Steam Frigate MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Human Pirate
Released	1998-06-24
Set symbol
Set name	Portal Second Age
Set code	P02
Power	3
Toughness	3
Number	47
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Mark Tedin

Key Takeaways

Offers hand replenishment and strategic maneuvering with its card advantage feature.
Accelerates resource availability, granting faster access to spells and creatures.
Can be played at instant speed, allowing for unexpected and tactical responses.

Text of card

Steam Frigate can't attack unless the defending player has an island in play.

"Is it merchants or is it pirates?" "It's Talas—there's no difference."

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Navigating the tides of battle, Steam Frigate offers a strategic edge by replenishing your hand, ensuring you have the necessary tools to outmaneuver opponents as the game progresses.

Resource Acceleration: This vessel not only sails but soars through resource pools, providing you with an additional burst of mana to deploy your forces or set sail to powerful spells ahead of schedule.

Instant Speed: The ability to respond at a moment’s notice is pivotal in MTG. Steam Frigate can be deployed at instant speed, allowing you to adapt swiftly to an ever-changing battlefield without missing a beat.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One downside to Steam Frigate is a compulsory discard action when you cast it. This could potentially strip you of a vital card at a crucial moment, particularly if you’re managing a lean hand size.

Specific Mana Cost: Its casting cost requires a certain combination of mana types that ties you down to a specific color strategy. For players not running a deck built around these colors, incorporating Steam Frigate can be a challenge.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its mana cost being on the steeper side, Steam Frigate may not be as cost-effective compared to other options available. Players must weigh its battlefield impact against other cards with similar or lower costs for better deck efficiency.

Reasons to Include Steam Frigate in Your Collection

Versatility: Steam Frigate offers a flexible role in blue-based decks. Its ability to convert into a creature allows it to serve as a surprise blocker or an unexpected source of damage on an empty board.

Combo Potential: As a card with inherent transform capabilities, Steam Frigate can be a key component in decks that capitalize on transforming permanents or those that utilize a fleet of artifact creatures.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment where artifact synergy is prominent or there’s a need for versatile threats that can adjust to various situations, Steam Frigate could prove to be a strategic addition to your arsenal.

How to beat

Steam Frigate may not be the most intimidating creature card to face on the battlefield, but it comes with its own set of tactical advantages which can be challenging to navigate for opposing players. The key to overpowering Steam Frigate lies in understanding its strengths and exploiting its weaknesses.

Firstly, it is essential to prevent Steam Frigate from exploiting its full potential by harnessing disruption tactics. This could involve employing removal spells to keep the battlefield clear or using counter spells to prevent it from entering the battlefield in the first place. Another effective strategy is to outpace the card’s benefits with swifter creatures and spells, ensuring your own offensive is too much for the Frigate to handle.

Additionally, carefully managing your resources to maintain a strategic advantage is critical. Utilize high-impact spells that can take out multiple targets or set up defenses that nullify Steam Frigate’s attacks. By having a well-rounded game plan that addresses the threats posed by cards like Steam Frigate, players can maintain control and eventually steer the game in their favor.

Cards like Steam Frigate

Steam Frigate holds its own in the realm of cost-effective creatures within Magic: The Gathering. It’s akin to other two-mana cost creatures, like Skyship Plunderer, which shares the nautical theme and the same mana value. Nevertheless, Steam Frigate distinguishes itself with its unique set of abilities that cater to a specific strategy.

Additionally, Waterfront Bouncer is another card that might be compared to Steam Frigate, albeit with a different approach. This card, while having an interactive ability that controls the board by returning creatures to their owner’s hand, lacks the straightforward aggressiveness of the Steam Frigate.

Moreover, cards like Rishadan Cutpurse also play a role in the piracy theme, forcing opponents to sacrifice permanents whenever they come into play. This effect creates a different kind of advantage over the opponent compared to the Steam Frigate’s more direct approach to battles on the high seas.

Ultimately, each card offers unique advantages within their deck archetypes. Steam Frigate appeals to players looking for a solid creature that can be both a reliable blocker and an efficient attacker in the early game.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Steam Frigate MTG card by a specific set like Portal Second Age, 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 Steam Frigate and other MTG cards: