Steel Overseer MTG Card


It enhances artifact creatures’ power, turning one card into an advancing army through card advantage. Steel Overseer utilizes existing resources, avoiding extra mana costs while strengthening your creature line-up. Methodical its ability activation can surprise opponents, notably during their turn for maximum battlefield impact.
Card setsReleased in 10 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityRare
TypeArtifact Creature — Construct
Power 1
Toughness 1

Text of card

: Put a +1/+1 counter on each artifact creature you control.

"The world is already run by all manner of machines. One day, they'll remind us of that fact." —Sargis Haz, artificer


Cards like Steel Overseer

Steel Overseer has carved its niche into the fabric of artifact-focused decks in Magic the Gathering. Resembling the mechanics of other artifact-centric cards, the Overseer assumes a key role by empowering your artifact creatures incrementally. Comparing it to the likes of Arcbound Ravager, another artifact staple, we see a difference in resource management; the Ravager requires a sacrifice of an artifact to garner its benefits immediately, whereas the Overseer’s strength builds over time.

When we look at Hangarback Walker, it also interacts with +1/+1 counters, much like our Overseer. The Walker, though, can operate independently, producing Thopter tokens upon death, providing utility even after leaving the battlefield. Steel Overseer, in contrast, builds a formidable army while it’s in play but doesn’t offer an immediate board presence or an aftermath effect.

Overall, Steel Overseer remains a potent piece in decks that capitalize on synergies with +1/+1 counters and artifacts. Its ability to steadily increase the threat level of your artifact creatures gives it a unique spot among cards designed to enhance your board state. Its utility becomes evident as games progress, making it a formidable force for opponents to contend with.

Arcbound Ravager - MTG Card versions
Hangarback Walker - MTG Card versions
Arcbound Ravager - MTG Card versions
Hangarback Walker - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Steel Overseer by color, type and mana cost

Chaos Orb - MTG Card versions
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Ankh of Mishra - MTG Card versions
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Energy Chamber - MTG Card versions
Water Gun Balloon Game - MTG Card versions
Chaos Orb - MTG Card versions
Winter Orb - MTG Card versions
Ankh of Mishra - MTG Card versions
Jandor's Saddlebags - MTG Card versions
Amulet of Kroog - MTG Card versions
Nacre Talisman - MTG Card versions
Howling Mine - MTG Card versions
Essence Bottle - MTG Card versions
Emerald Medallion - MTG Card versions
Scrying Glass - MTG Card versions
Cursed Totem - MTG Card versions
Mask of Intolerance - MTG Card versions
Tsabo's Web - MTG Card versions
Millikin - MTG Card versions
Swiftfoot Boots - MTG Card versions
Ark of Blight - MTG Card versions
Surestrike Trident - MTG Card versions
Demon's Horn - MTG Card versions
Energy Chamber - MTG Card versions
Water Gun Balloon Game - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Jeskai MidrangeJeskai Midrange GladiatorSword and Sandals Showdown: AM Week 12 2024
DecklistDecklist Free formCanadian Highlander for Duals - Underground Sea Guaranteed - Proxies Allowed
Hardened ScalesHardened Scales ModernHardened ScalesCampeonato de Espaa de Modern 2023
Mono-Green Hardened ScalesMono-Green Hardened Scales ModernHardened ScalesModern Challenge 96 2023-12-02 (1)
ColorlessColorless VintageVintage League 2024-01-21
Gruul Hardened ScalesGruul Hardened Scales ModernHardened ScalesModern League 2023-12-25
Aggro ShopsAggro Shops VintageAggro ShopsVintage League 2023-12-09
Gruul ComboGruul Combo PioneerGruul Hardened ScalesDreamHack Atlanta 2023 - Sun. 11AM Pioneer 5k Open 8-Slot RCQ
Azorius PowerstonesAzorius Powerstones PioneerArtifact AggroPeasant Pioneer Showdown - A Josh and Pat's MTG Bazaar Sponsored Event
Azorius AggroAzorius Aggro GladiatorGladiator Team Unified League

Card Pros

Card Advantage: By augmenting the power of all artifact creatures you control, Steel Overseer enhances your board presence without expending additional cards from your hand. This can lead to overwhelming your opponent with a formidable artifact creature army, providing significant card advantage as you convert a single card into multiplied threats on the battlefield.

