Search Party Captain MTG Card
2021-09-24 - Number 32
2022-01-28 - Number 32
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Human Soldier |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
This spell costs less to cast for each creature you attacked with this turn. When Search Party Captain enters the battlefield, draw a card.
"Werewolves leave messy trails. Easy to follow. Hard to forget."
Cards like Search Party Captain
Search Party Captain has carved its niche within the white creature cards in Magic: The Gathering. It draws a close comparison to cards like Mentor of the Meek, which also provides card advantage to players. The Captain, upon entering the battlefield, allows you to draw a card if you’ve attacked with creatures this turn, mirroring the value obtained through Mentor of the Meek’s ability whenever another creature with power 2 or less enters the battlefield under your control. However, Mentor of the Meek requires mana investment to draw, while the Captain’s ability is automatic upon fulfilling its condition.
Seasoned Hallowblade offers another point of comparison. While not directly involved in card drawing, this card is a resilient two-cost creature that can protect itself, thus maintaining board presence. The Search Party Captain, on the other hand, provides immediate value in refilling your hand but trades off self-preservation for card advantage. Ultimately, the Captain’s worth is recognized in decks that emphasize casting multiple spells per turn to decrease its casting cost and thereby maximizing efficiency and tempo.
Therefore, in analyzing card functionality and potential impact on gameplay, Search Party Captain clearly holds its own amongst white creatures that offer card advantage, particularly in aggressive strategies where creatures are consistently attacking.
Cards similar to Search Party Captain by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Search Party Captain. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Mono-White Aggro | Pauper | IPT Pauper Paradise | |
 | Decklist | Free form | 79#CS | |
| W | Pauper | Pauper League 2023-11-29 | |
 | WW | Pauper | Pauper League Finals - Wilds of Eldraine - Mineral Games | |
| Boros Bully | Pauper | Boros Bully | Pauper League 2023-11-15 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Search Party Captain is designed to bolster your hand, rewarding you with a card draw upon entering the battlefield. This can be particularly advantageous when you’re working to outpace your opponent in resources and options.
Resource Acceleration: While Search Party Captain doesn’t directly ramp up mana like artifact or land tutoring can, it does effectively reduce its own casting cost. With a mechanic like “convoke” or casting multiple spells in a turn, you can deploy this card earlier than expected, pacing your resources efficiently over the course of the game.
Instant Speed: Although Search Party Captain is a creature that cannot inherently be cast at instant speed, the flexibility of its reduced casting cost allows you to adapt to the board state. You can pace out your spells and still cast the Captain at a crucial moment, essentially utilizing your mana and turns with the precision akin to instant speed plays.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: As enticing as drawing cards can be, Search Party Captain comes with a particular requirement that makes its cost heavier than it appears. To fully take advantage of its cost reduction feature, you must have attacked with a number of creatures first. This condition can sometimes be hard to meet, especially in the early game or if your board presence is weak.
Specific Mana Cost: The necessity to pay white mana for Search Party Captain means that this card is specifically tailored for white or multicolor decks that include white mana. This can be limiting as it cannot slot into just any deck, potentially reducing its versatility across various MTG playstyles.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although the casting cost can be reduced, the Search Party Captain requires you to cast it for four mana if not meeting the cost reduction condition. In situations where you’re unable to attack with enough creatures, its mana cost may seem steep, especially when other options in the game can offer card draw or creature presence on the board for a lower cost.
Reasons to Include Search Party Captain in Your Collection
Versatility: Search Party Captain is a card that seamlessly integrates into a variety of white-based decks. Due to its cost-reduction mechanic, it can be played earlier than expected, providing card draw which is often scarce in white decks.
Combo Potential: This card shines in decks that focus on creatures entering the battlefield, as its draw effect can be compounded with other ‘enters the battlefield’ triggers for maximum value.
Meta-Relevance: In a metagame filled with creature-based strategies, Search Party Captain holds its ground by not only offering a body on the board but also refilling your hand to maintain pressure against opponents.
How to beat
The Search Party Captain presents a unique challenge for MTG players. As a creature that allows you to draw a card when it enters the battlefield, it’s particularly valuable in decks that focus on casting numerous spells in a single turn. To effectively counter this, having a game plan that covers removal spells ready to deploy can be pivotal. Instant-speed removal such as Shock or Fatal Push can dispose of the Captain before the card advantage swings in your opponent’s favor.
Moreover, strategies involving creature counters, like Essence Scatter or Negate when paired against trigger-heavy spells, can prevent the Captain from hitting the board in the first place. Keeping a watchful eye on the board state and managing your resources efficiently will ensure that your opponent doesn’t gain the upper hand through Search Party Captain’s card draw ability. In essence, prioritizing the removal or countering of cards that offer your opponent a draw mechanism is a key tactic in maintaining control of the match.
Overall, mastering the timing and selection of your removal and counter resources will be essential when facing a deck that capitalizes on the utility of Search Party Captain and similar draw-and-play mechanics.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Search Party Captain MTG card by a specific set like Innistrad: Midnight Hunt and Innistrad: Double Feature, 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 Search Party Captain 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Search Party Captain Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2021-09-24 and 2022-01-28. Illustrated by Mike Bierek.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2021-09-24 | Innistrad: Midnight Hunt | MID | 32 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Mike Bierek | |
| 2 | 2022-01-28 | Innistrad: Double Feature | DBL | 32 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Mike Bierek |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Search Party Captain has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |