Tempered Steel MTG Card


Amplifies artifact creature value, creating an indirect card advantage through quality. Constant battlefield impact without ongoing mana costs enables strategic resource allocation. Its restricted color cost and mana value require careful deck construction consideration.
Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeEnchantment

Text of card

Artifact creatures you control get +2/+2.


Cards like Tempered Steel

Tempered Steel stands as a unique anthem effect in Magic: The Gathering, boosting the power and toughness of artifact creatures. A comparable card is Glorious Anthem, which provides a similar static boost to your creatures irrespective of their type. However, Tempered Steel specifically enhances artifact creatures, potentially offering a larger increase in power for decks centered around that theme.

Chief of the Foundry is another card that synergizes well with artifact creatures, increasing their strength and toughness. While its effect is the same as Tempered Steel, being a creature itself, Chief of the Foundry is more vulnerable to removal. Tempered Steel’s enchantment nature makes it a more resilient option to maintain a board presence. Then we have Steel Overseer, an artifact creature that can consistently grow your army’s size on every turn. Unlike the passive buffs from Tempered Steel, the Overseer’s ability requires it to remain untapped and survive between turns, which can be quite challenging.

In summary, Tempered Steel offers a powerful and enduring advantage for artifact-themed decks, especially relevant in fast-paced matches. Its particular focus on artifact creatures and enchantment resilience makes it a formidable choice for players looking to maximize the potential of their mechanical minions.

Glorious Anthem - MTG Card versions
Chief of the Foundry - MTG Card versions
Steel Overseer - MTG Card versions
Glorious Anthem - MTG Card versions
Chief of the Foundry - MTG Card versions
Steel Overseer - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Tempered Steel by color, type and mana cost

Damping Field - MTG Card versions
Farmstead - MTG Card versions
Cooperation - MTG Card versions
Noble Steeds - MTG Card versions
Aura of Silence - MTG Card versions
Empyrial Armor - MTG Card versions
Cessation - MTG Card versions
Arrest - MTG Card versions
Glorious Anthem - MTG Card versions
Samite Sanctuary - MTG Card versions
Pariah - MTG Card versions
Tattoo Ward - MTG Card versions
Sparring Regimen - MTG Card versions
Shielded by Faith - MTG Card versions
The Restoration of Eiganjo // Architect of Restoration - MTG Card versions
Oblivion Ring - MTG Card versions
Cage of Hands - MTG Card versions
Rune-Tail, Kitsune Ascendant // Rune-Tail's Essence - MTG Card versions
Guardian's Magemark - MTG Card versions
Celestial Dawn - MTG Card versions
Damping Field - MTG Card versions
Farmstead - MTG Card versions
Cooperation - MTG Card versions
Noble Steeds - MTG Card versions
Aura of Silence - MTG Card versions
Empyrial Armor - MTG Card versions
Cessation - MTG Card versions
Arrest - MTG Card versions
Glorious Anthem - MTG Card versions
Samite Sanctuary - MTG Card versions
Pariah - MTG Card versions
Tattoo Ward - MTG Card versions
Sparring Regimen - MTG Card versions
Shielded by Faith - MTG Card versions
The Restoration of Eiganjo // Architect of Restoration - MTG Card versions
Oblivion Ring - MTG Card versions
Cage of Hands - MTG Card versions
Rune-Tail, Kitsune Ascendant // Rune-Tail's Essence - MTG Card versions
Guardian's Magemark - MTG Card versions
Celestial Dawn - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Tempered Steel doesn’t directly let you draw cards, but by boosting each artifact creature you control, it effectively amplifies the value of every relevant creature card played. This creates an indirect card advantage through quality over quantity, as your individual artifact creatures become significantly stronger threats on the board.

Resource Acceleration: While Tempered Steel does not produce mana or tokens, it serves as a force multiplier for your artifacts. By granting a universal power and toughness increase to your creatures, it accelerates your board presence and potential to close out the game more swiftly, maximizing the resources you already have in play.

Instant Speed: As an enchantment, Tempered Steel is cast at sorcery speed. However, its enduring effect on the battlefield is constant and doesn’t require additional mana investment after it’s played. This allows you to dedicate future turns and mana to other spells while continually reaping the benefits of its static power-up effect.


Card Cons

Specific Mana Cost: Tempered Steel has a mana cost that requires two white mana, which can be restrictive for multicolored decks aiming for color flexibility.

Discard Requirement: While Tempered Steel doesn’t require you to discard a card, it’s important to note it traditionally fits in strategies with low card draw, making each card in hand particularly valuable.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a cost of three mana, this enchantment’s impact must be evaluated against other powerful three-drop options, which may offer immediate board presence or broader utility.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Tempered Steel offers a broad application, seamlessly integrating into artifact-heavy decks, particularly those focusing on aggressive strategies with artifact creatures.

Combo Potential: Its ability to give a notable power and toughness boost creates synergies with cards that benefit from increased artifact strength or place multiple artifact creatures into play simultaneously.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment where artifact decks are prevalent or where creature buffs can decisively turn the tide of battle, Tempered Steel’s impact makes it a formidable contender, holding its value across various metagame shifts.


How to beat

Tempered Steel is a powerful artifact-centric enchantment in MTG that can bolster your opponent’s creature strength significantly. Its ability to grant +2/+2 to each artifact creature can turn even a modest squad of small artifacts into a formidable army. To effectively counter this card, it’s essential to employ artifact destruction or enchantment removal tools. Cards like Naturalize or Disenchant can be invaluable in dismantling the power boost provided by Tempered Steel.

Board wipes are another strategic method to level the playing field. Cards such as Wrath of God or Damnation can clear the board of enhanced creatures, negating the advantage Tempered Steel gives. In addition, keeping card advantage and maintaining pressure on your opponent’s life total can often force them into a defensive position, limiting the impact of their enhanced creatures. Playing reactively and keeping removal in hand for key threats will make Tempered Steel much less intimidating.

Understanding your opponent’s strategy and preemptively disrupting their artifact base can prevent them from ever capitalizing on Tempered Steel’s strength. By adopting these tactics, you can navigate around this potent enchantment and secure your victory on the battlefield.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering MTG gameplay involves strategic deck building and insight into key cards like Tempered Steel that can turn the tides in artifact-centric matchups. Boosting your creatures’ power levels isn’t just about adding heft; it shapes the battlefield dynamics and can swiftly amplify your path to victory. If you’re intrigued by this potent card’s ability to uplift your artifact creatures and fortify your deck’s overall might, delve deeper into the nuances of artifact play. Learn how Tempered Steel could become the linchpin in your arsenal, and explore strategies that could bring your deck construction to the forefront of competitive play. For a comprehensive guide on harnessing the formidable power of Tempered Steel and its synergistic possibilities, enhance your game knowledge with us today.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Tempered Steel MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and DCI Promos, 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 Tempered Steel and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Tempered Steel Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2006-01-02 and 2022-11-18. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 378652003NormalBlackjD
22006-01-02DCI PromosPDCI 622003NormalBlackjD
32010-10-01Scars of MirrodinSOM 242003NormalBlackWayne Reynolds
42020-08-07Double Masters2XM 342015NormalBlackWayne Reynolds
52022-11-18The Brothers' War CommanderBRC 761997NormalBlackWayne Reynolds

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Tempered Steel has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
GladiatorLegal
BrawlLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2020-08-07 Because damage remains marked on a creature until the damage is removed as the turn ends, nonlethal damage dealt to artifact creatures you control may become lethal if Tempered Steel leaves the battlefield during that turn.