Inspiring Captain MTG Card
2016-04-08 - Number 25
2018-11-16 - Number 14
2019-07-12 - Number 25
2020-07-17 - Number 111
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Human Knight |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Key Takeaways
- Inspiring Captain offers virtual card advantage, multiplying each creature’s board value.
- It speeds up gameplay impact without traditional resource acceleration methods.
- Though mana-specific and one-time, Captain’s buff is immediate and tactical.
Text of card
When Inspiring Captain enters the battlefield, creatures you control get +1/+1 until end of turn.
"Our enemies will soon discover that we are not as meek as they had believed."
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Inspiring Captain does not directly allow you to draw cards, its ability to boost your entire board can effectively multiply the value of each creature you control, representing a type of card advantage known as “virtual card advantage.” Your creatures become more efficient, often transforming weaker cards into significant threats.
Resource Acceleration: Inspiring Captain does not provide traditional resource acceleration like additional mana or treasure tokens. However, by empowering your creatures, it accelerates your impact on the game, enabling you to apply pressure and potentially shorten the game’s duration.
Instant Speed: As a creature with a static ability, Inspiring Captain operates at sorcery speed. But the strategic advantage lies in crafting a well-timed board state where, when played pre-combat, it can immediately impact the game by bolstering your creatures, often catching an opponent off guard and setting the pace for the rest of the match.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Inspiring Captain itself does not have a discard requirement, integrating it into a deck often means you may have to compromise other cards that synergize with it. This can be a disadvantage when trying to maintain card advantage in a game.
Specific Mana Cost: Inspiring Captain requires a specific mana alignment—three generic and one white mana—which can be restrictive. This necessity could limit the card’s inclusion to decks heavily featuring white mana, potentially reducing its flexibility in multicolor decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of four mana for a single instance of buffing your creatures, Inspiring Captain’s effect might not compare favorably against other buffing options available. Some alternatives offer persistent or more significant bonuses at a similar or lower mana cost, making them potentially more appealing choices for deck building.
Reasons to Include Inspiring Captain in Your Collection
Versatility: Inspiring Captain shines in decks that focus on a wide range of creatures, providing an immediate boost in power and toughness which can be key in both offensive and defensive strategies.
Combo Potential: This card pairs well with strategies emphasizing creature tokens, where maximizing the number of minions can lead to a decisive power surge on the battlefield.
Meta-Relevance: In game environments where aggressive strategies are prevalent, Inspiring Captain can give you the edge by amplifying your board presence quickly, making it an essential addition for players aiming to stay competitive.
How to beat Inspiring Captain
Inspiring Captain is a pivotal card that can turn the tide of battle with its ability to bolster your creature’s power and toughness the turn it enters the battlefield. This white creature card shines in decks focused on overwhelming opponents with numerous creatures, boosting their potential for a critical turn.
To outmaneuver Inspiring Captain’s impact, it’s vital to control the battlefield before it’s cast. Removal spells like Fatal Push or board wipes such as Damnation can preemptively clear the field, diminishing the Captain’s effect. Counterspells, especially those with a low mana cost like Mana Leak, are also excellent for preventing Inspiring Captain from ever hitting the table. Efficient removal keeps the Captain’s influence in check, ensuring you maintain the upper hand.
Deck strategies that favor attrition or control elements typically fare well against Inspiring Captain. By managing threats individually or with sweeping effects, you can mitigate the tempo swing that Inspiring Captain aims to produce. In summary, staying one step ahead of the Captain’s buffing ability is key in securing your victory over decks that include this strategy-defining card.
Cards like Inspiring Captain
Inspiring Captain is an essential booster within creature decks in Magic: The Gathering. Its immediate impact on the board is akin to cards like Glorious Anthem, which also empowers creatures you control. However, Inspiring Captain has the distinct advantage of being a creature itself, providing not just an enchantment effect but also a physical presence on the battlefield. Unlike Glorious Anthem, the Captain’s buff is a one-time effect, which can be both a pinpoint tactical advantage or a disadvantage if looking for longevity in power augmentation.
Another card worth noting is the Veteran Warleader. While the Warleader’s power and toughness are variable and dependent on the number of allies under your command, the Captain offers a reliable boost regardless of the creature types you wield. Whereas the Warleader provides adaptability and potential for growth, Inspiring Captain ensures a predictable and immediate surge of strength, proving invaluable during critical battle phases.
Evaluating these cards, Inspiring Captain stands out as an ideal choice for players seeking a one-off significant impact in their combat strategy, especially in decks that swarm the battlefield with numerous creatures at once.
Cards similar to Inspiring Captain by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Inspiring Captain MTG card by a specific set like Shadows over Innistrad and Game Night, 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 Inspiring Captain and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Printings
The Inspiring Captain Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2016-04-08 and 2020-07-17. Illustrated by Ben Maier.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2016-04-08 | Shadows over Innistrad | SOI | 25 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Ben Maier | |
| 2 | 2018-11-16 | Game Night | GNT | 14 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Ben Maier | |
| 3 | 2019-07-12 | Core Set 2020 | M20 | 25 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Ben Maier | |
| 4 | 2020-07-17 | Jumpstart | JMP | 111 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Ben Maier |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Inspiring Captain has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Inspiring Captain card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2016-04-08 | The set of creatures affected by Inspiring Captain’s ability is determined as the ability resolves. Creatures you begin to control later in the turn won’t get +1/+1. |
| 2019-07-12 | Inspiring Captain’s triggered ability affects only creatures you control at the time it resolves. Creatures you begin to control later in the turn won’t get +1/+1. |
