Captain's Call MTG Card


Offers a significant board presence boost with three 1/1 tokens enhancing strategy versatility and combos. The card’s mana cost and color specificity may limit its inclusion in diverse deck builds. Despite the mana investment, Captain’s Call is valuable for swarming tactics in creature-focused decks.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityCommon
TypeSorcery

Text of card

Put three 1/1 white Soldier creature tokens onto the battlefield.

"Who among you has the courage to face certain death? Who will heed my call?" —Rayel Vanger, Firstblade of Thune


Cards like Captain's Call

Delving into the fabric of token-generating spells in Magic: The Gathering, Captain’s Call reveals its strategic niche. It mirrors cards such as Raise the Alarm, which summons a pair of creatures to the battlefield. Yet, Captain’s Call distinguishes itself by creating three soldiers, albeit at a higher mana cost. This positions the card as a bridge between low-cost token spells and the more expansive ones like Triplicate Spirits, which also musters multiple creature tokens but with added convoke benefits, allowing for a more flexible casting cost.

Another comparable spell is Spectral Procession, a formidable contender when considering token generation. Though it can create three tokens similar to Captain’s Call, it varies greatly in flexibility with a hybrid mana cost, offering adaptability in different deck builds. The distinction between these cards often boils down to mana efficiency and the adaptability within various strategies and formats.

In essence, while Captain’s Call may not offer the cheapest or most versatile option for token production, its straightforward ability to swarm the field makes it a solid choice for players looking to broaden their army with consistent firepower.

Raise the Alarm - MTG Card versions
Triplicate Spirits - MTG Card versions
Spectral Procession - MTG Card versions
Raise the Alarm - MTG Card versions
Triplicate Spirits - MTG Card versions
Spectral Procession - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Captain's Call by color, type and mana cost

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Armageddon - MTG Card versions
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Replenish - MTG Card versions
Gerrard's Wisdom - MTG Card versions
Decree of Justice - MTG Card versions
Day of Judgment - MTG Card versions
Starnheim Unleashed - MTG Card versions
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Divine Congregation - MTG Card versions
Retether - MTG Card versions
Misfortune's Gain - MTG Card versions
Windborne Charge - MTG Card versions
Excoriate - MTG Card versions
Wrath of God - MTG Card versions
Armageddon - MTG Card versions
Resurrection - MTG Card versions
Cleanse - MTG Card versions
Breath of Life - MTG Card versions
Path of Peace - MTG Card versions
Vengeance - MTG Card versions
False Defeat - MTG Card versions
Ravages of War - MTG Card versions
Replenish - MTG Card versions
Gerrard's Wisdom - MTG Card versions
Decree of Justice - MTG Card versions
Day of Judgment - MTG Card versions
Starnheim Unleashed - MTG Card versions
Presence of the Wise - MTG Card versions
Divine Congregation - MTG Card versions
Retether - MTG Card versions
Misfortune's Gain - MTG Card versions
Windborne Charge - MTG Card versions
Excoriate - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Captain’s Call creates three 1/1 white Soldier creature tokens, bolstering your army and enhancing board presence. This is an effective way to flood the battlefield and overwhelm your opponent.

Resource Acceleration: These tokens can be an excellent resource for various strategies. Whether they’re being tapped for convoke spells, sacrificed for other effects, or used as fodder for cards like Skullclamp, they accelerate your play options magnificently.

Instant Speed: Although Captain’s Call is a sorcery, its impact at the right moment can be similar to instant speed effects. Deploying three additional creatures in one move can catch opponents off guard, especially when followed up with cards that capitalize on their presence.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Captain’s Call may not ask for a discard upon casting, but it’s important to consider it in the context of the white mana weenie decks that often have to manage card advantage carefully. Any turn not developing the board or hand can be a setback for these tempo-sensitive strategies.

Specific Mana Cost: Requiring three white mana, the card demands a significant commitment to white. In multi-colored decks, this cost can constrain mana flexibility, potentially leading to casting delays or even becoming a dead card under unfavorable mana conditions.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For four mana, the expected impact is significant. However, generating just three 1/1 tokens might not provide the board presence needed to justify its cost, especially when there are other token-generating spells at lower mana costs or providing additional benefits.


Reasons to Include Captain’s Call in Your Collection

Versatility: Captain’s Call is flexible, able to seamlessly integrate into token strategies or decks focusing on creature presence. Its ability to create multiple bodies with one card makes it a strong player in various situations.

Combo Potential: With the creation of three Soldier tokens, it can be a key piece in combos involving creatures entering the battlefield or those that capitalize on wide army advantages.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment where board presence is crucial, the immediate influx of troops from Captain’s Call can be a turning point, overpowering opponents who are unprepared for a sudden swarm tactic.


How to beat

Overcoming Captain’s Call in your Magic: The Gathering matches requires a deft understanding of its mechanics. Fundamentally, Captain’s Call is a versatile card known for instantly bolstering your army with three 1/1 white Soldier creature tokens. While the immediate increase in creatures can be daunting, the key to triumph lies in sweepers and board control spells. Cards like Supreme Verdict and Wrath of God can clear the tokens en masse, leveling the playing field and negating the advantage your opponent might gain. On the creature front, efficient blockers or creatures with deathtouch can discourage attacks and handle the soldiers one by one.

Spot removal spells, although less mana-efficient against multiple tokens, can still provide a solution when you’re dealing with just a few remaining creatures on the board. It’s also worth keeping in mind that Captain’s Call has a considerable mana cost for the effect it provides, which means pacing your resources effectively can position you ahead before the tokens start to become a real threat. In summary, by employing the right control strategies and removal spells, you can significantly reduce the impact of Captain’s Call and maintain dominance in the game.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Captain's Call MTG card by a specific set like Magic 2013 and Commander Legends, 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 Captain's Call and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Captain's Call Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2012-07-13 and 2022-09-09. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12012-07-13Magic 2013M13 92003NormalBlackGreg Staples
22020-11-20Commander LegendsCMR 152015NormalBlackGreg Staples
32022-09-09Dominaria UnitedDMU 92015NormalBlackA. M. Sartor

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Captain's Call has restrictions

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