Perimeter Captain MTG Card


Perimeter Captain - Worldwake
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Human Soldier
Abilities Defender
Released2010-02-05
Set symbol
Set nameWorldwake
Set codeWWK
Power 0
Toughness 4
Number16
Frame2003
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred bySteven Belledin

Key Takeaways

  1. Perimeter Captain fortifies game position by offsetting the need for defensive draws.
  2. Its low cost speeds up defense setup, crucial for early game stability.
  3. Instantaneous defense activation enables tactical responses to enemy threats.

Text of card

Defender Whenever a creature you control with defender blocks, you may gain 2 life.

"We stand between the jaws of chaos and the mantle of order."


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Perimeter Captain’s ability to potentially prevent damage can substitute the need for drawing additional defense, indirectly preserving cards in hand for other plays.

Resource Acceleration: While Perimeter Captain itself doesn’t generate mana, its low casting cost contributes to a quicker board presence, setting up defenses early and paving the way for more powerful spells sooner.

Instant Speed: The Captain’s capacity to act as a defender at any time gives you the flexibility to respond dynamically to threats and maintain a strong defensive posture without necessarily having to commit to other preventive actions during your own turn.


Card Cons

Specific Mana Cost: Perimeter Captain requires white mana, which can restrict its inclusion to decks that are based on this color or that can reliably generate it.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: At a converted mana cost of two, including one white mana, Perimeter Captain may compete with other low-drop creatures that provide more immediate board presence or utility, especially considering it’s a defensive card in nature.

Discard Requirement: While Perimeter Captain itself does not have a discard requirement, its defensive utility may not be as beneficial if you are forced to discard other cards from your hand for various reasons, thereby reducing your ability to maintain a strong card advantage.


Reasons to Include Perimeter Captain in Your Collection

Versatility: The Perimeter Captain is a solid addition to any defensive strategy. The card’s ability to gain life when a defender blocks can bolster your life total while deterring opponents from attacking.

Combo Potential: Perimeter Captain works well with cards that enable multiple blockers or create tokens with defender. It amplifies the value of every block, which can be crucial in sustaining your position in a game.

Meta-Relevance: With aggro decks prominent in various MTG metas, having Perimeter Captain can be a key tactical element. Its defensive capabilities help you survive the early onslaught, giving you time to establish your board and turn the game in your favor.


How to beat

Perimeter Captain presents an interesting defensive challenge for players navigating the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering. Known for its ability to gain life whenever a defender under your control blocks, this card can significantly prolong the game, especially in decks designed around defense. The Captain, however, is not undefeatable. Utilizing spells that bypass creatures altogether, such as direct damage spells or those that inflict loss of life, can circumvent the life-gain ability.

Moreover, strategies that focus on removing creatures from the board can pay off. Cards offering exile or destroy effects can effectively handle Perimeter Captain before its ability becomes relevant. Board wipes can also serve as a reset button, clearing out multiple defenders at once, including the Captain. To optimize this approach, targeting the Captain early before substantial lifegain buildup can be crucial.

Additionally, embracing flying or unblockable creatures offers a way to avoid engaging with Perimeter Captain and its defensive cohorts. Moving steadily into the late game where bigger threats can overwhelm any incremental life gain is yet another viable tactic. In essence, understanding and preemptively preparing for the Captain’s life-gain mechanism is key in dominating the field against this stalwart defender.


BurnMana Recommendations

The allure of Perimeter Captain lies in its adeptness at enhancing your MTG defensive lineup. Its unique ability to gain life while blocking can shift the momentum of the game in your favor. If you appreciate a playstyle that values endurance over swift aggression, this card may deserve a place in your collection. It’s especially relevant for staunching the rapid advance of aggro opponents, buying you precious time to unfold your strategy. Ready for a sturdier defense that outlasts your opponents’ strikes? Let’s delve deeper together. Join the BurnMana community for insights and strategies to truly harness the power of Perimeter Captain in your deck!


Cards like Perimeter Captain

Perimeter Captain holds its ground within the pantheon of defensive creatures in Magic: The Gathering. It can be likened to creatures such as Wall of Omens, which also serves a protective function by being a solid wall for players. Where Perimeter Captain stands out is in its ability to bolster a player’s life total every time it blocks a creature. Wall of Omens doesn’t offer this life-gaining feature, though it provides card draw when it enters the battlefield.

Another close relative in terms of defensive utility is Wall of Essence. This sturdy defender has the talent for gaining life as well, mirroring the Captain’s capability, but it operates differently. Wall of Essence gains life equivalent to the damage it receives, while Perimeter Captain rewards proactive defense with a static life gain. Moreover, Carven Caryatid draws a card upon entering the battlefield, which is a different approach to defense through resource advantage compared to the Captain’s ongoing lifegain strategy during combat.

Through comparing these guardians of the battlefield, Perimeter Captain emerges as a uniquely valuable ally for any player favoring a durable defense with the added benefit of consistent life gain, providing a steady edge in prolonged matches.

Wall of Omens - MTG Card versions
Wall of Essence - MTG Card versions
Carven Caryatid - MTG Card versions
Wall of Omens - Rise of the Eldrazi (ROE)
Wall of Essence - Stronghold (STH)
Carven Caryatid - Ravnica: City of Guilds (RAV)

Cards similar to Perimeter Captain by color, type and mana cost

Savannah Lions - MTG Card versions
Benalish Hero - MTG Card versions
Icatian Infantry - MTG Card versions
Icatian Scout - MTG Card versions
Icatian Javelineers - MTG Card versions
Kjeldoran Warrior - MTG Card versions
Trade Caravan - MTG Card versions
Honor Guard - MTG Card versions
Volunteer Militia - MTG Card versions
Nomads en-Kor - MTG Card versions
Soul Warden - MTG Card versions
Resistance Fighter - MTG Card versions
Honorable Scout - MTG Card versions
Faerie Guidemother // Gift of the Fae - MTG Card versions
Kor Duelist - MTG Card versions
Yoshimaru, Ever Faithful - MTG Card versions
Mother of Runes - MTG Card versions
Daru Mender - MTG Card versions
Eager Cadet - MTG Card versions
Bushi Tenderfoot // Kenzo the Hardhearted - MTG Card versions
Savannah Lions - Collectors' Edition (CED)
Benalish Hero - Fourth Edition (4ED)
Icatian Infantry - Fallen Empires (FEM)
Icatian Scout - Fallen Empires (FEM)
Icatian Javelineers - Masters Edition II (ME2)
Kjeldoran Warrior - Ice Age (ICE)
Trade Caravan - Homelands (HML)
Honor Guard - Stronghold (STH)
Volunteer Militia - Portal Second Age (P02)
Nomads en-Kor - World Championship Decks 1998 (WC98)
Soul Warden - Historic Anthology 1 (HA1)
Resistance Fighter - Classic Sixth Edition (6ED)
Honorable Scout - Planeshift (PLS)
Faerie Guidemother // Gift of the Fae - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Kor Duelist - Wizards Play Network 2009 (PWP09)
Yoshimaru, Ever Faithful - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Mother of Runes - The List (PLST)
Daru Mender - Legions (LGN)
Eager Cadet - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Bushi Tenderfoot // Kenzo the Hardhearted - Champions of Kamigawa (CHK)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Perimeter Captain MTG card by a specific set like Worldwake, 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 Perimeter Captain and other MTG cards:

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See Magic products

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Perimeter Captain has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

Recent MTG decks

Continue exploring other format decks
More decks