the way for swift and strategic advances. Instant utility of Treasure token aids flexibility, allowing for unexpected strategies during play.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Human Pirate
Abilities Treasure
Power 2
Toughness 2

Text of card

When Corsair Captain enters the battlefield, create a Treasure token. (It's an artifact with ", Sacrifice this artifact: Add one mana of any color.") Other Pirates you control get +1/+1.

"Lungs full of sea air and a hold full of loot. Ah, what a life!"


Cards like Corsair Captain

Corsair Captain is a key card for players building a Pirate-themed deck in Magic: The Gathering. It’s often likened to other Pirate lords such as Admiral Beckett Brass, which also bolsters your crew with encouragement and strength. Both captains incentivize players to set sail with a crew of Pirates, providing a sizeable advantage. However, Corsair Captain earns its keep by creating a Treasure token when it enters the battlefield—a boon for any treasure-hunting marauder.

Then we have Kitesail Freebooter, a card that shines in disrupting opponents’ hands but doesn’t offer the anthemic boost of Corsair Captain. Moreover, the Captain stands strong with stat increases, helping your Pirates weather opposing storms more effectively. Look towards Fathom Fleet Captain for an alternative that’s not only bolstering your board by creating more Pirates but also demanding attention as a must-answer threat for your adversaries.

Ultimately, Corsair Captain makes a splash in Pirate tribal decks, offering both a rallying cry for pirates to do extra damage and a subtle economy with its Treasure token, contributing to strong synergistic builds in the world of Magic: The Gathering.

Admiral Beckett Brass - MTG Card versions
Kitesail Freebooter - MTG Card versions
Fathom Fleet Captain - MTG Card versions
Admiral Beckett Brass - MTG Card versions
Kitesail Freebooter - MTG Card versions
Fathom Fleet Captain - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Corsair Captain by color, type and mana cost

Wall of Water - MTG Card versions
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Apprentice Wizard - MTG Card versions
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Animating Faerie // Bring to Life - MTG Card versions
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Grazilaxx, Illithid Scholar - MTG Card versions
Queen of Ice // Rage of Winter - MTG Card versions
Mistform Warchief - MTG Card versions
Blind Phantasm - MTG Card versions
Academy Researchers - MTG Card versions
Wall of Water - MTG Card versions
Prodigal Sorcerer - MTG Card versions
Apprentice Wizard - MTG Card versions
Homarid - MTG Card versions
Daring Apprentice - MTG Card versions
Time Elemental - MTG Card versions
Rootwater Shaman - MTG Card versions
Wind Drake - MTG Card versions
Volrath's Shapeshifter - MTG Card versions
Stronghold Biologist - MTG Card versions
Quicksilver Wall - MTG Card versions
Wall of Air - MTG Card versions
Phantom Warrior - MTG Card versions
Animating Faerie // Bring to Life - MTG Card versions
Ghost of Ramirez DePietro - MTG Card versions
Grazilaxx, Illithid Scholar - MTG Card versions
Queen of Ice // Rage of Winter - MTG Card versions
Mistform Warchief - MTG Card versions
Blind Phantasm - MTG Card versions
Academy Researchers - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Corsair Captain makes an immediate impact by creating a Treasure token when it enters the battlefield. This token can later be converted into card draw, offering the potential to pull ahead in resources.

Resource Acceleration: The Treasure token provided by Corsair Captain can be utilized to ramp up your mana resources. It’s especially beneficial in decks that focus on casting high-cost spells earlier than usual or those that require diverse mana sources for multicolored spells.

Instant Speed: While Corsair Captain itself may not be instant speed, the Treasure token it creates can be sacrificed at any point in the game. This versatility offers the adaptability to execute strategic plays or unexpectedly cast spells during your opponent’s turn, keeping them off-balance.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Corsair Captain comes with no upfront discard requirement, but as a Pirate tribal card, it synergizes best when committing to a specific creature type, which may inadvertently force you to discard non-pirate options during deck building or draw for a consistent strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: Requiring two blue mana and one colorless, Corsair Captain’s mana cost can be restrictive. It requires a deck with a solid blue mana base, potentially limiting its utility in multi-colored pirate decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a total casting cost of three mana, Corsair Captain may seem efficient, but within the aggressive pirate archetype, this cost is comparatively high, potentially slowing down faster, low-curve strategies that aim to overwhelm opponents quickly.


Reasons to Include Corsair Captain in Your Collection

Versatility: Corsair Captain is a solid choice for decks that require leadership on the high seas. This card shines in Pirate-themed decks and because of its ability to create Treasure tokens, it can slide easily into any build looking to ramp up mana or utilize token strategies.

Combo Potential: This commander-worthy creature brings a lot to the table with its potential to initiate combos, especially in decks that capitalize on artifact synergy. The Treasure tokens it provides can fuel a range of powerful plays, from casting high-cost spells to enabling sacrifice mechanics for gain.

Meta-Relevance: As the game evolves, so does the importance of cards like Corsair Captain. In a meta that celebrates tribal themes and values token generation, this card holds its weight in gold. The treasure and power boost to other Pirates can turn the tides in your favor in matches that hinge on tempo and synergy.


How to Beat

The Corsair Captain is a card that can be a real powerhouse in the right Magic: The Gathering deck, often found steering the helm of pirate-themed decks. Its presence on the board is non-negligible; it buffs other pirates and even treasures a path towards your victory with its ability to create a Treasure token when it enters the battlefield. This card can snowball into a price too steep for opponents without a clear strategy.

To tackle the Corsair Captain effectively, consider employing removal spells before the Captain’s effect can proliferate. Targeted spells like Murder or Fatal Push can eliminate this threat before your opponent gets the chance to build a formidable board presence. Additionally, employing board wipes like Wrath of God or Damnation after Corsair Captain is played can neutralize the pirate fleet it aims to empower. It’s also beneficial to disrupt the mana base to prevent it from entering the battlefield in the first place. Counterspells, land destruction, or even graveyard retrieval disruption are tools that prevent the Captain from giving your opponent an upper hand.

Remember, the essence of overcoming a Corsair Captain lies in preemptive measures and maintaining control of the board—an effective strategy in the Magic: The Gathering landscape, where a single admirable sea rover can turn the tides of the match.


BurnMana Recommendations

If your deck is calling for a valiant leader to navigate the treacherous Magic the Gathering waters, look no further than Corsair Captain. Perfect for reinforcing pirate squads and ramping up your mana game with handy Treasure tokens, this commander sets a course for victory. Whether seeking to optimize your existing pirate-themed deck or curious about branching into new tactical territories, the utility and combo potential of Corsair Captain can’t be overstated. Dive deeper with us and discover how to harness this card’s full power and ensure your fleet is battle-ready to dominate your next encounter.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Corsair Captain MTG card by a specific set like Jumpstart and The Lost Caverns of Ixalan Commander, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.

For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.

Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.

Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Corsair Captain and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Corsair Captain Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2020-07-17 and 2023-11-17. Illustrated by Victor Adame Minguez.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12020-07-17JumpstartJMP 112015NormalBlackVictor Adame Minguez
22023-11-17The Lost Caverns of Ixalan CommanderLCC 1492015NormalBlackVictor Adame Minguez

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Corsair Captain has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
CommanderLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
GladiatorLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Corsair Captain card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2020-06-23 Because damage remains marked on a creature until the damage is removed as the turn ends, nonlethal damage dealt to Pirates you control may become lethal if Corsair Captain leaves the battlefield during that turn.