Captain of the Watch MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 8 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost6
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Human Soldier
Abilities Vigilance
Power 3
Toughness 3

Key Takeaways

  1. Generates immediate card advantage with tokens, bolstering battlefield presence and army strength significantly.
  2. Enhances resource acceleration through +1/+1 buffs to soldiers, amplifying combat capabilities without extra mana costs.
  3. Provides vigilant soldiers, allowing for defensive and offensive flexibility, pivotal in MTG’s dynamic battles.
Vigilance card art

Guide to Vigilance card ability

In the strategic universe of Magic: The Gathering (MTG), the vigilance ability stands out as a powerful tool for players. This potent keyword allows creatures to attack without tapping, keeping them ready and alert to defend against incoming threats. It represents a perfect balance between aggression and defense, offering a dynamic approach to gameplay. Lets dive deeper into how vigilance shapes the battlefield.

Text of card

Vigilance (Attacking doesn't cause this creature to tap.) Other Soldier creatures you control get +1/+1 and have vigilance. When Captain of the Watch enters the battlefield, put three 1/1 white Soldier creature tokens onto the battlefield.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Captain of the Watch is a powerhouse when it comes to providing card advantage on the battlefield. On entering the battlefield, this vigilant leader brings along three 1/1 white Soldier creature tokens, instantly bolstering your army and providing a more substantial board presence.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly impacting your mana pool, Captain of the Watch significantly accelerates your resource potential by increasing the productivity of your existing soldiers. Each of those tokens—and other Soldier creatures you control—gets a +1/+1 boost, rapidly amplifying your offensive and defensive capabilities without spending additional mana.

Instant Speed: Although Captain of the Watch doesn’t have an instant speed itself, its presence transforms your army into a potent force that can operate as though at instant speed. With vigilance, all your Soldiers can attack without tapping, meaning they remain ready to spring into action on your opponent’s turn, either as unexpected blockers or through effects that might be triggered during their phase.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Captain of the Watch does not require you to discard a card outright, its inclusion in a deck might force discards from a full hand, especially since white decks often lack card draw.

Specific Mana Cost: This card has an intense commitment to white mana, demanding three white symbols. This can strain mana bases not heavily focused on white.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Costing six mana, Captain of the Watch is on the expensive side which can be prohibitive in faster-paced games where lower-cost creatures can dominate the battlefield early on.


Reasons to Include Captain of the Watch in Your Collection

Versatility: Captain of the Watch is a solid addition to decks focused on soldier tribal themes or looking to boost defense. Her ability to generate tokens complements a wide array of strategies and provides significant board presence.

Combo Potential: This card’s synergy with other soldier-centric mechanics can amplify your combat capabilities. Pairing her with cards that leverage the presence of multiple creatures can lead to powerful interactions and a fortified battlefield.

Meta-Relevance: With an ever-evolving competitive scene, Captain of the Watch can be a valuable tool against certain decks. The vigilance provided to your soldiers ensures readiness at all times, allowing you to maintain strong defenses while being aggressive on your turns.


How to beat

Confronting the Captain of the Watch in a game of MTG presents a distinct challenge due to the card’s ability to strengthen your opponent’s army with its vigilant soldier tokens. Tackling this substantial threat requires a strategic approach. Removal spells targeting multiple creatures, such as Supreme Verdict or Wrath of God, can effectively clear the tokens and even the Captain itself from the battlefield. Control decks may rely on counter spells to prevent the Captain of the Watch from entering play at all.

Another angle is utilizing cards that disable tapped creatures; despite the fact that the Captain’s tokens are vigilant, they can still be subdued by spells like Meekstone after they engage in combat. Additionally, one could opt for creature-based strategies, employing creatures like Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite to weaken the tokens and gain board dominance.

Ultimately, solving the puzzle of the Captain of the Watch comes down to timing and resource management. A prompt and calculated response can swing the battlefield in your favor, negating the advantage that the Captain of the Watch usually provides.


BurnMana Recommendations

Delving into the strategic depths of MTG brings forth the challenge and thrill of optimizing your deck to outmaneuver the competition. With the Captain of the Watch, you add a remarkable engine of token generation and a significant boost to soldier army might. Its synergy with soldier-centric cards bolsters combat capabilities and fortifies your battlefield stance. If your deck thrives on white mana and values a strong, consistent board presence, this card is tailored for your arsenal. Unlock the full potential of your game by exploring more insights and strategies to harness the power of Captain of the Watch. Dive in with us and usher your gameplay into a new era of domination.


Cards like Captain of the Watch

In the realm of Magic: The Gathering, Captain of the Watch stands out as a powerful tool for players who favor creature-based strategies. Its ability to bolster your forces with other Soldiers parallells the impact of cards like Precinct Captain. While the Captain is adept at creating token creatures each time it attacks, Captain of the Watch presents an immediate army and a lasting boost to your troops with its static buff to Soldier creatures.

Another card worth mentioning is Cloudgoat Ranger. Although Cloudgoat Ranger produces fewer Kithkin Soldier creatures when it enters the battlefield, it holds the advantage of being able to temporarily elevate its power by tapping those creatures, potentially leading to decisive plays. Conversely, Captain of the Watch’s ongoing vigilance-granting effect gives your army a defensive edge without sacrificing offensive momentum.

Assessing their utility in the scope of Magic: The Gathering, Captain of the Watch provides robust value by enhancing your battlefield presence with quantity and quality, making it a formidable presence in any deck centered around Soldier synergy.

Precinct Captain - MTG Card versions
Cloudgoat Ranger - MTG Card versions
Precinct Captain - Return to Ravnica (RTR)
Cloudgoat Ranger - Lorwyn (LRW)

Cards similar to Captain of the Watch by color, type and mana cost

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Gempalm Avenger - Legions (LGN)
Noble Templar - Duel Decks: Elspeth vs. Kiora (DDO)
Silverstorm Samurai - Betrayers of Kamigawa (BOK)
Oathsworn Giant - Ravnica: City of Guilds (RAV)
Kjeldoran Gargoyle - Dominaria Remastered (DMR)
Duskrider Peregrine - Time Spiral Remastered (TSR)
Crovax, Ascendant Hero - Planar Chaos (PLC)
Lairwatch Giant - Lorwyn (LRW)
Spirit of the Hearth - Salvat 2011 (PS11)
Sun Titan - Kaldheim Commander (KHC)
Auriok Survivors - New Phyrexia (NPH)
Aegis Angel - Magic Origins (ORI)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Captain of the Watch MTG card by a specific set like Magic 2010 and Magic 2013, 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 Captain of the Watch and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Captain of the Watch Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2009-07-17 and 2024-03-08. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12009-07-17Magic 2010M10 62003normalblackGreg Staples
22012-07-13Magic 2013M13 82003normalblackGreg Staples
32015-02-27Duel Decks: Elspeth vs. KioraDDO 32015normalblackGreg Staples
42022-10-14Game Night: Free-for-AllGN3 82015normalblackGreg Staples
52024-03-08FalloutPIP 1572015normalblackJonas De Ro
62024-03-08FalloutPIP 6852015normalblackJonas De Ro
72024-03-08FalloutPIP 9762015normalblackJonas De Ro
82024-03-08FalloutPIP 4482015normalblackJonas De Ro

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Captain of the Watch has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2009-10-01 Captain of the Watch grants +1/+1 and vigilance to all other Soldier creatures you control, not just the ones its ability puts onto the battlefield.

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