Lead the Stampede MTG Card
2011-02-04 - Number 82
2011-09-02 - Number 24
2014-06-06 - Number 170
2017-11-17 - Number 173
2019-11-07 - Number 1259
2020-04-24 - Number 163
2020-09-26 - Number DDU-16
| Card sets | Released in 7 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Sorcery |
Text of card
Look at the top five cards of your library. You may reveal any number of creature cards from among them and put the revealed cards into your hand. Put the rest on the bottom of your library in any order.
Cards like Lead the Stampede
Lead the Stampede stands as a unique selection tool in Magic: The Gathering, closely aligning with the effects of cards like Collected Company. While both allow players to look at the top few cards of their library, Lead the Stampede reveals the top five cards, whereas Collected Company digs only four deep. The distinction lies in the ability to put creatures in your hand rather than directly onto the battlefield, which Collected Company offers for a higher mana cost.
Commune with Nature shares the concept of looking at the top cards; however, with only the top three cards in frame and limited to a single creature, Lead the Stampede promises a broader search. Another analogue is Gather the Pack, which also permits the review of five cards, with the possibility of putting up to two creature cards into your hand, asserting a similar yet conditional efficiency.
Through this lens, Lead the Stampede can be deemed a powerhouse for creature-heavy decks, due to its potential to churn out a handful of assets at a low cost, strengthening its position as a notable member of creature-support spell suites in MTG.
Cards similar to Lead the Stampede by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Lead the Stampede. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Walls Combo | Pauper | Walls Combo | Pauper League 2024-04-11 |
 | Elves | Pauper | Elves | Monthly Tournament #37 |
 | URG | Pauper | Pauper Showcase Challenge 2024-04-20 | |
 | Walls Cascade | Pauper | Walls Cascade | Pauper League 2024-04-21 |
| Walls Scombo | Pauper | Walls Combo | Tappa Lega Pauperissima "Road to Pisa" @Magic Akiba |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Lead the Stampede is a powerhouse when it comes to digging deeper into your library. By revealing the top five cards of your deck and potentially putting multiple creature cards into your hand, you significantly increase your resources while leaving your opponent at a disadvantage.
Resource Acceleration: By selecting creature cards from the top of your library, Lead the Stampede accelerates your board presence without depleting your hand. This maximizes your ability to cast creatures in successive turns, maintaining pressure on your adversary.
Instant Speed: Although Lead the Stampede is a sorcery, it fits perfectly into a deck that aims to deploy threats at a brisk pace. The card’s effect creates immediate impact the turn it’s played, ensuring that your tempo isn’t lost and you’re always ahead of the curve in deploying your resources.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Though Lead the Stampede does not have a direct discard requirement, it indirectly pressures hand management by potentially filling your hand with creatures, leaving less room for non-creature spells or lands, which might need discarding in the cleanup phase due to hand size limit.
Specific Mana Cost: Lead the Stampede’s cost demands one green mana, which can restrict the card’s integration into multicolored decks that might run fewer green sources and hence could struggle to cast it consistently.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost of three, including one green, Lead the Stampede might be considered steep for decks that aim to execute a faster game plan. Other options for creature card advantage could be lower in cost, although they might offer different benefits or come with other drawbacks.
Reasons to Include Lead the Stampede in Your Collection
Versatility: Lead the Stampede is a quintessential choice for creature-heavy decks, allowing players to dig deep into their library. Its utility in quickly refilling your hand makes it a powerful inclusion for various green-based decks, from casual kitchen table builds to more competitive formats.
Combo Potential: This card shines in synergy-driven strategies. The ability to reveal numerous creatures can help assemble key combo pieces, bolstering archetypes that thrive on creature synergies and interactions. It fits naturally into decks that capitalize on creatures entering the battlefield or that require specific creature combinations to execute their game plan.
Meta-Relevance: In metagames where card advantage can make or break a match, Lead the Stampede secures a foothold by drawing multiple cards for a low cost. Its effectiveness in matchups against control decks or in outpacing other midrange strategies makes it a smart choice for players looking to adapt and compete with the shifting tides of MTG gameplay.
How to beat
Lead the Stampede is a potent tool for players looking to replenish their hands with creature cards in Magic: The Gathering. With the ability to dig five cards deep into your library and pick out any creature cards found there, it can be a game-changer in green-centric decks that flood the board with an army of creatures. To effectively counter this card, it’s essential to use spells that limit the number of cards an opponent can draw or to apply graveyard disruption strategies.
Hand disruption cards like Thoughtseize or Inquisition of Kozilek can be played preemptively, removing Lead the Stampede from an opponent’s hand before they have a chance to cast it. Another effective approach is to employ counterspells such as Counterspell or Mana Leak to deny Lead the Stampede altogether. Lastly, graveyard interaction through cards like Grafdigger’s Cage can stifle the advantage gained by preventing creatures from directly entering the battlefield from the library.
To sum up, beating Lead the Stampede requires preemption, disruption, and a strategic approach to diminish the card advantage it provides. Careful play and well-timed responses can turn the tide against this green card-drawing powerhouse.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Lead the Stampede MTG card by a specific set like Mirrodin Besieged 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 Lead the Stampede and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- 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
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Printings
The Lead the Stampede Magic the Gathering card was released in 7 different sets between 2011-02-04 and 2020-04-24. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2011-02-04 | Mirrodin Besieged | MBS | 82 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Efrem Palacios | |
| 2 | 2011-09-02 | Duel Decks: Ajani vs. Nicol Bolas | DDH | 24 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Efrem Palacios | |
| 3 | 2014-06-06 | Conspiracy | CNS | 170 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Efrem Palacios | |
| 4 | 2017-11-17 | Iconic Masters | IMA | 173 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Efrem Palacios | |
| 5 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 1259 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Efrem Palacios | |
| 6 | 2020-04-24 | Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths | IKO | 163 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Lius Lasahido | |
| 7 | The List | PLST | DDU-16 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Efrem Palacios |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Lead the Stampede has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |