Rockcaster Platoon MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	7
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Rhino Soldier
Released	2008-10-03
Set symbol
Set name	Shards of Alara
Set code	ALA
Power	5
Toughness	7
Number	23
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	David Palumbo

Key Takeaways

Generates extra card advantage when casting high mana spells, increasing hand options.
Rockcaster Platoon accelerates mana generation, allowing casting of larger spells efficiently.
Operates at instant speed, fostering a reactive and strategic approach to gameplay.

Text of card

: Rockcaster Platoon deals 2 damage to each creature with flying and each player.

"Aven bandits can be sly. You've got to fill the sky with boulders—and then seek cover immediately." —Knight-Captain Wyhorn

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Rockcaster Platoon mtg card offers a strategic edge by potentially drawing additional cards whenever you cast a spell with a converted mana cost of 5 or greater. This can quickly overtake your opponent with an overflow of options.

Resource Acceleration: With the distinct ability to produce colorless mana, Rockcaster Platoon can propel your gameplay, allowing the casting of bigger spells sooner than your opponents would expect. This mana can also fuel activated abilities, effectively hastening your board presence and dominance.

Instant Speed: Acting at instant speed, the Rockcaster Platoon enables a reactive style of play. You can deploy your forces while keeping your mana untapped to respond to threats or end-of-turn surprises, ensuring you’re always a step ahead in the duel.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Deploying Rockcaster Platoon necessitates the discard of another card. This prerequisite can hinder your flow, especially when your hand is already depleting, and every card counts. It’s crucial to consider your hand’s size and value before playing Rockcaster Platoon to avoid an unfavorable exchange.

Specific Mana Cost: Rockcaster Platoon demands not just any mana, but a fixed combination which includes white. This requirement can occasionally clash with a player’s mana base, highlighly impacting those with multi-colored decks that might struggle to consistently meet color-specific mana costs at the crucial moments of the game.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that’s on the higher end compared to other creatures in its tier, Rockcaster Platoon can be a tough play in the early game. When speed is of the essence, especially in formats that favor quick setups, the Platoon’s cost may seem steep relative to its impact on the battlefield, leaving players to ponder if their mana could be invested in a more impactful way.

Reasons to Include Rockcaster Platoon in Your Collection

Versatility: Rockcaster Platoon can seamlessly integrate into a variety of deck archetypes. Its ability to hold the line on defense while offering late-game reach through its tap ability makes it a valuable addition to both aggressive and control-oriented decks.

Combo Potential: This card has great synergy when combined with effects that untap creatures, allowing you to utilize its ranged damage ability more than once in a turn. It can become a cornerstone in decks that look to manipulate and exploit tapping and untapping mechanics.

Meta-Relevance: In a gameplay environment where creature-based strategies are prevalent, Rockcaster Platoon shines by providing both a sizable blocker and a method to chip away at opposing creatures or players. Its presence in your collection ensures you have a responsive tool to adapt to various shifts in the competitive scene.

How to beat Rockcaster Platoon

Rockcaster Platoon is an intriguing unit to navigate around in the Magic: The Gathering realm. With its notable ability to create Stoneforged Blade tokens, it provides persistent board presence, making it a threat that requires a well-devised plan to overcome. To effectively dismantle this card’s influence, consider executing removals post-token generation to minimize the value your opponent reaps from their platoon.

Spot removal spells such as Path to Exile or Unmake can exile Rockcaster Platoon, denying any further token production. Board wipes also serve as efficient solutions, with Wrath of God or Damnation capable of clearing the tokens alongside the Platoon itself. Timing is key: allow them to commit to the board before sweeping. Utilizing bounce spells like Cyclonic Rift can disrupt their tempo, especially since recasting Rockcaster Platoon means a significant mana investment from your opponent.

Strategically, constraining Rockcaster Platoon’s impact involves managing both the card and the tokens it generates. Swift removal, bounce effects, or well-timed board wipes can ensure you maintain control of the game, showcasing the importance of versatile answers within your deck to address resilient threats like Rockcaster Platoon.

Cards like Rockcaster Platoon

The Rockcaster Platoon strides into the battlefield, joining the ranks of tough defensive units in MTG. Its key comparison might come to the vigilant Sentinels of the Multiverse card flashing with similar mana cost, yet standing out with its ability to untap every other turn, providing steady defense. The Platoon, instead, is backed by its solid frame and reach, protecting the skies from flying creatures while remaining an earthbound force to be reckoned with.

Then, we shift our gaze to the Tireless Tribe, a group with a lower casting cost and an entirely different approach to defense. The Tribe is capable of boosting its toughness in a blink, turning it into a formidable blocker when necessary. But where the Rockcaster Platoon excels is in its static power and reach, ready to battle fliers without the need for additional cards or mana to increase its stature.

When evaluating the Platoon alongside its counterparts, one can see its advantage in certain deck types, especially those seeking a reliable guardian against airborne threats. It may not have the flexibility of others, but it stands tall where it counts, making it a valuable addition to MTG’s array of defensive creatures.

Cards similar to Rockcaster Platoon by color, type and mana cost

Belligerent Brontodon - MTG Card versions

Torsten, Founder of Benalia - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Rockcaster Platoon MTG card by a specific set like Shards of Alara, 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 Rockcaster Platoon and other MTG cards: