Nav Squad Commandos MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Human Soldier |
| Abilities | Battalion |
| Released | 2013-02-01 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Gatecrash |
| Set code | GTC |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 5 |
| Number | 22 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Steve Prescott |
Key Takeaways
- Generates a 1/1 token for a stronger board presence without depleting your hand.
- Battalion ability adds vigilance, enhancing both your offense and defense.
- Synergy with instant spells can surprise opponents for advantageous plays.
Text of card
Battalion — Whenever Nav Squad Commandos and at least two other creatures attack, Nav Squad Commandos gets +1/+1 until end of turn. Untap it.
Funded by the Azorius to keep current maps of the undercity, the Boros nav squads survey even the most unsavory areas.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Nav Squad Commandos can bring reinforcements directly onto the battlefield. When entering play, you’re granted an additional 1/1 Human Soldier creature token, thus expanding your army and enhancing your board presence. It’s a strategy that adds value with each summon, bolstering your side without depleting your hand.
Resource Acceleration: This unit’s innate battalion ability is a tactical asset, encouraging a more aggressive combat stance. Engaging with at least two other comrades in battle, Nav Squad Commandos bestows a vigilant state upon your new recruit, readying your forces for both offense and defense. This vigilant stance means your resources remain alert, adaptable, and always prepared for the evolving combat scenario without additional cost or preparation.
Instant Speed: While the commandos themselves may not act with the swiftness of an instant spell, they can synergize with cards of instant speed to catch an opponent off guard. Timing is critical in MTG and combined with instant spells that manipulate combat or buff your forces, Nav Squad Commandos can become an unexpected threat, maximizing their impact at just the right moment.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: As a card that necessitates discarding another card from your hand to activate certain abilities, Nav Squad Commandos can be a setback when you’re already running low on hand resources. This can lead to a strategic disadvantage, especially if the discarded card could be crucial for future turns.
Specific Mana Cost: The Commandos require a specific combination of mana to cast, making them slightly less flexible for deck building. They demand both white and green mana, which could restrict their playability to only certain types of multicolored decks that can reliably produce both colors.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a relatively high casting cost when compared to other creatures with similar stats or abilities, the efficiency of Nav Squad Commandos might be questioned. In a game where tempo is key, spending a significant amount of mana on a single card can be a risky move, potentially opening you up to more aggressive plays from opponents.
Reasons to Include Nav Squad Commandos in Your Collection
Versatility: Nav Squad Commandos is a flexible addition, being a welcome fit in various deck types, particularly those that capitalize on creature synergy and battalion mechanics.
Combo Potential: This card works exceptionally well with strategies that activate upon creatures attacking, potentially unlocking powerful combinations with other cards enhancing attack phases.
Meta-Relevance: In a gameplay environment that favors decks with a solid creature base, Nav Squad Commandos can serve as a formidable presence on the battlefield due to its ability to scale with the number of attacking creatures.
How to beat
Nav Squad Commandos presents itself as a formidable presence on the battlefield in the world of MTG. Known for its battalion ability, which grants it and another target creature a +1/+1 boost until the end of turn when three or more creatures attack, it can quickly turn the tides of battle in your opponent’s favor. To counter this, prioritize removal spells that can target and eliminate the Commandos before the battalion trigger can occur or employ board wipes to clean the slate entirely, ensuring that the battalion requirement is never met.
Alternatively, consider utilizing combat tricks to exceed the power and toughness of the Commandos during combat, or take advantage of effects that prevent them from attacking or blocking effectively. Ensnaring them with tap-down effects can also be a strategic move to sideline these soldiers. By understanding the importance of timing and choosing the right moment to act against Nav Squad Commandos, you can prevent your opponent from leveraging their battalion ability and maintain control of the game state.
Controlling the parameters of the battlefield is crucial when navigating against cards like Nav Squad Commandos. Efficient use of your resources to disrupt the opponent’s strategy can ensure your victory, keeping the commandos at bay and your defense solid.
Cards like Nav Squad Commandos
The Nav Squad Commandos carve out a unique space for themselves on the battlefield of MTG. This card brings something special to the table, especially when you consider its battalion mechanic that can be a game-changer during combat. However, when looking for parallel cards, there are certainly others with traits worth mentioning. For instance, the Loyal Cathar is another card that pivots around tactics that get reinforced by having multiple creatures.
Borderland Ranger shares the common trait of creature utility with Nav Squad Commandos. Though it doesn’t hinge on battalion, it excels in mana fixing, allowing you to secure the lands needed for your battle maneuvers. Then you have the bigger, bolder, Ember Beast. While not providing additional creatures, the sheer force it demands from opponent’s defenses can’t go unnoticed. However, unlike the Commandos, it requires support as it can’t attack alone, reshuffling the dynamic of your creature contingent.
Ultimately, while each card brings its own flavor to a player’s strategy within MTG, the Nav Squad Commandos stand out with their ability to amplify your attacking capabilities each turn where the battalion condition is met, making it a formidable choice for any deck seeking to capitalize on creature numbers.
Cards similar to Nav Squad Commandos by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Nav Squad Commandos MTG card by a specific set like Gatecrash, 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 Nav Squad Commandos 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
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Nav Squad Commandos has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Nav Squad Commandos card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2013-04-15 | Once a battalion ability has triggered, it doesn’t matter how many creatures are still attacking when that ability resolves. |
| 2013-04-15 | The effects of battalion abilities vary from card to card. Read each card carefully. |
| 2013-04-15 | The three attacking creatures don’t have to be attacking the same player or planeswalker. |
