Steelclad Spirit MTG Card


Steelclad Spirit aids in consistent card draw, enhancing your strategy with dependable board presence. Its synergy with instants and defender abilities offers players a multifaceted utility creature. Despite its discard requirement, spirit adds value to control decks and tribal synergy.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Spirit
Abilities Defender
Power 3
Toughness 3

Text of card

Defender Whenever an enchantment enters the battlefield under your control, Steelclad Spirit can attack this turn as though it didn't have defender.

Some geists imitate the lives they left behind. Others follow the dreams they never realized.


Cards like Steelclad Spirit

Steelclad Spirit is an intriguing addition to the suite of defender creatures in MTG. It bears resemblance to other low-cost defender cards such as Wall of Mist, which shares the same mana cost and also has the ability to block multiple enemy attacks without being destroyed. However, what sets Steelclad Spirit apart is its conniving cantrip ability allowing you to draw a card when cast using its channel ability, combining defense with card advantage.

Guardians of Meletis is another card akin to Steelclad Spirit, providing a solid defensive option for three mana. While both cards are excellent blockers, Guardians of Meletis lacks the additional benefit of drawing a card. Conversely, Mnemonic Wall is a creature with a higher mana cost that not only blocks but also retrieves an instant or sorcery card from the graveyard when it enters the battlefield, adding a layer of utility beyond just defense.

In evaluating defender creatures that balance out protection and value, Steelclad Spirit becomes a compelling choice for decks aiming to maintain a strong defensive line while cycling through the deck for more options. Its hybrid nature as a card advantage tool and a sturdy wall offers strategic flexibility in gameplay.

Wall of Mist - MTG Card versions
Guardians of Meletis - MTG Card versions
Mnemonic Wall - MTG Card versions
Wall of Mist - MTG Card versions
Guardians of Meletis - MTG Card versions
Mnemonic Wall - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Steelclad Spirit by color, type and mana cost

Vodalian Soldiers - MTG Card versions
Zephyr Falcon - MTG Card versions
Giant Albatross - MTG Card versions
Phantasmal Sphere - MTG Card versions
Skyshroud Condor - MTG Card versions
School of Piranha - MTG Card versions
Coral Merfolk - MTG Card versions
Sea Eagle - MTG Card versions
Overtaker - MTG Card versions
Hazy Homunculus - MTG Card versions
Darting Merfolk - MTG Card versions
Thought Eater - MTG Card versions
Spellstutter Sprite - MTG Card versions
Sneaky Homunculus - MTG Card versions
Coral Eel - MTG Card versions
Storm Crow - MTG Card versions
Aquamoeba - MTG Card versions
Soratami Cloudskater - MTG Card versions
Minamo Sightbender - MTG Card versions
Kaijin of the Vanishing Touch - MTG Card versions
Vodalian Soldiers - MTG Card versions
Zephyr Falcon - MTG Card versions
Giant Albatross - MTG Card versions
Phantasmal Sphere - MTG Card versions
Skyshroud Condor - MTG Card versions
School of Piranha - MTG Card versions
Coral Merfolk - MTG Card versions
Sea Eagle - MTG Card versions
Overtaker - MTG Card versions
Hazy Homunculus - MTG Card versions
Darting Merfolk - MTG Card versions
Thought Eater - MTG Card versions
Spellstutter Sprite - MTG Card versions
Sneaky Homunculus - MTG Card versions
Coral Eel - MTG Card versions
Storm Crow - MTG Card versions
Aquamoeba - MTG Card versions
Soratami Cloudskater - MTG Card versions
Minamo Sightbender - MTG Card versions
Kaijin of the Vanishing Touch - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Steelclad Spirit is a card that has the potential to offer incremental card advantage. With its ability to be evasive in the battlefield, you can expect to connect with your opponent more consistently, paving the way for more consistent damage and a steadier draw into your deck’s deeper strategies.

Resource Acceleration: While the Steelclad Spirit itself doesn’t directly accelerate your resources, its presence can influence the board in a way that you may be able to conserve spell resources. This can lead to using your mana more efficiently and advancing your board state without overspending on your turns.

Instant Speed: The capability of Steelclad Spirit to benefit from instant speed spell interactions can be a significant pro. It thrives in an environment where you can play instants that can change the state of the game, allowing the Spirit to slip through defenses or dodge removal, effectively saving your resources and keeping your pressure on the opponent.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Steelclad Spirit necessitates a discard to activate its key ability, which could be detrimental when your hand is sparse.

Specific Mana Cost: With a mana cost that requires both generic and blue mana, this spirit may not seamlessly fit into multicolor decks that are tight on mana fixing.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For its base stats and abilities, some players might view its cost as steep compared to other options, potentially making it a less attractive pick in mana-efficient strategies.


Reasons to Include Steelclad Spirit Mtg Card in Your Collection

Versatility: Steelclad Spirit offers a unique element in decks where consistent defender abilities are essential. It can serve as an early blocker while providing card draw opportunities, making it a useful addition in a variety of deck strategies.

Combo Potential: With its ability to draw a card when it comes into play if you control another Spirit or enchantment, Steelclad Spirit has innate synergies that can be leveraged in Spirit tribal decks or enchantment-heavy builds.

Meta-Relevance: Depending on shifts in the competitive landscape, Steelclad Spirit’s natural fit in control decks may give it an edge. Its utility in delaying opponents while setting up your game plan makes it a card worth considering for its flexibility in response to various meta scenarios.


How to beat

Confronting the Steelclad Spirit in MTG requires a strategic approach to disrupt its unique advantage – escape from targeted spells. This creature stands out with a cost-effective defense mechanism, costing mere two mana to cast. Players can find its ability to avoid single-target removal spells such as Doom Blade or Murder to be particularly challenging. However, its resilience can be undercut using board wipes like Wrath of God or global -1/-1 effects like Cry of the Carnarium.

Similarly, Steelclad Spirit’s ability to block only creatures with flying often lands it in ethereal skirmishes, out of reach of most ground-based threats. To circumvent this aerial defense, players can employ creatures with reach or use enchantments and artifacts that grant this ability. Cards such as Spider Umbra or Cobbled Wings can bridge the gap, offering a chance to engage the Spirit directly. Moreover, leveraging counterspell tactics or hand disruption methods before the Steelclad Spirit hits the board cuts off the problem at the source, ensuring you maintain control over the gameplay.

In essence, while Steelclad Spirit brings to the table a blend of evasion and defense, a well-prepared arsenal that anticipates and neutralizes its strengths can preserve your deck’s upper hand.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Steelclad Spirit MTG card by a specific set like Innistrad: Crimson Vow and Innistrad: Double Feature, 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 Steelclad Spirit and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Steelclad Spirit Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2021-11-19 and 2022-01-28. Illustrated by Artur Treffner.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12021-11-19Innistrad: Crimson VowVOW 802015NormalBlackArtur Treffner
22022-01-28Innistrad: Double FeatureDBL 3472015NormalBlackArtur Treffner

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Steelclad Spirit has restrictions

FormatLegality
StandardLegal
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
FutureLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
BrawlLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal