Catapult Fodder // Catapult Captain MTG Card
2021-11-19 - Number 99
2022-01-28 - Number 366
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Zombie |
| Abilities | Transform |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 5 |
Text of card
At the beginning of combat on your turn, if you control three or more creatures that each have toughness greater than their power, transform Catapult Fodder.
These days, ghouls are the only abundant resource in Thraben.
Cards like Catapult Fodder // Catapult Captain
Catapult Fodder // Catapult Captain brings a unique angle to creature cards in Magic: The Gathering. It taps into a mechanic similar to Goblin Bombardment, which allows sacrificing a creature to deal damage. However, Catapult Fodder distinguishes itself by being a creature that you can also use in combat. Once transformed into Catapult Captain, it elevates the strategy by increasing the damage output without requiring an additional mana investment, unlike Goblin Bombardment.
Conversely, when comparing it to cards like Barrage of Expendables, Catapult Fodder // Catapult Captain presents an advantage with its dual functionality — operating as both an aggressive creature and a sacrifice outlet. Barrage of Expendables offers the sacrifice utility, but lacks board presence. Moreover, Siege-Gang Commander shares a resemblance with its ability to sacrifice creatures for damage, yet the Commander does have a higher mana cost and provides more initial creature tokens.
Therefore, strategic deck builders might favor Catapult Fodder // Catapult Captain for its versatility and single-card utility, ensuring it stands out among its counterparts for its capacity to contribute to battlefield control and late-game finishing moves.
Cards similar to Catapult Fodder // Catapult Captain by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Catapult Fodder // Catapult Captain stands out by offering a unique approach to card utility. On its front, it can be a relentless token generator, continuously amassing an army for you. As it transforms into Catapult Captain, it maintains this advantage by turning your creature tokens into direct damage against your opponents, thereby converting your board presence into potential game-winning moves without sacrificing card quantity in your hand.
Resource Acceleration: The dual nature of this card could potentially result in significant resource acceleration. In its initial form, Catapult Fodder contributes to your board presence by creating creature tokens. As you transition to Catapult Captain, those very tokens become ammunition that can be launched at your opponents or their planeswalkers. This can speed up your game plan substantially, pushing pressure on your opponent and shortening the path to victory.
Instant Speed: While this card itself may not operate at instant speed, the activated ability of its back face, Catapult Captain, does. This means you can end your turn without tapping out, keeping up the facade of having instant-speed interactions. Then, if your opponent doesn’t present a threat, you can use the ability at the end of their turn to optimize your use of mana and maintain pressure without missing a beat.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Catapult Fodder // Catapult Captain prompts players to sacrifice another creature for activation. This can be a steep price to pay, especially in decks that don’t readily amass a large number of creatures or have consistent rebirth mechanisms.
Specific Mana Cost: This card’s effectiveness is tied to its strict mana requirement, which includes red mana. For players who don’t run a deck with a significant amount of red sources, this can make it difficult to cast on curve and fully utilize its potential on the battlefield.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that’s on the higher side for its provided effects, it competes with other four-mana cards that could potentially offer more immediate impact. As such, it’s essential to weigh its cost against the value of other available cards in the same mana slot to ensure optimal deck efficiency.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Catapult Fodder // Catapult Captain bring flexibility to various deck archetypes. As a creature card that alters its capabilities upon adding more creatures to the battlefield, its adaptability allows it to serve as an early blocker or evolve into a game-ending threat.
Combo Potential: These cards offer remarkable synergy with strategies focused on creature tokens, enabling you to turn a wide board state into a catapult for direct damage, which can interact excitingly with other cards that care about creatures entering or leaving the battlefield.
Meta-Relevance: Given the dynamic nature of the MTG play environment, having access to a card that scales in power with the number of creatures controlled can be critical. Whether facing off against aggressive weenie decks or holding your own in a creature-heavy meta, Catapult Fodder // Catapult Captain can find a place in your strategies.
How to beat
Catapult Fodder // Catapult Captain is a recent addition to the arsenal of proliferate strategies in Magic: The Gathering. It can be quite the adversary with its potential for rapid token creation and the consequent damage acceleration when flipped to Catapult Captain. If left unchecked, the damage output can intensify, especially when combined with go-wide strategies that capitalize on having numerous creatures on board.
One effective tactic to tackle this threat is through removal spells, such as Murder or Path to Exile, which can efficiently eliminate the creature before the opponent capitalizes on its power. Mass removal spells, like Wrath of God, also work well by sweeping the board clear of tokens and other threats simultaneously. Another angle is to limit the creature’s capabilities with pacifism effects like Pacifism or Lignify, rendering it an ineffective beater. Alternatively, counter spells can nip the problem in the bud, preventing Catapult Fodder // Catapult Captain from ever entering the battlefield.
In conclusion, focusing on preemptive control or reactive removal will help players beat Catapult Fodder // Catapult Captain, ensuring that this seemingly innocuous creature doesn’t launch your opponent to victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Catapult Fodder // Catapult Captain 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 Catapult Fodder // Catapult Captain and other MTG cards:
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Printings
The Catapult Fodder // Catapult Captain Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2021-11-19 and 2022-01-28. Illustrated by Jesper Ejsing.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2021-11-19 | Innistrad: Crimson Vow | VOW | 99 | 2015 | Transform | Black | Jesper Ejsing | |
| 2 | 2022-01-28 | Innistrad: Double Feature | DBL | 366 | 2015 | Transform | Black | Jesper Ejsing |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Catapult Fodder // Catapult Captain has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Catapult Fodder // Catapult Captain card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2021-11-19 | To satisfy Catapult Fodder's condition, each of the three creatures must have toughness greater than its own power, regardless of the power and toughness of the other two creatures. |