Steeling Stance MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Common
Type	Instant
Abilities	Forecast
Released	2006-05-05
Set symbol
Set name	Dissension
Set code	DIS
Number	18
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Randy Gallegos

Key Takeaways

Generates card advantage by creating multiple reinforced threats demanding opponent’s attention.
Enhances creatures instantly, allowing for surprise plays and dynamic in-game strategy.
Demands careful play due to discard requirement and specific, potentially high mana cost.

Text of card

Creatures you control get +1/+1 until end of turn. Forecast , Reveal Steeling Stance from your hand: Target creature gets +1/+1 until end of turn. (Play this ability only during your upkeep and only once each turn.)

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Steeling Stance, with its ability to potentially buff multiple creatures, plays into a strategy that leverages the number of creatures you control. This can translate into overwhelming the board and generating card advantage by effectively requiring opponents to deal with multiple threats simultaneously.

Resource Acceleration: By potentially increasing the power and toughness of your creatures, Steeling Stance can accelerate your resource effectiveness without the need for additional cards. Your creatures become more formidable, which can apply pressure early on without expending extra resources from your hand.

Instant Speed: The instant nature of Steeling Stance allows you the flexibility to respond to your opponent’s actions during their turn, surprising them by strengthening your defences or bolstering your attacking force at a critical moment. This reactive capability transforms Steeling Stance into a versatile tool within any game, keeping your opponents guessing and your strategy dynamic.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Steeling Stance demands a card to be discarded when played. This can pose a problem, especially in situations where your hand size is critical or the available cards are too valuable to lose.

Specific Mana Cost: This card’s mana cost requires a specific blend of mana types. Players running multi-colored decks might find it challenging to muster the exact combination when they need to cast this spell, potentially resulting in a missed opportunity or a delay in their strategic execution.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With the cost to bring Steeling Stance into play being on the higher side, players must consider its opportunity cost. There are cards with lower mana requirements that can offer similar or even better enhancements to your creatures, which may make them more appealing choices for deck building and in-game efficiency.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Steeling Stance provides a solid boost to creatures, making it a useful addition to decks that aim to fortify their board presence. It’s especially potent in decks that focus on +1/+1 counters, as it can swiftly turn a modest creature into a considerable threat.

Combo Potential: This card shines in synergistic scenarios, particularly when combined with cards that benefit from counters, such as proliferate strategies or those that unlock abilities for creatures with a certain number of counters.

Meta-Relevance: Given the card’s capacity to strengthen multiple creatures at once, it can be especially effective in a meta that’s heavy on creature-based combat and aggressive strategies, offering both offensive and defensive advantages.

How to beat

Steel Stance is an intriguing Magic: The Gathering card that provides a notable boost to your creatures, potentially tipping the scales in combat. Given that it fortifies your creatures, finding a way around it can be quite challenging. When faced with this card, one must adapt their strategy, possibly shifting focus from combat to alternative win conditions or control tactics. Remember, disruption is key; targeting the player’s hand with discard spells or removing Steel Stance directly with enchantment removal can effectively neutralize its advantages.

Another effective method involves limiting the player’s resources, thereby reducing the number of creatures that benefit from Steel Stance. This can be done by applying pressure with board control cards or sweepers that clean multiple creatures in one fell swoop. In multi-player formats, one could also employ politics, convincing other players to join forces against the shared threat to balance the power dynamics. Each strategy requires precise timing and knowledge of your deck’s strengths to outmaneuver Steel Stance and claim the upper hand.

Precision and adaptability are your greatest assets in a game of Magic: The Gathering. When up against a card like Steel Stance, refining these elements in your game plan can ensure success over your opponent’s fortified position. As with all MTG challenges, knowledge of your own deck and the meta is crucial to overcoming obstacles and emerging victorious.

Cards like Steeling Stance

Steeling Stance is a unique addition to the suite of buff spells within Magic: The Gathering, strengthening creatures much like other notable cards. It shares characteristics with spells like Brave the Elements, which also provides protection and an advantage in combat. Steeling Stance, however, offers a consistent boost to creature stats, potentially turning the tide of a game when used wisely. Unlike Brave the Elements, it doesn’t grant protection against a color for a turn, but it lends a lasting bonus to power and toughness.

Another kin from the category is Solidarity of Heroes, which doubles the number of +1/+1 counters on targeted creatures. Though Solidarity of Heroes doesn’t bolster every creature like Steeling Stance, its instant speed makes a crucial difference during surprise plays. Additionally, there’s also Inspiring Roar, which places +1/+1 counters on each creature you control. This card boasts an effect similar to Steeling Stance but requires a larger mana investment for a one-time effect, sacrificing the ongoing presence Steeling Stance can have on the battlefield over several turns.

Examining these cards, Steeling Stance shines by offering persistent strength to your creature lineup, making it a valuable piece in strategies that bank on growing and protecting a formidable board presence within Magic: The Gathering.

Solidarity of Heroes - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Steeling Stance by color, type and mana cost

Ardenvale Tactician // Dizzying Swoop - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Steeling Stance MTG card by a specific set like Dissension, 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 Steeling Stance and other MTG cards: