Steamcore Weird MTG Card
2006-02-03 - Number 35
2011-09-02 - Number 50
2012-09-07 - Number 7
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Weird |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Key Takeaways
- Offers card advantage by drawing upon entry and fit into specific mana resourceful Izzet decks.
- Demands careful consideration of its discard requirement and specific mana costs in deckbuilding.
- Its versatility and damage upon casting make it a valuable combatant in reactive strategies.
Text of card
When Steamcore Weird comes into play, if was spent to play Steamcore Weird, it deals 2 damage to target creature or player.
Like many Izzet creations, weirds are based on wild contradictions yet somehow manage to work.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Steamcore Weird provides a distinct edge in card advantage, delivering an extra card into your hand when you need to refill your resources or when digging for key components of your strategy.
Resource Acceleration: By potentially untapping a significant amount of mana, Steamcore Weird allows you to accelerate your resources, enabling bigger plays ahead of schedule and surprising your opponent with unexpected maneuvers.
Instant Speed: Offering flexibility to your game plan, the ability to play Steamcore Weird at instant speed means you can optimize your reactions to the evolving state of the board, maintain a facade of readiness, or simply execute plays beyond the limitations of your own turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Playing Steamcore Weird often means you’ll have to let go of a potentially valuable card from your hand, which can set back your game if you’re already struggling with card advantage.
Specific Mana Cost: This card requires both blue and red mana, narrowing the range of decks it fits into and possibly complicating your mana base if you’re running a multi-colored deck.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that is somewhat steep for its 1/3 stats and the ability it provides, you might find yourself questioning its inclusion over other options with a more immediate impact on the game.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Steamcore Weird offers flexible gameplay, fitting well into Izzet spell-slinger decks, and it serves as an efficient two-for-one choice in limited formats where both a body on the board and a shock to the stack are invaluable.
Combo Potential: Its ability to deal damage upon casting can be leveraged in decks that focus on spell copying or instant and sorcery recursion, helping to whittle down opponents’ life totals or clear the board of small creatures.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta that favors aggressive creatures or requires consistent interaction, Steamcore Weird can shine by offering an immediate board presence that can also disrupt early plays from your opponent.
How to beat
Steamcore Weird is a unique creature in the Magic: The Gathering arena. It brings to the table not just a body on the board but also a minor yet potentially game-altering spell-like ability: it deals 1 damage to any target upon entry. This direct damage can influence the board early on, shaping the flow of the game from the moment it touches down.
To counteract Steamcore Weird’s entry effect, consider utilizing cards that grant hexproof or shroud to protect your key creatures and your life total. Direct removal spells can dispatch Steamcore Weird before it becomes a recurrent nuisance, especially if revived from the graveyard or flickered in and out of play. Instant-speed spells that can be played in response to the Weird’s casting, such as Counterspell or Unsummon, provide a clean answer. Controlling the pace of the game with counters and bounces limits the impact of Steamcore Weird’s ability and keeps you ahead.
Despite the versatility offered by Steamcore Weird, quick reaction and a strategic approach leveraging the right spells can neutralize its presence. Managing your resources and maintaining board control remains the key to overcoming the value it might otherwise provide to an opponent.
Cards like Steamcore Weird
The allure of Steamcore Weird in the realm of Magic: The Gathering stems from its unique blend as a creature with a direct damage twist. Comparable in versatility to cards like Thermo-Alchemist, which also deals damage to opponents, Steamcore Weird presents players with a creature that can impact the board immediately upon entry. While Thermo-Alchemist offers continuous damage potential, it doesn’t have the same immediate board presence as Steamcore Weird due to its reliance on untapping.
Examining Nivix Cyclops shows us another creature card with a spell-related synergy. Although it doesn’t deal damage directly, its power increases with each spell cast, potentially yielding higher damage over time. Conversely, Steamcore Weird delivers its damage only once, but without the requirement for additional spellcasting to activate its effect.
Furthermore, we see a correlation with Ghitu Journeymage, which also deals damage when it enters the battlefield. However, Ghitu Journeymage’s ability is contingent upon having other Wizards in play, showcasing Steamcore Weird’s standalone effectiveness. Assessing their respective strengths and uses, Steamcore Weird stands out as a solid choice for those seeking immediate impact in MTG creature strategies.
Cards similar to Steamcore Weird by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Steamcore Weird MTG card by a specific set like Guildpact and Duel Decks: Ajani vs. Nicol Bolas, 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 Steamcore Weird and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Printings
The Steamcore Weird Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2006-02-03 and 2012-09-07. Illustrated by Justin Norman.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2006-02-03 | Guildpact | GPT | 35 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Justin Norman | |
| 2 | 2011-09-02 | Duel Decks: Ajani vs. Nicol Bolas | DDH | 50 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Justin Norman | |
| 3 | 2012-09-07 | Duel Decks: Izzet vs. Golgari | DDJ | 7 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Justin Norman |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Steamcore Weird has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
