Battle Squadron MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Goblin
Abilities Flying
Power *
Toughness *

Key Takeaways

  1. Strengthens with number of creatures, becoming an overwhelming force on the battlefield.
  2. Boosts power instantly with token-generating spells, surprising opponents with sudden growth.
  3. Demands careful play due to heavy red mana cost and risk of losing card advantage.

Text of card

Flying Battle Squadron's power and toughness are each equal to the number of creatures you control.

The goblins made an unruly pile with military precision.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Battle Squadron’s power and toughness are each equal to the number of creatures you control, offering potential for a significant board presence which translates into pressing your advantage in numbers. Additionally, in formats where token generation is prominent, this card can become an imposing force, leveraging your swarm of creatures into a formidable offensive asset.

Resource Acceleration: When paired with cards or abilities that quickly populate the board, Battle Squadron acts as a form of resource acceleration. The growing threat can force opponents to answer it swiftly, often using up more resources than you invested, thus leaving them at a disadvantage for future exchanges.

Instant Speed: While not an instant itself, Battle Squadron can greatly benefit from instant-speed spells that create creatures. Casting such spells at the end of an opponent’s turn to boost the squadron’s size right before your attack can catch opponents off guard, maximizing both the surprise factor and the damage potential.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: This flying Goblin horde thrives on a full hand. However, to harness its full potential, you might need to shed important cards, which can put you at a disadvantage if you’re already behind on card advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: Locked in the realms of red mana, Battle Squadron demands a significant amount of this specific resource. If your deck isn’t dedicated to red or lacks sufficient mana fixing, playing this card could be challenging.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a weighty mana cost attached to its wings, Battle Squadron can be a cumbersome drop in the earlier turns. You’ll find that some decks offer more agile threats or defensive plays for an equal or lower investment.


Reasons to Include Battle Squadron in Your Collection

Versatility: Battle Squadron provides a dynamic option for decks that thrive on creature numbers. Its power and toughness fluctuate based on the creatures you control, making it a flexible threat on any board state.

Combo Potential: This card naturally pairs with strategies that create numerous creature tokens. Amplify your offensive potential by combining it with cards that multiply your tokens to quickly boost Battle Squadron’s size.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where aggressive swarming tactics are effective, Battle Squadron can be a critical component. It has the ability to apply considerable pressure on opponents and can turn the tide of battle when the battlefield is densely populated with allies.


How to Beat Battle Squadron

Battle Squadron is an intriguing creature card that can quickly escalate in power and toughness based on the number of creatures you control. Found in the goblin archetype, it has the potential to become a massive aerial threat if left unchecked on the battlefield. Devising a strategy to counter it is imperative for maintaining control of the game.

To effectively neutralize Battle Squadron, removal spells that can bypass its potentially large health pool are key. Cards like Murder, which outright destroy a target creature, or board wipes like Day of Judgment can be highly efficient against it, regardless of its size at the time. Additionally, keeping the number of creatures your opponent controls to a minimum can stifle Battle Squadron’s growth, making it less of a threat. Tools for this include spot removal or counter spells to prevent your opponent from building a large creature base. Countering it on cast with a spell like Counterspell, or using enchantments like Imprisoned in the Moon to render it harmless, are also viable tactics.

By implementing these strategies, you can dismantle the power behind Battle Squadron, stopping it from overrunning the skies and leading you towards victory.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering MTG requires an understanding of the synergy between cards like Battle Squadron and your deck’s overall strategy. As we’ve explored, this card’s strength varies directly with the number of creatures you control, making it a powerful force in creature-heavy decks. Whether you’re considering adding Battle Squadron to your collection for its combo potential, its utility in certain metas, or simply for its raw power as a standalone card, there’s a lot to consider. We encourage you to dive deeper into the tactics and deck-building philosophies that can make Battle Squadron a champion in your arsenal. Discover more insights, sharp strategies, and other hidden gems to carry your MTG gameplay to soaring new heights. Join the BurnMana community and unravel the full potential of your deck.


Cards like Battle Squadron

Battle Squadron is a formidable presence on the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering. This card echoes the might of creatures like Mogg War Marshal and Beetleback Chief but stands out with its potential for scale. What makes Battle Squadron particularly powerful is its fluid power and toughness that vary directly with the number of creatures under your command. Mogg War Marshal and Beetleback Chief also bring additional goblins onto the field, but the Squadron’s stat flexibility can turn the tides in a game, especially in decks swarming with creatures.

