Steeple Roc MTG Card


Steeple Roc - Dragon's Maze
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Bird
Abilities First strike,Flying
Released2013-05-03
Set symbol
Set nameDragon's Maze
Set codeDGM
Power 3
Toughness 1
Number8
Frame2003
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byDavid Palumbo

Key Takeaways

  1. Steeple Roc stands out as a versatile flyer with a strategic first strike ability.
  2. The card fits smoothly into many mana curves, optimizing resource usage.
  3. Despite its strength, Steeple Roc’s mana cost can be restrictive in some decks.

Text of card

Flying, first strike

"Sometimes it forgets to loosen its grip before taking flight. I lost my roof that way." —Ecaban, Boros scout


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Steeple Roc brings combat tricks to the skies, often trading favorably thanks to its first strike, and leaving you ahead in resources by taking down enemy creatures without losing your own.

Resource Acceleration: While the Roc itself doesn’t directly accelerate resources, its moderate casting cost allows for a smooth mana curve in your deck plan, complementing your strategy without consuming excessive resources.

Instant Speed: Although Steeple Roc does not operate at instant speed, its first strike ability gives it a preemptive edge in combat, mimicking the surprise and flexibility often associated with instant-speed interactions.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Steeple Roc doesn’t have an explicit discard requirement, but being a higher-cost card in a fast-paced game might cause it to be discarded from hand to facilitate a smoother curve.

Specific Mana Cost: Steeple Roc demands both white and generic mana, necessitating a balanced mana base. This can be restrictive for multicolored decks that might struggle to meet the specific mana requirements consistently.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of five mana, including two white mana, players might find Steeple Roc a bit steep, considering some more powerful creatures or impactful spells are available at a similar or lower mana cost.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Steeple Roc’s ability to gain flying and first strike makes it a flexible addition to any deck that aims to control the skies. It can serve as both an offensive and defensive asset, adapting to ever-changing game situations.

Combo Potential: With its evasion and first strike capabilities, Steeple Roc pairs well with equipment and aura cards that can exploit its battlefield presence, setting up potential for combo plays that can consistently deal damage to opponents.

Meta-Relevance: In a game where creatures often dominate the board, Steeple Roc can be a game-changer. Its ability to bypass blockers and avoid many common forms of removal makes it a relevant choice against numerous popular strategies.


How to beat

Steeple Roc, a flying threat in the skies of Magic: The Gathering, can be a challenge to overcome. Its combination of flying and first strike makes it a formidable enemy, especially in limited formats where the number of available removal options is restricted. To defeat this adversarial avian, consider including efficient removal spells in your deck that can target creatures regardless of their abilities. Cards like Murder, which straightforwardly destroy any target creature, bypass the Roc’s advantages and equalize the battlefield.

Additionally, optimizing your defense against flying creatures is an astute strategy. Spider cards, commonly equipped with reach, or enchantments like Windstorm that can deal damage to all creatures with flying at once, offers a collection of countermeasures. It’s also worth monitoring your opponent’s mana, as Steeple Roc requires a notable amount of mana to be cast, providing an opportunity to react preemptively. Establishing a board presence with creatures that can outmatch Steeple Roc or deploying sorcery spells that clear the board can also nullify its impact on the game.

Focus on versatility and promptness in your removal tactics, and Steeple Roc’s lofty presence won’t hold the power it once promised. With the right counter-strategies, this MTG card can swiftly be relegated from a threat in the air to a mere memory on the battlefield.


Cards like Steeple Roc

Steeple Roc stands out in Magic: The Gathering as a flying creature with the added ability of first strike, making it a formidable presence in the sky. Its parallels can be drawn to such creatures as Serra Angel, which similarly dominates aerial combat with flying and vigilance. Steeple Roc, however, distinguishes itself with first strike, ensuring it can often avoid damage in combat against other fliers.

Looking at the comparison realm, we find Aven Sunstriker, another avian creature with flying. Aven Sunstriker is unique with its double strike feature, allowing it to outdo Steeple Roc in damage output potential, yet it lacks the strength and resilience of Steeple Roc. Additionally, Aerial Responder is a card that shares the vigilance and flying traits but trades first strike for lifelink, offering a different tactical advantage for maintaining life totals in the game.

In the vast collection of Magic: The Gathering, every card plays a strategic role. Steeple Roc impressively balances offensive and defensive capabilities, positioning itself as a solid choice for players crafting decks aimed at taking command of the aerial battlefield.

Serra Angel - MTG Card versions
Aven Sunstriker - MTG Card versions
Aerial Responder - MTG Card versions
Serra Angel - Limited Edition Alpha (LEA)
Aven Sunstriker - Dragons of Tarkir (DTK)
Aerial Responder - Kaladesh (KLD)

Cards similar to Steeple Roc by color, type and mana cost

Veteran Bodyguard - MTG Card versions
Rashida Scalebane - MTG Card versions
Avenging Angel - MTG Card versions
Lancers en-Kor - MTG Card versions
Radiant, Archangel - MTG Card versions
Karmic Guide - MTG Card versions
Master Healer - MTG Card versions
Angel of Mercy - MTG Card versions
Serra Angel - MTG Card versions
Border Patrol - MTG Card versions
Enduring Angel // Angelic Enforcer - MTG Card versions
Sigardian Savior - MTG Card versions
Glory - MTG Card versions
Celestial Gatekeeper - MTG Card versions
Collector Protector - MTG Card versions
Kiyomaro, First to Stand - MTG Card versions
Belfry Spirit - MTG Card versions
Petra Sphinx - MTG Card versions
Barrenton Medic - MTG Card versions
Ivory Gargoyle - MTG Card versions
Veteran Bodyguard - Limited Edition Beta (LEB)
Rashida Scalebane - Mirage (MIR)
Avenging Angel - Tempest (TMP)
Lancers en-Kor - Stronghold (STH)
Radiant, Archangel - Urza's Legacy (ULG)
Karmic Guide - Forgotten Realms Commander (AFC)
Master Healer - Urza's Destiny (UDS)
Angel of Mercy - The List (PLST)
Serra Angel - Commander Anthology (CMA)
Border Patrol - Judgment (JUD)
Enduring Angel // Angelic Enforcer - Innistrad: Midnight Hunt (MID)
Sigardian Savior - Innistrad: Midnight Hunt (MID)
Glory - World Championship Decks 2002 (WC02)
Celestial Gatekeeper - Legions (LGN)
Collector Protector - Unhinged (UNH)
Kiyomaro, First to Stand - Saviors of Kamigawa Promos (PSOK)
Belfry Spirit - Guildpact (GPT)
Petra Sphinx - Masters Edition (ME1)
Barrenton Medic - Shadowmoor (SHM)
Ivory Gargoyle - Masters Edition II (ME2)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Steeple Roc MTG card by a specific set like Dragon's Maze, 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 Steeple Roc and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Steeple Roc has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal

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