Iron League Steed MTG Card


Fabricate 1 allows for flexible choices between a token or a +1/+1 counter, boosting board presence. Enhances artifact decks with potential for resource acceleration and combo synergies. Its modular ability adapts to game dynamics, making it a meta-relevant card for certain decks.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityUncommon
TypeArtifact Creature — Construct
Abilities Fabricate,Haste
Power 2
Toughness 2

Text of card

Haste Fabricate 1 (When this creature enters the battlefield, put a +1/+1 counter on it or create a 1/1 colorless Servo artifact creature token.)

The Iron League prides itself on its metal-shaping techniques.


Cards like Iron League Steed

Iron League Steed holds a unique position in the artifact creature landscape of Magic: The Gathering. It is reminiscent of other modular creatures, such as Arcbound Bruiser, which similarly enters the battlefield with a +1/+1 counter. However, Iron League Steed offers flexibility with its haste option, giving it a potential immediate impact that Arcbound Bruiser lacks.

Another relative in this category is Myr Enforcer, a popular artifact creature that can potentially be cast for a much lower cost due to its affinity for artifacts. While Myr Enforcer doesn’t have the modular ability or haste, its larger size makes it a formidable presence on the battlefield. Iron League Steed’s modularity, on the other hand, allows for strategic counter distribution when it dies, something Myr Enforcer is unable to partake in.

Lastly, we have Frogmite, a simple yet effective player in artifact-focused decks due to its affinity. Frogmite can often be cast for free, a major upside, but without the additional features of the Iron League Steed, such as modular or haste. Evaluating these differences is essential when determining which artifact creature best fits your deck’s strategy.

Arcbound Bruiser - MTG Card versions
Myr Enforcer - MTG Card versions
Frogmite - MTG Card versions
Arcbound Bruiser - MTG Card versions
Myr Enforcer - MTG Card versions
Frogmite - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Iron League Steed by color, type and mana cost

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Jayemdae Tome - MTG Card versions
Juggernaut - MTG Card versions
Jade Monolith - MTG Card versions
Jade Statue - MTG Card versions
Dancing Scimitar - MTG Card versions
Grinning Totem - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Processor - MTG Card versions
Patagia Golem - MTG Card versions
Lodestone Myr - MTG Card versions
Lich's Tomb - MTG Card versions
Krark-Clan Ironworks - MTG Card versions
Jade Idol - MTG Card versions
Ur-Golem's Eye - MTG Card versions
Jester's Cap - MTG Card versions
Bottled Cloister - MTG Card versions
Rod of Ruin - MTG Card versions
Gnarled Effigy - MTG Card versions
Scrapbasket - MTG Card versions
Clockwork Condor - MTG Card versions
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Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Iron League Steed itself may not directly allow you to draw cards, its Fabricate 1 ability offers the choice between creating a token or putting a +1/+1 counter on it. Opting for the token can be advantageous, leaving you with an additional artifact creature on the field. This can lead to synergies with other cards that reward you for having multiple creatures or artifacts.

Resource Acceleration: Iron League Steed fits well into artifact-centric decks that benefit from having a high artifact count. Deploying this card can potentially accelerate your game plan by enhancing metalcraft or improvise abilities on other cards, which allows you to tap artifacts rather than pay certain mana costs, effectively saving resources for more strategic plays or for casting multiple spells in a single turn.

Instant Speed: Although Iron League Steed doesn’t have flash and can’t be cast at instant speed, its relevance lies in its ability to reactively adapt to the board state. When you cast it during your main phase, you can evaluate whether you need an additional creature to defend against oncoming attacks or if a +1/+1 counter will make it a more formidable threat, thus playing into a more instant-speed mindset by making on-the-spot decisions.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Iron League Steed necessitates the discarding of another artifact card to take full advantage of its Modular ability. This can potentially deplete your hand, putting you at a disadvantage if you need to keep your artifact count high for synergies or if you’re running low on cards.

Specific Mana Cost: The casting cost of Iron League Steed requires colorless mana, which can be restrictive in decks not optimized for artifact play. This mana requirement can sometimes lead to the card being stuck in your hand if you’re unable to produce the right type of mana in the early game.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of four mana for a creature with only base stats of 2/2, Iron League Steed’s mana efficiency can be questioned, especially when compared to other creatures in the same mana range. This makes it less appealing to include in competitive decks looking for immediate board impact or cost-effective creatures.


Reasons to Include Iron League Steed in Your Collection

Versatility: Iron League Steed serves as an adaptable inclusion in artifact-centric decks or those seeking a resilient creature presence. Its modular ability allows it to adjust to the current board state, whether you need another creature or a stronger one.

Combo Potential: As an artifact creature, Iron League Steed synergizes well with decks that exploit such synergies, like those that trigger effects upon casting artifacts or when artifacts enter the battlefield. Its modular capability can be particularly potent in tandem with sacrifice and recursion strategies.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where artifacts are prevalent or games tend to evolve around board development, Iron League Steed holds relevance. Its synergy with proliferate mechanics or any strategy that benefits from having multiple creatures or artifacts makes it a viable choice for competitive play.


How to Beat Iron League Steed

Iron League Steed is a versatile artifact creature card that can be a worthy addition in decks that benefit from modular or artifact synergies. Understanding its strengths is key in devising effective counter strategies. One asset of this creature is its Haste ability, which allows it to impact the board immediately. However, without inherent protection, it’s vulnerable to common removal spells. So, a simple yet effective way to counter it is by keeping removal spells in your hand for creatures without hexproof or indestructibility.

Moreover, Iron League Steed comes with modular 1, meaning when it dies, it can bolster another artifact creature’s power. To mitigate this, strategies that force opponent sacrifices or use exile effects can ensure that its modular ability doesn’t provide a lasting advantage. Finally, artifact disruption spells or abilities, which are crucial in formats where artifact decks are prevalent, can easily neutralize Iron League Steed and similar threats. By anticipating its quick entry and using targeted removal or board-wide artifact disruption, you can negate the advantages Iron League Steed might bring to your opponent’s game.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Iron League Steed MTG card by a specific set like Kaladesh and Double Masters, 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 Iron League Steed and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Iron League Steed Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2016-09-30 and 2020-08-07. Illustrated by Darek Zabrocki.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12016-09-30KaladeshKLD 2192015NormalBlackDarek Zabrocki
22020-08-07Double Masters2XM 2632015NormalBlackDarek Zabrocki

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Iron League Steed has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2016-09-20 Fabricate doesn't cause the creature with the ability to enter the battlefield with +1/+1 counters already on it. For example, Weaponcraft Enthusiast will enter the battlefield as a 0/1 creature, then its fabricate ability goes on the stack. Players may take actions (such as casting instants) while the ability is waiting to resolve.
2016-09-20 If you can't put +1/+1 counters on the creature for any reason as fabricate resolves (for instance, if it's no longer on the battlefield), you just create Servo tokens.
2016-09-20 You choose whether to put +1/+1 counters on the creature or create Servo tokens as the fabricate ability is resolving. No player may take actions between the time you choose and the time that counters are added or tokens are created.