Steel Leaf Champion MTG Card


Steel Leaf Champion can swing games early with substantial power and evasion abilities. A green mana-intensive card limiting use to specific decks but with a high impact on the board. Evasion makes it a unique asset, bypassing common early game blockers effectively.
Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Elf Knight
Power 5
Toughness 4

Text of card

Steel Leaf Champion can't be blocked by creatures with power 2 or less.

One eye open to see the truth of the world. One eye covered to gaze at the goddess within.


Cards like Steel Leaf Champion

Steel Leaf Champion stands out as a powerhouse in the Magic: The Gathering creature card sphere. It shares the battlefield with other formidable green creatures like Leatherback Baloth, which also boasts impressive stats for its mana cost. However, Steel Leaf Champion eclipses Leatherback Baloth with its ability to not be blocked by creatures with power 2 or less, giving it a significant edge in combat situations.

Another card worth considering is the renowned Tarmogoyf, which varies in power and toughness depending on the types of cards in all graveyards. While Tarmogoyf can potentially grow larger than the Champion, it lacks the evasion that makes Steel Leaf Champion so difficult for opponents to handle effectively. Similarly, Ghalta, Primal Hunger emerges as a colossal creature with a potential for reduced casting cost, yet the Champion’s consistent and immediate board impact at only three mana brings a distinct advantage in tempo to the table.

Evaluating these options, Steel Leaf Champion emerges as a remarkably efficient creature in MTG, capable of swinging games in the early stages with its substantial presence and evasion abilities. This comparison elucidates why Steel Leaf Champion is often a preferred choice among green-heavy deck builders seeking an aggressive start.

Leatherback Baloth - MTG Card versions
Tarmogoyf - MTG Card versions
Ghalta, Primal Hunger - MTG Card versions
Leatherback Baloth - MTG Card versions
Tarmogoyf - MTG Card versions
Ghalta, Primal Hunger - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Steel Leaf Champion. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Mono-Green StompyMono-Green Stompy PioneerNykthos RampSat. 9:30 AM U.S. Regional Championship - Dreamhack Atlanta 2023
Mono-Green DevotionMono-Green Devotion ModernGreen DevotionModern League 2023-12-12
DecklistDecklist Free formSet Roulette Feburary 2024
AbzanAbzan Free formCanadian Highlander for Duals - Underground Sea Guaranteed - Proxies Allowed
Naya CompanyNaya Company PioneerReCQ - Pioneer - SCG CON Philadelphia - Friday - 1:30 pm (Bronze)
The RockmanThe Rockman Free formSet Roulette Feburary 2024
Mono-Green AggroMono-Green Aggro ModernGreen Devotion2 Torneio - 10 Liga Arena Guardians
Gruul AggroGruul Aggro PioneerGruul AggroPioneer League 2023-12-15

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Steel Leaf Champion presents indirect card advantage by necessitating multiple cards from opponents to handle it. Its size often requires at least two spells or blockers to deal with, granting you an edge in resources.

Resource Acceleration: This formidable creature contributes to resource acceleration by enabling aggressive strategies early in the game. Summoning a 5/4 body by turn three outpaces the standard creature curve, applying pressure and forcing opponents to react.

Instant Speed: While Steel Leaf Champion itself doesn’t have instant speed, its presence in a green deck synergizes with various instant-speed tricks and removals in the same deck, ensuring that the champion’s assault continues unabated and that you maintain tempo throughout the game.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Steel Leaf Champion does not have a discard requirement itself, fitting it into strategies often means prioritizing it over cards that provide immediate interaction or support, potentially leading to a necessary discard of other valuable cards in your hand to maintain board presence.

Specific Mana Cost: Steel Leaf Champion’s casting cost is demanding, with three green mana symbols. This restricts its playability almost exclusively to mono-green or heavily green-focused decks, limiting its versatility across diverse deck archetypes.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Costing three mana can be steep, especially when competing against other three-drop creatures in the green section of your deck that might offer additional benefits such as card draw or mana acceleration. Although Steel Leaf Champion’s stats are formidable, its impact may not always justify the intensive green mana investment.


Reasons to Include Steel Leaf Champion in Your Collection

Versatility: Steel Leaf Champion is known for its solid presence in any green-focused deck. Its substantial power and toughness for its mana cost make it a formidable play in various MTG formats, from casual kitchen table games to more competitive environments.

Combo Potential: This card synergizes well with strategies that capitalize on big creatures. The Champion can quickly swell in power through buffs or be used to fuel abilities that require hefty creatures on the battlefield.

Meta-Relevance: In a metagame where fast-paced aggro decks are prevalent, Steel Leaf Champion shines by offering an early game threat that often requires an immediate answer, making it a relevant choice for players looking to stay ahead of the curve.


How to beat

Steel Leaf Champion is a formidable presence on the battlefield. This powerful green creature card quickly applies pressure with its strong stats, making it a threat from the moment it touches the board. Being a 5/4 body that can’t be blocked by creatures with power 2 or less, it bypasses many early game defenders with ease, forcing opponents to rethink their defense strategies.

To effectively counter this verdant giant, players need to focus on removal spells that can target it despite its evasion ability. Spells such as Fatal Push or Path to Exile work well in removing Steel Leaf Champion without a chance for it to deal its heavy blows. Sweeper spells like Wrath of God or Damnation can clear the board, including this leafy foe, when the situation demands. On top of that, sacrificing effects are another route, compelling its controller to choose it as the sacrificial lamb—ideal to sidestep its considerable strength.

Ultimately, while Steel Leaf Champion can be a significant threat, it’s not insurmountable. With the right deck preparation and strategic play, its dominance on the board can be mitigated, maintaining a balanced game dynamic and keeping the challenge in check.


BurnMana Recommendations

Unlocking the full potential of Steel Leaf Champion in your MTG deck transcends simply playing a powerful creature; it requires a blend of strategy and foresight. If you are building a deck around or including this mighty green warrior, consider the broader architecture of your strategy. Balancing the card’s strengths with its mana demands is key. Reflecting on its synergies with other cards can carve a path for a win. Ready to harness the vigor of Steel Leaf Champion and craft a deck that opponents will fear? Dive deeper with us for insights and tactics that will elevate your deck-building game to legendary status.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Steel Leaf Champion MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Dominaria Promos, 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 Steel Leaf Champion and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Steel Leaf Champion Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2018-04-27 and 2018-04-27. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 680452003NormalBlackSimon Dominic
22018-04-27Dominaria PromosPDOM 182p2015NormalBlackChris Rahn
32018-04-27Dominaria PromosPDOM 1822015NormalBlackSimon Dominic
42018-04-27DominariaDOM 1822015NormalBlackChris Rahn
52018-04-27Dominaria PromosPDOM 182s2015NormalBlackChris Rahn

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Steel Leaf Champion has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2018-04-27 Once a creature with power 3 or greater has blocked this creature, changing the power of the blocking creature won’t cause this creature to become unblocked.