Steeple Roc MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Bird |
| Abilities | First strike,Flying |
| Released | 2013-05-03 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Dragon's Maze |
| Set code | DGM |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 1 |
| Number | 8 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | David Palumbo |
Text of card
Flying, first strike
"Sometimes it forgets to loosen its grip before taking flight. I lost my roof that way." —Ecaban, Boros scout
Cards like Steeple Roc
Steeple Roc stands out in Magic: The Gathering as a flying creature with the added ability of first strike, making it a formidable presence in the sky. Its parallels can be drawn to such creatures as Serra Angel, which similarly dominates aerial combat with flying and vigilance. Steeple Roc, however, distinguishes itself with first strike, ensuring it can often avoid damage in combat against other fliers.
Looking at the comparison realm, we find Aven Sunstriker, another avian creature with flying. Aven Sunstriker is unique with its double strike feature, allowing it to outdo Steeple Roc in damage output potential, yet it lacks the strength and resilience of Steeple Roc. Additionally, Aerial Responder is a card that shares the vigilance and flying traits but trades first strike for lifelink, offering a different tactical advantage for maintaining life totals in the game.
In the vast collection of Magic: The Gathering, every card plays a strategic role. Steeple Roc impressively balances offensive and defensive capabilities, positioning itself as a solid choice for players crafting decks aimed at taking command of the aerial battlefield.
Cards similar to Steeple Roc by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Steeple Roc brings combat tricks to the skies, often trading favorably thanks to its first strike, and leaving you ahead in resources by taking down enemy creatures without losing your own.
Resource Acceleration: While the Roc itself doesn’t directly accelerate resources, its moderate casting cost allows for a smooth mana curve in your deck plan, complementing your strategy without consuming excessive resources.
Instant Speed: Although Steeple Roc does not operate at instant speed, its first strike ability gives it a preemptive edge in combat, mimicking the surprise and flexibility often associated with instant-speed interactions.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Steeple Roc doesn’t have an explicit discard requirement, but being a higher-cost card in a fast-paced game might cause it to be discarded from hand to facilitate a smoother curve.
Specific Mana Cost: Steeple Roc demands both white and generic mana, necessitating a balanced mana base. This can be restrictive for multicolored decks that might struggle to meet the specific mana requirements consistently.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of five mana, including two white mana, players might find Steeple Roc a bit steep, considering some more powerful creatures or impactful spells are available at a similar or lower mana cost.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Steeple Roc’s ability to gain flying and first strike makes it a flexible addition to any deck that aims to control the skies. It can serve as both an offensive and defensive asset, adapting to ever-changing game situations.
Combo Potential: With its evasion and first strike capabilities, Steeple Roc pairs well with equipment and aura cards that can exploit its battlefield presence, setting up potential for combo plays that can consistently deal damage to opponents.
Meta-Relevance: In a game where creatures often dominate the board, Steeple Roc can be a game-changer. Its ability to bypass blockers and avoid many common forms of removal makes it a relevant choice against numerous popular strategies.
How to beat
Steeple Roc, a flying threat in the skies of Magic: The Gathering, can be a challenge to overcome. Its combination of flying and first strike makes it a formidable enemy, especially in limited formats where the number of available removal options is restricted. To defeat this adversarial avian, consider including efficient removal spells in your deck that can target creatures regardless of their abilities. Cards like Murder, which straightforwardly destroy any target creature, bypass the Roc’s advantages and equalize the battlefield.
Additionally, optimizing your defense against flying creatures is an astute strategy. Spider cards, commonly equipped with reach, or enchantments like Windstorm that can deal damage to all creatures with flying at once, offers a collection of countermeasures. It’s also worth monitoring your opponent’s mana, as Steeple Roc requires a notable amount of mana to be cast, providing an opportunity to react preemptively. Establishing a board presence with creatures that can outmatch Steeple Roc or deploying sorcery spells that clear the board can also nullify its impact on the game.
Focus on versatility and promptness in your removal tactics, and Steeple Roc’s lofty presence won’t hold the power it once promised. With the right counter-strategies, this MTG card can swiftly be relegated from a threat in the air to a mere memory on the battlefield.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Steeple Roc MTG card by a specific set like Dragon's Maze, 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 Steeple Roc 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 Steeple Roc has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |