Statecraft MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Enchantment |
| Released | 1999-10-04 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Mercadian Masques |
| Set code | MMQ |
| Number | 106 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Mike Ploog |
Text of card
Prevent all combat damage that would be dealt to and dealt by creatures you control.
"Inside these walls, peace; outside, sharks. You choose." —Saprazzan vizier
Cards like Statecraft
Statecraft is a unique enchantment in Magic: The Gathering that has a strategic impact on the game’s combat phase. It bears resemblance to cards such as Ghostly Prison and Propaganda, which also influence combat dynamics. However, Statecraft has its own distinctive twist – rather than taxing opponents for attacking, it nullifies damage dealt by creatures. This is in stark contrast to Ghostly Prison and Propaganda which allow attacks to occur at a cost, maintaining the potential for damage.
Another card worth mentioning is Island Sanctuary. Like Statecraft, this enchantment offers a form of protection, albeit under different conditions that require skipping the draw step to prevent being attacked by non-flying creatures. Statecraft, conversely, doesn’t restrict card draw, but impacts all creatures’ damage output. Then there’s Crawl Space, limiting the number of creatures that may attack each turn. Unlike Statecraft, which controls damage broadly, Crawl Space can be strategically bypassed by opponents with fewer, more powerful creatures.
Upon analysis, Statecraft offers a defensive measure that can be particularly effective in multiplayer games, or where maintaining high life totals is crucial. Its ability to turn off creature damage across the board sets it apart, offering players a different angle of control in Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Statecraft by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Statecraft offers a strategic advantage by allowing you to manipulate draw outcomes. When paired with cards that enable you to draw multiple cards in a turn, the advantage amplifies, granting you the upper hand in card accessibility.
Resource Acceleration: By potentially dictating the pace of the game, Statecraft can lead to indirect resource acceleration. It may not generate mana or tokens itself, but controlling the field can result in preserved resources, allowing you to deploy other accelerative strategies with greater efficiency.
Instant Speed: The ability of Statecraft to impact battles at instant speed makes it a formidable addition to any deck. Its capacity to be played in response to an opponent’s actions allows for surprise shifts in the flow of the game, often catching opponents off-guard and turning the tide in your favor.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Statecraft’s activation requires you to discard a card, presenting a potential setback when your hand is nearly empty or when each card holds significant value for your strategy.
Specific Mana Cost: Possessing a particularly color-intensive mana cost, Statecraft demands two blue mana to play. This requirement can restrict the card’s integration in multicolored decks that may not consistently have the necessary blue sources.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of four mana, including two from a specific color, Statecraft’s ability to affect the board may not be as cost-effective compared to other options that demand less mana and offer immediate impact without additional resources.
Reasons to Include Statecraft in Your Collection
Versatility: Statecraft offers a unique approach to controlling the battlefield. Its ability to suppress combat damage can be a critical element in decks that prioritize a defensive strategy or need time to assemble game-winning combos.
Combo Potential: With this enchantment, players have an opportunity to establish unbreakable defenses while setting up their own board. Its synergy with cards that benefit from damage prevention or that have abilities triggering from enchantments can be downright devastating.
Meta-Relevance: In a game dominated by aggressive creature strategies, Statecraft becomes a valuable tool. Its capacity to nullify combat damage can turn the tide against creature-heavy decks, making it a relevant sideboard card or even a main deck option depending on the pace of play.
How to beat Statecraft
Statecraft is an intriguing enchantment that has the potential to shift the course of a match in Magic: The Gathering. Its unique effect prevents all combat damage that would be dealt to and dealt by creatures you control. This means, if your strategy revolves around dealing damage through creature combat, Statecraft can be a serious roadblock.
To effectively counter this card, consider using removal spells that can target enchantments directly such as Disenchant or Naturalize. Another strategy is to focus on non-combat damage sources like burn spells – Lightning Bolt or Shock – that deliver damage directly to players or creatures. Alternatively, capitalize on effects that cause loss of life without dealing damage, for those are unaffected by Statecraft’s ability.
In summary, switching focus from combat damage to other forms of board control and life reduction is the key to prevailing against a Statecraft locked opponent. Including versatile answers in your deck to handle enchantments will ensure Statecraft doesn’t disrupt your path to victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Statecraft MTG card by a specific set like Mercadian Masques, 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 Statecraft 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
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Statecraft has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |