Steel-Plume Marshal MTG Card


Steel-Plume Marshal - Jumpstart
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Bird Soldier
Abilities Flying
Released2020-07-17
Set symbol
Set nameJumpstart
Set codeJMP
Power 3
Toughness 3
Number5
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byCristi Balanescu

Key Takeaways

  1. Steel-Plume Marshal magnifies each attack by boosting flying creatures, thus amplifying card utility.
  2. Marshaling flyers, it indirectly contributes to mana efficiency and resource acceleration over turns.
  3. The card’s synergy with instant speed plays adds a tactical layer to MTG combat phases.

Text of card

Flying Whenever Steel-Plume Marshal attacks, other attacking creatures you control with flying get +2/+2 until end of turn.

The defenders watched in terror as the flying V split apart into a bristling battle formation.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Steel-Plume Marshal offers a unique avenue for card advantage as it enhances each attacking creature, potentially turning each swing into a decisive board state shift. Through its ability to bolster other flyers, you maximize the impact of each creature card played, effectively stretching your card utility further than what’s on the surface.

Resource Acceleration: While Steel-Plume Marshal doesn’t directly generate mana or treasure tokens, the card indirectly aids resource acceleration by encouraging a focus on evasive creatures. The more creatures you have in the air, the more likely you are to sustain a consistent attack, clearing the way for a more efficient use of mana turn after turn.

Instant Speed: Although Steel-Plume Marshal itself isn’t an instant, it synergizes well with instant-speed cards that can protect it or disrupt opponents during combat. This adds a layer of tactical depth to games, allowing you to leverage the Marshal’s abilities effectively during the most crucial phase of the turn—the combat phase.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: To fully capitalize on the abilities of Steel-Plume Marshal, it requires a setup of other attacking creatures. This can be a setback if your board presence is limited, potentially wasting its powerful effect.

Specific Mana Cost: With a mana cost that includes two white mana symbols, integrating Steel-Plume Marshal into your deck requires a strong commitment to white mana sources. This can restrict deck-building flexibility and make it less suitable for multicolor decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Steel-Plume Marshal comes with a relatively steep mana cost of five. In a game where speed can be decisive, this cost may slow you down, especially when compared to other lower-cost creatures that can be played earlier or offer similar buffs at a reduced cost.


Reasons to Include Steel-Plume Marshal in Your Collection

Versatility: Steel-Plume Marshal’s ability to buff other creatures you control makes it a solid addition to any deck focusing on creature synergy. Its flying attribute ensures it is a useful asset across various board states.

Combo Potential: This card excels in decks that generate multiple creatures, potentially turning a wide board into a devastating force. Pairing it with cards that create tokens can lead to explosive turns and overwhelming combat phases.

Meta-Relevance: With an ever-evolving MTG landscape, Steel-Plume Marshal can rise in relevance, particularly where boosting an army of creatures can turn the tide against decks that may not be prepared for a sudden aerial onslaught.


How to beat

Confronting the Steel-Plume Marshal on the battlefield can be quite the challenge for many players. This potent card can bolster your opponent’s army, granting +2/+2 to each attacking creature with flying whenever it attacks. Dealing with this effect requires a calculated approach. Your best chance in preemptively neutralizing the Marshal’s advantage lies in removal spells. Efficiently timed spot removal like Murder or Fatal Push can dispatch the Marshal before its ability triggers, mitigating the potential onslaught.

Alternatively, board wipes such as Shatter the Sky or Doomskar can reset the battlefield, clearing the Marshal and any buffed creatures. Another strategy is to limit the Marshal’s impact by controlling the skies with reach or flying creatures of your own. Cards like Plummet or Aerial Assault are specifically designed to target flying threats. Finally, negating the marshal’s activated abilities with cards like Linvala, Keeper of Silence can prove invaluable in stifling your opponent’s strategy while you gain ground.

Understanding the Marshal’s strengths and timing your responses appropriately can turn the tide of battle in your favor. Recognizing when to hold back those removal spells for key targets such as the Steel-Plume Marshal is the essence of mastering such encounters.


BurnMana Recommendations

Understanding the balance of strengths and weaknesses in your MTG deck is crucial, and Steel-Plume Marshal exemplifies this delicate balance. Its capacity to amplify your aerial assault makes it a potent force in any combat-focused strategy. If you’re ready to take your flying creatures to new heights, consider how Steel-Plume Marshal can shift the tide of battle in your favor. Building a deck that capitalizes on its unique buffing abilities could be your next strategic edge. Feel ready to take command of the skies? Converge on our platform to further hone your deck-building skills and discover comprehensive strategies that ensure your MTG matchups are as exhilarating as they are victorious.


Cards like Steel-Plume Marshal

Steel-Plume Marshal occupies a unique place among creature cards in Magic: The Gathering with its rallying ability for flying creatures. It shares its skies with Wingmate Roc, which also supports aerial strategies. The Roc, however, focuses on life gain and producing bird tokens rather than buffing other fliers.

Skyknight Vanguard is another card that dances in the same airspace. The Vanguard creates tokens like Wingmate Roc but focuses on a more aggressive early game strategy, fitting seamlessly into a Red-White aggro deck. Its token generation triggers on attack unlike Steel-Plume Marshal, which requires another condition to buff creatures.

Lastly, there’s the majestic Empyrean Eagle. Although it costs less mana, the Eagle offers a constant static buff to flying creatures’ power and toughness, enhancing their board presence instantly. Steel-Plume Marshal requires a successful attack to pump up your flyers but compensates with a significantly more substantial buff.

Each of these avian allies presents distinct advantages for flying-centric decks. Steel-Plume Marshal stands out for its potential to swing the board state in your favor with its substantial boosts to your winged warriors during combat, proving itself an impressive force in MTG’s strategy skies.

Wingmate Roc - MTG Card versions
Skyknight Vanguard - MTG Card versions
Empyrean Eagle - MTG Card versions
Wingmate Roc - MTG Card versions
Skyknight Vanguard - MTG Card versions
Empyrean Eagle - MTG Card versions

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Enduring Angel // Angelic Enforcer - MTG Card versions
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Celestial Gatekeeper - MTG Card versions
Collector Protector - MTG Card versions
Kiyomaro, First to Stand - MTG Card versions
Belfry Spirit - MTG Card versions
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Ivory Gargoyle - MTG Card versions
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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Steel-Plume Marshal MTG card by a specific set like Jumpstart, 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 Steel-Plume Marshal and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Steel-Plume Marshal has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
CommanderLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
GladiatorLegal
TimelessLegal

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