Clockwork Steed MTG Card
1995-10-01 - Number 103
1997-03-24 - Number 357
2008-09-22 - Number 205
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Artifact Creature — Horse |
| Power | 0 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Key Takeaways
- Offers indirect card advantage and board presence through recurring blocking and attacking abilities.
- Modular death mechanic lets you empower other creatures, potentially accelerating board development.
- Synergizes with instant-speed spells, enabling on-the-fly combat adaptations and protection.
Text of card
Cannot be blocked by artifact creatures. When Clockwork Steed comes into play, put four +1/+0 counters on it. At the end of any combat in which Clockwork Steed attacked or blocked, remove one of these counters. o X, oc T: Put X +1/+0 counters on Clockwork Steed. You may have no more than four of these counters on Clockwork Steed. Use this ability only during your upkeep.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Clockwork Steed may not directly draw you more cards, but its persistence on the battlefield and ability to be a recurring blocker or attacker can indirectly lead to card advantage by outlasting individual removal spells.
Resource Acceleration: While Clockwork Steed doesn’t directly accelerate your mana resources, its four-time modular usage lets you distribute +1/+0 counters when it dies, potentially speeding up your board presence and making your other creatures bigger threats faster.
Instant Speed: Although the Steed itself doesn’t operate at instant speed, it synergizes well with decks that have instant-speed spells to modify or protect it on the fly. This could include anything from combat tricks to counter spells that ensure your Steed sticks around and continuously impacts the board.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Clockwork Steed’s viability is hampered as it enters play with four +1/+0 counters and does not untap as normal; to get it untapped, you must remove a +1/+0 counter from it. This mechanic essentially acts as a discard requirement, reducing the card’s efficiency.
Specific Mana Cost: This artifact creature requires a very specific mana cost of four generic mana to cast. Its particular mana requirement can be restrictive for decks that would prefer to spend mana on more flexible or impactful plays throughout the game.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Clockwork Steed may appear cost-effective for a 0/3 creature but considering its cumulative upkeep in counters, the mana investment over time doesn’t match up with the payoff. This can make it less attractive compared to other creatures or artifacts that could be included in a deck with a similar mana cost.
Reasons to Include Clockwork Steed in Your Collection
Versatility: Clockwork Steed can be an asset in decks that need a reliable blocker or a resilient threat. Its ability to come back with +1/+0 counters after being put into the graveyard offers repeated value throughout the game.
Combo Potential: This artifact creature synergizes with mechanics that manipulate or benefit from +1/+0 counters. Pair it with cards that allow for counter distribution or doubling to maximize its potential on the battlefield.
Meta-Relevance: In an environment where artifact-centric decks shine, Clockwork Steed’s ability to persist on the board makes it a fitting choice against control tactics, providing sustained presence in longer matches.
How to beat
Clockwork Steed is a unique artifact creature in the world of Magic the Gathering. This mechanical horse presents an interesting challenge with its variable power and toughness determined by the number of +1/+1 counters on it. When facing off against Clockwork Steed, the key to victory lies in disrupting those counters. Artifact removal spells, like Abrade or Disenchant, can make short work of the mechanical menace before its counters grow too numerous.
Playing around the Steed’s abilities requires strategic planning. For example, timing is essential; removing it before the upkeep of its owner’s turn can minimize the chances of counters being placed on it. Cards that limit counters like Solemnity can neutralize the threat completely, as can a creature with deathtouch, which offers a swift end for the Steed regardless of its power. Moreover, since Clockwork Steed doesn’t have hexproof or shroud, targeted removal spells remain a surefire route to clearing the path to victory.
Understanding and leveraging these counteract strategies against Clockwork Steed can ensure that this artifact creature doesn’t trample over your chances of triumphing in the game. Always remember, consistent control over the battlefield and its artifacts is critical in maintaining an advantage.
Cards like Clockwork Steed
Clockwork Steed, a unique artifact creature in Magic: The Gathering, invites comparisons with other cards designed to persevere on the battlefield. Constructed from durable metal, Clockwork Steed is reminiscent of the well-known Peace Strider, both offering a resolute presence. However, where Peace Strider heals with its enter-the-battlefield effect, Clockwork Steed requires a different strategy with its cumulative upkeep to maintain its effectiveness.
Similarly intriguing is the classic card Ornithopter, which shares the artifact creature theme but soars as a flying unit with no casting cost. While not as robust in combat as Clockwork Steed, it has the advantage of early board presence. Also worth mentioning is the Battered Golem, which, like Clockwork Steed, has a conditional untapping mechanism. Though the Golem doesn’t share the Steed’s direct upkeep cost, it does not offer the same potential for power increase.
In sum, while there are numerous artifact creatures in the realm, Clockwork Steed stands out with its unique maintenance dynamic. It demands specific considerations for players looking to maximize its presence in the fray, giving it a distinctive niche among its mechanized peers.
Cards similar to Clockwork Steed by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Clockwork Steed MTG card by a specific set like Homelands and Fifth Edition, 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 Clockwork Steed 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 Clockwork Steed Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 1995-10-01 and 2008-09-22. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1995-10-01 | Homelands | HML | 103 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Amy Weber | |
| 2 | 1997-03-24 | Fifth Edition | 5ED | 357 | 1997 | Normal | White | Terese Nielsen | |
| 3 | 2008-09-22 | Masters Edition II | ME2 | 205 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Terese Nielsen |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Clockwork Steed has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Clockwork Steed card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2004-10-04 | Can attack or block even if it has no counters. |
| 2004-10-04 | Loses a counter even if it is affected by a Fog-like effect which prevents it from dealing damage. |
| 2008-10-01 | If Clockwork Steed has four or fewer +1/+0 counters on it when its last ability resolves, it can wind up with a maximum of four such counters on it. If it has four or more +1/+0 counters on it, the ability will have no effect. |
| 2008-10-01 | When Clockwork Steed’s last ability resolves, you can choose to put fewer than X +1/+0 counters on it. |