Krenko, Mob Boss is another card that synergizes well with the goblin-centric strategy of Battle Squadron. Krenko’s ability to duplicate your goblin army each turn can exponentially increase the Squadron’s threat level. However, unlike the passive nature of Battle Squadron’s power, Krenko requires tapping, which constrains its utility to your turn. Meanwhile, Adaptive Automaton offers a static buff to creature types of choice but lacks the explosive power potential of the Squadron. It serves a support role, while Battle Squadron can be a game-ending threat on its own merits.

Altogether, Battle Squadron carves a unique niche among its peers, offering unparalleled power in the right setup, making it a fearsome card in any creature-heavy MTG deck.

Mogg War Marshal - MTG Card versions
Beetleback Chief - MTG Card versions
Krenko, Mob Boss - MTG Card versions
Adaptive Automaton - MTG Card versions
Mogg War Marshal - Time Spiral (TSP)
Beetleback Chief - Planechase 2012 (PC2)
Krenko, Mob Boss - Magic 2013 (M13)
Adaptive Automaton - Magic 2012 (M12)

Cards similar to Battle Squadron by color, type and mana cost

Fire Elemental - MTG Card versions
Earth Elemental - MTG Card versions
Eron the Relentless - MTG Card versions
Balduvian War-Makers - MTG Card versions
Hivis of the Scale - MTG Card versions
Hulking Cyclops - MTG Card versions
Flame Spirit - MTG Card versions
Flowstone Salamander - MTG Card versions
Ma Chao, Western Warrior - MTG Card versions
Ravaging Horde - MTG Card versions
Covetous Dragon - MTG Card versions
Thundering Giant - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Strike Force - MTG Card versions
Savage Firecat - MTG Card versions
Volatile Arsonist // Dire-Strain Anarchist - MTG Card versions
Tephraderm - MTG Card versions
Avarax - MTG Card versions
Bonethorn Valesk - MTG Card versions
Frost Ogre - MTG Card versions
Heartless Hidetsugu - MTG Card versions
Fire Elemental - Core Set 2020 (M20)
Earth Elemental - Salvat 2011 (PS11)
Eron the Relentless - Pro Tour Collector Set (PTC)
Balduvian War-Makers - Alliances (ALL)
Hivis of the Scale - Mirage (MIR)
Hulking Cyclops - Visions (VIS)
Flame Spirit - Fifth Edition (5ED)
Flowstone Salamander - Tempest (TMP)
Ma Chao, Western Warrior - Portal Three Kingdoms (PTK)
Ravaging Horde - Portal Three Kingdoms (PTK)
Covetous Dragon - World Championship Decks 1999 (WC99)
Thundering Giant - Tenth Edition (10E)
Dwarven Strike Force - Odyssey (ODY)
Savage Firecat - Odyssey (ODY)
Volatile Arsonist // Dire-Strain Anarchist - Innistrad: Crimson Vow (VOW)
Tephraderm - Onslaught (ONS)
Avarax - Dominaria Remastered (DMR)
Bonethorn Valesk - Scourge (SCG)
Frost Ogre - Betrayers of Kamigawa (BOK)
Heartless Hidetsugu - Betrayers of Kamigawa (BOK)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Battle Squadron MTG card by a specific set like Mercadian Masques and Eternal Masters, 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 Battle Squadron and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Battle Squadron Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 1999-10-04 and 2022-12-02. Illustrated by Mark Tedin.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11999-10-04Mercadian MasquesMMQ 1741997normalblackMark Tedin
22016-06-10Eternal MastersEMA 1182015normalblackMark Tedin
32017-10-24Duel Decks: Merfolk vs. GoblinsDDT 332015normalblackMark Tedin
42021-08-26Jumpstart: Historic HorizonsJ21 4132015normalblackMark Tedin
52022-12-02Jumpstart 2022J22 4972015normalblackMark Tedin

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Battle Squadron has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
CommanderLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2016-06-08 Battle Squadron’s last ability applies in all zones. While it’s on the battlefield, it counts itself, so it’ll be at least 1/1.

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