Astral Steel MTG Card

Astral Steel provides card advantage, boosts mana, and offers instant speed utility in gameplay. Its drawbacks include a discard requirement, specific mana constraints, and a high mana cost. Versatile, with strong combo potential and meta relevance, Astral Steel can be a game-changer.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Common
Type	Instant
Abilities	Storm
Released	2003-05-26
Set symbol
Set name	Scourge
Set code	SCG
Number	2
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Matt Cavotta

Text of card

Target creature gets +1/+2 until end of turn. Storm (When you play this spell, copy it for each spell played before it this turn. You may choose new targets for the copies.)

Cards like Astral Steel

Astral Steel is an intriguing combat trick often used in Magic: The Gathering to tip the scales in a clash. This card can be compared to other strength-augmenting spells like Giant Growth, which provides a creature with a +3/+3 bonus until end of turn. While Giant Growth is a staple due to its lower mana cost, Astral Steel has the unique capability of scaling its power boost; the more mana invested, the mightier the creature becomes thanks to its storm mechanic. This means that in a single turn with multiple spells cast, Astral Steel can dramatically amplify a creature’s strength.

Emanating similar vibes, we can look at Invigorating Surge, which not only increases a creature’s power but also adds a counter, potentially offering a permanent boost. Although it doesn’t have the storm ability like Astral Steel, it compensates with the enduring effect on the battlefield. On the other end, Rush of Adrenaline provides a quick increase in power and also grants trample until end of turn, giving a temporary edge particularly critical when pushing for immediate damage.

Evaluating Astral Steel alongside these cards showcases its potential in MTG to deliver a massive, if not decisive, boost during combat, especially in decks teeming with spells that can maximize its storm feature.

Cards similar to Astral Steel by color, type and mana cost

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Card Pros

Card Advantage: Generates momentum by granting an additional draw, ensuring that your resources are continually replenished during the duel.

Resource Acceleration: Provides an uptick in your mana pool, allowing for quicker deployment of threats or responses within the intricate tapestry of gameplay.

Instant Speed: Offers the strategic advantage of adaptability, enabling reactive plays to disrupt opponent strategies or fortify your own position on the battlefield at a moment’s notice.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Astral Steel challenges players by necessitating a card discard to activate its Strive ability. This demand can be particularly taxing when a player is already facing a depleted hand, potentially causing a strategic setback.

Specific Mana Cost: This card’s dependence on white mana can restrict its integration into a variety of decks. Players not running a deck with a white mana base or those who have limited white mana sources during play may find Astral Steel less accessible in crucial moments.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With an initial cost and additional costs for each target beyond the first, Astral Steel can consume a significant amount of mana resources. This makes it a less ideal option when considering the many alternatives available that may provide more cost-effective solutions for boosting creature power.

Reasons to Include Astral Steel in Your Collection

Versatility: Astral Steel is a card that can seamlessly fit into a wide array of deck types, particularly those that may involve creature-focused strategies or spell-based synergy. This card’s scalability with mana ensures it can be effective at any stage of the game.

Combo Potential: The card can act as a pivotal piece in combos, amplifying the power of creatures either for a decisive attack or to bolster defense. Additionally, its Storm mechanic allows for multiple copies to be cast in a single turn, magnifying its impact.

Meta-Relevance: With the ever-shifting MTG gameplay landscape, Astral Steel maintains relevance. It can provide a substantial edge in a meta that values tempo plays and combat tricks, making it a smart inclusion for players aiming to stay competitive.

How to beat

Astral Steel is an intriguing MTG card worth understanding for players looking to fortify their strategy against it. This particular enchantment offers a temporary yet considerable boost to a creature’s power and toughness, along with a scry bonus that shouldn’t be underestimated. To counter this card effectively, focus on timing and anticipate your opponent’s play. Having instant-speed removal spells on hand can dismantle the buff during the combat phase or before the scry benefit comes into play.

Consider utilizing countermagic as well. Spells like Negate or Essence Scatter can interrupt the casting of Astral Steel, ensuring the creature it aims to enhance remains in its base state. If Astral Steel has already resolved, prioritize controlling the battlefield. Board wipes like Wrath of God or targeted removal such as Path to Exile can be pivotal. The key is to maintain a reactive stance and address threats as they come—this proactive approach can mitigate the effect of combat tricks like Astral Steel, keeping you one step ahead in the game.

While Astral Steel offers a tempting advantage to those who wield it, a well-prepared defense can neutralize its impact, preserving the balance of power on the battlefield. By mastering the counterplay, you’ll be able to stand your ground against this and other enhancement cards in MTG.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Astral Steel MTG card by a specific set like Scourge, 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 Astral Steel and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Astral Steel has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Premodern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2013-06-07	A copy of a spell can be countered like any other spell, but it must be countered individually. Countering a spell with storm won’t affect the copies.
2013-06-07	Spells cast from zones other than a player’s hand and spells that were countered are counted by the storm ability.
2013-06-07	The copies are put directly onto the stack. They aren’t cast and won’t be counted by other spells with storm cast later in the turn.
2013-06-07	The triggered ability that creates the copies can itself be countered by anything that can counter a triggered ability. If it is countered, no copies will be put onto the stack.
2013-06-07	You may choose new targets for any of the copies. You can choose differently for each copy.