Steamcore Scholar MTG Card


Steamcore Scholar helps players draw and maintain a strong hand, pivotal for strategic gameplay. Instant speed plays allow for flexible, reactive strategies enhancing overall deck performance. Card requires careful deck construction due to specific mana and discard conditions.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Weird Detective
Abilities Flying, Vigilance
Power 2
Toughness 2

Text of card

Flying, vigilance When Steamcore Scholar enters the battlefield, draw two cards. Then discard two cards unless you discard an instant or sorcery card or a creature card with flying.

"Hm. That's weird."


Cards like Steamcore Scholar

Steamcore Scholar has carved its niche within the realm of creature-based card advantage in MTG. It bears resemblance to other card-drawing creatures like Elvish Visionary. Although the Visionary offers an immediate card upon entering the battlefield, the Steamcore Scholar requires the player to pay and tap, potentially making card draws accessible each turn.

Yet, the real comparison comes with lorehold card-drawing creatures, such as Honor-Worn Shaku. While this creature also prompts a payment for card draw, it does not necessitate tapping, presenting a slightly different dynamic in play style. Furthermore, the Scholar boasts a beefier body, which proves advantageous in board presence when compared to its lower-statted kin like the Visionary.

Assessing these cards side by side showcases Steamcore Scholar’s potential to be an enduring source of card advantage, especially in decks that capitalize on untapping strategies. While not as immediate as Elvish Visionary and with a different setup compared to Honor-Worn Shaku, the Scholar’s ongoing draw ability could be pivotal in prolonging an MTG player’s card advantage over several turns.

Elvish Visionary - MTG Card versions
Honor-Worn Shaku - MTG Card versions
Elvish Visionary - MTG Card versions
Honor-Worn Shaku - MTG Card versions

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Prodigal Sorcerer - MTG Card versions
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Homarid - MTG Card versions
Wall of Air - MTG Card versions
Daring Apprentice - MTG Card versions
Cloud Elemental - MTG Card versions
Time Elemental - MTG Card versions
Reef Pirates - MTG Card versions
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Wind Drake - MTG Card versions
Volrath's Shapeshifter - MTG Card versions
Clam Session - MTG Card versions
Stronghold Biologist - MTG Card versions
Quicksilver Wall - MTG Card versions
Phantom Warrior - MTG Card versions
Glacial Wall - MTG Card versions
Wormfang Drake - MTG Card versions
Animating Faerie // Bring to Life - MTG Card versions
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Decks using this card

MTG decks using Steamcore Scholar. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Esper ReanimatorEsper Reanimator StandardEsper LegendsPro Tour Thunder Junction
WUBWUB LegacyLegacy Preliminary 2024-04-18
4c Cauldron Combo4c Cauldron Combo Standard4c Cauldron ComboStandard Challenge 64 2024-04-21
Dimir DrawsDimir Draws StandardDimir DrawsStandard Preliminary 2024-03-25
Dimir PhoenixDimir Phoenix ExplorerThe Pizza Box Open: Explorer
DecklistDecklist Free formTorino Tournament - Murders at Karlov Manor
Azorius ControlAzorius Control GladiatorGladiator Proving Grounds: Week 13 2024
Grixis PhoenixGrixis Phoenix PioneerIzzet PhoenixPioneer Preliminary 2024-04-08
UU StandardTraditional Standard Ranked Decklists: April 8, 2024
Dimir MidrangeDimir Midrange StandardDimir DrawsStandard $1k RCQ Invite Cyphacon MTG Weekend

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Steamcore Scholar is constructed to aid players in cycling through their decks efficiently. The innate ability to sift through your library to uncover pivotal spells or land cards ensures that you keep your hand refreshed and ready for the strategic plays ahead.

Resource Acceleration: This card curiously converges the realms of academia and alchemy. By delving into the art of resource acceleration, Steamcore Scholar conjures a burst of mana that could potentially turn the tide of the match, facilitating bigger plays ahead of the curve.

Instant Speed: The true value of this card comes to light at instant speed. This unique timing allows you to optimize your mana usage and react to the evolving battlefield with cunning precision. Having the option to deploy effects on the fly, especially during critical junctions of the match, elevates Steamcore Scholar from a mere card to a formidable arsenal in your MTG tactics.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Steamcore Scholar requires players to discard a card as part of its casting cost. This can be a setback for players who are already dealing with a depleted hand, potentially decreasing their strategic options and leaving them at a disadvantage during crucial moments in the game.

Specific Mana Cost: With a rigid mana cost that includes both blue and red mana, Steamcore Scholar’s inclusion is mainly viable in Izzet decks or those that can reliably produce both colors of mana. This limitation restricts deck diversity and may not fit seamlessly into all strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: At a converted mana cost of three, including one blue and one red, Steamcore Scholar’s ability to draw a card when it enters the battlefield may not justify the investment, especially when there are other options that offer card draw at a lower cost or with additional benefits. Its mana cost becomes a notable consideration when deckbuilding and optimizing mana curves.


Reasons to Include Steamcore Scholar in Your Collection

Versatility: Steamcore Scholar shines in various deck archetypes, particularly those that capitalize on spellcasting or prowess. This card can consistently contribute to strategies where casting multiple noncreature spells in a single turn is beneficial.

Combo Potential: The ability of Steamcore Scholar to synergize with spells that have flashback or other forms of recasting from the graveyard gives it considerable potential in combo decks, setting up powerful chains of spellcasting.

Meta-Relevance: Given the scholar’s proficiency in decks that focus on instants and sorceries, it remains relevant in metagames that favor prolonged interactions and large spell combos, making it a must-have for players looking to harness such tactics.


How to beat

Steamcore Scholar presents a unique challenge when facing it across the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering. As a creature card that combines prowess with the potential to draw a card each time you cast a noncreature spell, the value it offers can accumulate rapidly. The first step in countering Steamcore Scholar is to restrict the card advantage it provides. This can be done by limiting the number of noncreature spells being cast or by using removal spells to take it off the board before it gets out of hand.

Spot removal spells like Murder or Doom Blade work efficiently to eliminate this threat due to their low mana cost. You can also counter it upon casting with spells such as Counterspell or Mana Leak, preventing it from ever entering the battlefield. Another strategy involves employing creature-based interactions, like fighting or forced sacrifice, to deal with Steamcore Scholar without triggering its abilities. In conclusion, quick reaction, targeted removal, and careful management of spells are crucial in outmaneuvering a Steamcore Scholar and maintaining control of the game.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Steamcore Scholar MTG card by a specific set like Murders at Karlov Manor and Murders at Karlov Manor, 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 Steamcore Scholar and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Steamcore Scholar Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2024-02-09 and 2024-02-10. Illustrated by David Astruga.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12024-02-09Murders at Karlov ManorMKM 3972015NormalBlackDavid Astruga
22024-02-09Murders at Karlov ManorMKM 712015NormalBlackDavid Astruga
32024-02-10Murders at Karlov Manor PromosPMKM 71p2015NormalBlackDavid Astruga
42024-02-10Murders at Karlov Manor PromosPMKM 71s2015NormalBlackDavid Astruga

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Steamcore Scholar has restrictions

FormatLegality
StandardLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
StandardbrawlLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
FutureLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
BrawlLegal
TimelessLegal
Vigilance card art

Guide to Vigilance card ability

In the strategic universe of Magic: The Gathering (MTG), the vigilance ability stands out as a powerful tool for players. This potent keyword allows creatures to attack without tapping, keeping them ready and alert to defend against incoming threats. It represents a perfect balance between aggression and defense, offering a dynamic approach to gameplay. Lets dive deeper into how vigilance shapes the battlefield.