Catapult Master MTG Card


Catapult Master - Onslaught
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Human Soldier
Released2002-10-07
Set symbol
Set nameOnslaught
Set codeONS
Power 3
Toughness 3
Number10
Frame1997
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byTerese Nielsen

Key Takeaways

  1. Card advantage through exiling creatures without spending extra cards is a potent strategic plus.
  2. Instant speed ability disrupts opponent’s play, enhancing Catapult Master’s tactical value.
  3. Demands a focused strategy with soldier synergy for the maximum utility of its abilities.

Text of card

Tap five untapped Soldiers you control: Remove target creature from the game.

"There's no 'I' in 'team,' but there's a 'we' in 'weapon.'"


Card Pros

Card Advantage: One of the notable strengths of Catapult Master is its potential to create card advantage by removing opposing creatures from the game without expending additional cards. This ability gets more valuable as you amass more Soldiers to activate the ability multiple times.

Resource Acceleration: While Catapult Master itself doesn’t directly accelerate resources, it can be a key piece in a deck built around Soldiers. Such decks usually have ways to quickly deploy numerous creatures, effectively accelerating your board presence and enabling Catapult Master’s ability sooner.

Instant Speed: The ability to exile target creature at instant speed gives you significant flexibility in gameplay. You can disrupt your opponent’s strategy during their turn or avoid unfavorable combat situations, making Catapult Master a tactical asset in various situations.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Catapult Master’s ability necessitates a steep cost, requiring you to exile five soldiers in play, a demand that might leave you with depleted forces especially during critical turns when board presence is paramount.

Specific Mana Cost: With a casting requirement that includes two white mana sources, Catapult Master can be restrictive for multicolored or splash-heavy decks, potentially affecting the consistency of plays.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For a creature that offers a control ability, the five-mana total to deploy Catapult Master is significant, especially when you take into account the additional investment needed to maintain a battalion of soldiers, all of which could be directed towards more versatile or immediate-impact plays.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Catapult Master, with its ability to tap and exile creatures effortlessly, can be a strategic addition to white-based control decks. Its presence enhances deck flexibility, offering an alternative removal strategy beyond traditional spells.

Combo Potential: The card pairs well with soldier token generators, creating synergies that allow you to exile opponents’ creatures repeatedly. Such combinations can dismantle your opponent’s board, giving you a serious edge in the game.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta dominated by creature-heavy strategies, Catapult Master stands out as a formidable threat. Its ability to exile creatures bypasses death triggers and graveyard strategies, making it particularly effective and relevant in many play environments.


How to Beat

Confronting Catapult Master on the battlefield in MTG can be quite the ordeal, especially when facing a deck that leverages a strong soldier synergy. The key to dismantling your opponent’s strategy lies in disrupting the creature base required for Catapult Master’s ability to function. As the card requires tapping five untapped Soldiers to exile a target creature, keeping the count of Soldiers in their battlefield low hampers their game plan greatly.

Spot removal, board wipes, and counter spells are effective tools against Catapult Master. By implementing board control spells such as Wrath of God or Doom Blade, players can directly remove Soldiers from the field or counter the Master himself upon casting. Furthermore, enhancing your deck with creature stealing or redirection effects will not only throw your opponent off balance but could also utilize their own soldiers against them.

Remember, while the Catapult Master can seem daunting with a full regiment at its command, strategic removal and a focus on maintaining control of the board can lead you to victory. By systematically weakening their forces, you ensure the Catapult Master’s siege engine never gets a chance to launch.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering Catapult Master requires a delicate balance of tactical prowess and the ability to predict the battlefield. If you’re intrigued by the intricate dance of control and power it offers, deepen your strategy with decks that complement its strengths. Soldier tribal synergies and clever board management are your keys to unlocking the full potential of this unique card. Within our extensive resources, you’ll find strategies and deck builds tailored to harnessing Catapult Master’s capabilities to their fullest. Dive into our insights, sharpen your skills, and transform your gameplay into a formidable force across the planes of MTG.


Cards like Catapult Master

Catapult Master is a unique figure among creatures in Magic: The Gathering, offering a combination of control and tribal synergy. Similar to Executioner’s Capsule, it enables players to exile target creatures, posing a serious threat to opponents’ strategies. Yet, unlike the Capsule, Catapult Master requires a setup of multiple creatures, specifically Soldiers, to activate its ability. This demands a more strategy-focused deck to realize its full potential.

Another card with creature removal capabilities is the renowned Oblivion Ring. Although both serve to eliminate threats, the Ring acts as a non-creature permanent and can address any non-land permanent, giving it broader utility. Catapult Master boasts the additional benefit of fitting into Soldier tribal decks, thus reinforcing its own archetype. Lastly, comparing it to Fiend Hunter, Catapult Master stands out as it offers a repeatable exile mechanic, albeit with a higher soldier threshold, enhancing long-term board control for players committed to the Soldier tribe.

The tactical advantage gained from Catapult Master in creature-based strategies highlights its special role among removal options, making it a distinctive asset in MTG for those wielding Soldier-themed decks.

Executioner's Capsule - MTG Card versions
Oblivion Ring - MTG Card versions
Fiend Hunter - MTG Card versions
Executioner's Capsule - Shards of Alara (ALA)
Oblivion Ring - Lorwyn (LRW)
Fiend Hunter - Innistrad (ISD)

Cards similar to Catapult Master by color, type and mana cost

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Veteran Bodyguard - Limited Edition Beta (LEB)
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Radiant, Archangel - Urza's Legacy (ULG)
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Master Healer - Urza's Destiny (UDS)
Angel of Mercy - The List (PLST)
Serra Angel - Commander Anthology (CMA)
Border Patrol - Judgment (JUD)
Enduring Angel // Angelic Enforcer - Innistrad: Midnight Hunt (MID)
Sigardian Savior - Innistrad: Midnight Hunt (MID)
Glory - World Championship Decks 2002 (WC02)
Celestial Gatekeeper - Legions (LGN)
Collector Protector - Unhinged (UNH)
Kiyomaro, First to Stand - Saviors of Kamigawa Promos (PSOK)
Belfry Spirit - Guildpact (GPT)
Petra Sphinx - Masters Edition (ME1)
Barrenton Medic - Shadowmoor (SHM)
Ivory Gargoyle - Masters Edition II (ME2)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Catapult Master MTG card by a specific set like Onslaught, 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 Catapult Master and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Catapult Master has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2004-10-04 It can tap itself but is not required to do so.
2004-10-04 Since the ability does not have the symbol, you can use the ability before this creature begins a turn under your control.

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