Dire Fleet Captain MTG Card


Dire Fleet Captain - Ixalan
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Orc Pirate
Released2017-09-29
Set symbol
Set nameIxalan
Set codeXLN
Power 2
Toughness 2
Number221
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byYongjae Choi

Key Takeaways

  1. Grows stronger with each attacking pirate, making it a scaling threat on the battlefield.
  2. Efficient mana cost supports early aggressive play and board development.
  3. Synergizes with instant-speed pirates for unexpected combat boosts.

Text of card

Whenever Dire Fleet Captain attacks, it gets +1/+1 until end of turn for each other attacking Pirate.

Orcs are happiest under captains who steer toward battle. Orcs of the Dire Fleet are downright jovial.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: When Dire Fleet Captain is on the field, it becomes a force that demands an answer due to its potential to grow stronger with every other attacking Pirate. The longer it stays in play, the more value it generates for you by becoming an ever-increasing threat that can lead you to victory. This makes it essential for opponents to deal with, sometimes at the cost of their resources, tipping the balance of card advantage in your favor.

Resource Acceleration: Although Dire Fleet Captain does not explicitly grant resource acceleration like some other cards, its aggressive cost of only two mana makes it a swift play. By costing less and potentially attacking as a much larger creature, it allows you to apply pressure early on while still developing your board and resources. This efficient mana cost can be a form of indirect resource acceleration by letting you commit fewer resources to have an impactful presence on the battlefield.

Instant Speed: While the Dire Fleet Captain itself isn’t an instant, it synergizes well with other Pirates that can be played at instant speed or have flash. This means you can potentially surprise your opponent by boosting the Captain’s power and toughness during combat on your turn, making it a flexible threat that benefits from instant-speed plays in your deck.


Card Cons

Specific Mana Cost: Dire Fleet Captain demands both red and black mana which can sometimes constrain deck building flexibility or cause issues with mana availability during gameplay.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While a two-cost creature can be efficient, in aggressive decks, every mana point matters. There are other two-drops that might bring immediate impact or utility to the battlefield.

Discard Requirement: The card itself does not have a discard requirement; however, it obliges a substantial commitment to a pirate-themed strategy, potentially leading to card disadvantage if not properly supported by other cards.


Reasons to Include Dire Fleet Captain in Your Collection

Versatility: Dire Fleet Captain is a robust choice for any aggressive Pirate-themed deck. Its power increases with each attacking Pirate, making it a formidable threat that scales well as the game progresses.

Combo Potential: With the Captain’s ability to grow stronger during attacks, savvy players can combine it with other Pirates and cards that buff attacking creatures, unleashing devastating combat phases.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where tribal synergies shine, including Dire Fleet Captain can give you a competitive edge. Its increasing threat level demands an answer from opponents, making it effective against numerous strategies.


How to beat

Dire Fleet Captain is a dynamic force in Magic: The Gathering, especially within pirate-themed decks. This creature’s strength grows for each other attacking pirate, which can quickly become overwhelming. To counter this card, there are a few strategies to consider. Firstly, efficient removal spells are key to dealing with Dire Fleet Captain before it can capitalize on its ability. Cards such as Fatal Push or Path to Exile can dispatch the Captain without allowing its power to build. Alternatively, board wipes like Wrath of God can reset the playing field if the pirates outnumber your defenses.Another strategy is to limit the number of pirates that can attack. Ensnaring effects like Pacifism on Dire Fleet Captain, or board control spells similar to Propaganda, can stifle an opponent’s offensive potential, rendering the Captain’s ability less impactful.Lastly, players could target the deck’s strategy rather than the card itself. Graveyard disruption tools interrupt recursion tactics, and hand disruption can preemptively remove threats before they’re cast. A well-timed Thoughtseize or Leyline of the Void can tilt the match in your favor by hindering the synergistic elements that make Dire Fleet Captain formidable.


BurnMana Recommendations

Diving deep into the strategy of MTG, it’s clear that every card like Dire Fleet Captain can be pivotal in crafting a winning deck. Its synergy with Pirates makes it essential in certain deck archetypes, and its presence on the battlefield cannot be ignored. Balancing your deck to tackle its mana requirements, considering tribal support, and leveraging its aggressive nature is key. If you’re intrigued by the dynamic power of this captain and interested in navigating the ever-evolving metagame with a swashbuckling crew, delve further into our comprehensive guides. Set sail on your next MTG voyage armed with the knowledge to conquer the tides of battle.


Cards like Dire Fleet Captain

Dire Fleet Captain is a notable card in Magic: The Gathering, particularly for players who favor aggressive pirate-themed decks. As a creature that gets stronger with each attacking pirate, it garners natural comparisons to other tribal lords like Goblin Chieftain or Elvish Archdruid. While these cards support different tribes, they share the trait of boosting their fellow creatures.

Another card that echoes the strengths of the Dire Fleet Captain is Adaptive Automaton. This artifact creature can be tailored to any creature type, giving a similar power and toughness boost. While it lacks the scaling aggression potential of the Dire Fleet Captain, whose strength increases with each attacking pirate, Adaptive Automaton provides a more flexible alternative for various tribal decks.

Metallic Mimic is also worth mentioning; it’s another versatile card that can adapt to any creature type, granting additional +1/+1 counters to creatures of the chosen type as they enter the battlefield. Unlike Dire Fleet Captain, it supports a wider strategic setup but doesn’t promise the same immediate offensive impact during combat.

Considering their unique advantages and tribal synergy, Dire Fleet Captain stands out for players looking to lead a fleet of pirates to victory in the high seas of Magic: The Gathering.

Goblin Chieftain - MTG Card versions
Elvish Archdruid - MTG Card versions
Adaptive Automaton - MTG Card versions
Metallic Mimic - MTG Card versions
Goblin Chieftain - MTG Card versions
Elvish Archdruid - MTG Card versions
Adaptive Automaton - MTG Card versions
Metallic Mimic - MTG Card versions

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Rakdos Guildmage - MTG Card versions
Kroxa, Titan of Death's Hunger - MTG Card versions
Juri, Master of the Revue - MTG Card versions
Labyrinth Raptor - MTG Card versions
Gobhobbler Rats - MTG Card versions
Squealing Devil - MTG Card versions
Ghostflame Sliver - MTG Card versions
Sootstoke Kindler - MTG Card versions
Spiteflame Witch - MTG Card versions
Goblin Deathraiders - MTG Card versions
Goblin Outlander - MTG Card versions
Crimson Muckwader - MTG Card versions
Rix Maadi Guildmage - MTG Card versions
Rakdos Shred-Freak - MTG Card versions
Spike Jester - MTG Card versions
Tymaret, the Murder King - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Dire Fleet Captain MTG card by a specific set like Ixalan, 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 Dire Fleet Captain and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Dire Fleet Captain has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Dire Fleet Captain card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2017-09-29 Count the number of other attacking Pirates as the ability resolves to determine the size of the bonus.
2017-09-29 In a Two-Headed Giant game, attacking Pirates controlled by your teammate will count for Dire Fleet Captain’s ability.
2017-09-29 Once the ability resolves, the bonus won’t change later in the turn, even if the number of other attacking Pirates does.

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