Resource Acceleration: Steel Overseer rapidly accelerates your artifact creatures’ capabilities, effectively adding more resources to your side. Instead of spending additional mana on casting more creatures, it lets you bolster your current lineup, maximizing the utility of your deployed resources.

Instant Speed: While Steel Overseer doesn’t operate at instant speed itself, its ability to increase the power and toughness of artifact creatures can be activated at the end of your opponent’s turn. This strategic timing can apply pressure during the opponent’s turn by boosting your artifacts when they least expect it, all set for an impactful attack on your turn.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Steel Overseer demands players to maintain a board presence, particularly with artifact creatures, to capitalize on its ability. Without such a setup, its potential plummets, making it less viable in decks that cannot consistently meet this requirement.

Specific Mana Cost: With a casting cost that requires colorless mana, this card may seem easy to play in any deck. However, it fits optimally in decks that support a heavy artifact theme, hence its playability is narrower than it appears.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The initial investment of two mana for a 1/1 creature can be steep, considering its impact is not immediate. Decks aiming for a faster pace might find Steel Overseer a bit sluggish, as it needs to survive a turn to start incrementing value.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Steel Overseer is a dynamic card that can slide into various artifact-centric decks. Whether you are bolstering a casual construct or refining a competitive brew, its ability to consistently amp up your artifact creatures’ power and toughness makes it a solid addition.

Combo Potential: The tweakable nature of Steel Overseer means it synergizes well with cards that multiply counters or take advantage of +1/+1 markers. Its inclusion can unlock powerful interactions and elevate your deck’s performance on the battlefield.

Meta-Relevance: With the perpetual evolution of the MTG metagame, maintaining a deck that holds its ground is paramount. Steel Overseer remains a relevant piece in setups that aim to build formidable board states quickly, giving artifact decks that needed edge over a diverse array of opponents.


How to beat

Steel Overseer is a potent artifact creature that can dominate the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering by consistently bolstering other artifacts’ power and toughness. To effectively counter this card, players need to adopt a strategy that disrupts the Steel Overseer’s ability to accumulate counters. Targeted removal spells such as Abrupt Decay and Fatal Push can swiftly eliminate the Overseer before it becomes too much of a threat. Artifact removal, like Shatter or Naturalize, is also highly effective against the Overseer, ensuring that it doesn’t have the chance to activate its ability even once.

Moreover, negating the Overseer’s activations through cards like Damping Matrix prevents it from generating additional value turn after turn. For a more proactive approach, using cards like Pithing Needle to specifically name Steel Overseer upon entering the battlefield renders the card inert, essentially transforming it into a vanilla creature with no abilities. Maintaining board control and keeping removal at hand for key threats like Steel Overseer is essential. Doing this denies your opponent the snowballing power that Steel Overseer can bring to artifact-centric decks.


BurnMana Recommendations

If the capabilities of Steel Overseer have sparked your interest, we’re here to guide you deeper into the world of MTG. Strengthening your deck with this pivotal artifact creature can tip the scales in your favor, fostering a board state that opponents will dread. Its synergy with artifact-centric strategies unveils opportunities for dominating matches. Whether you’re a seasoned player tweaking a fine-tuned machine or a newcomer building an arsenal, understanding the intricacies of such impactful cards is crucial. Elevate your gameplay and navigate the ever-shifting landscape of MTG with confidence. Dive into our detailed guides and take your collection to the next level.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Steel Overseer MTG card by a specific set like Magic 2011 and Kaladesh Inventions, 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 Overseer and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Steel Overseer Magic the Gathering card was released in 7 different sets between 2010-07-16 and 2024-03-08. Illustrated by 3 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12010-07-16Magic 2011M11 2142003NormalBlackChris Rahn
22016-09-30Kaladesh InventionsMPS 272015NormalBlackAdam Paquette
32019-07-12Core Set 2020M20 2392015NormalBlackChris Rahn
42021-04-23Commander 2021C21 2672015NormalBlackChris Rahn
52022-11-18The Brothers' War CommanderBRC 1641997NormalBlackChris Rahn
62022-12-02Jumpstart 2022J22 7982015NormalBlackChris Rahn
72024-03-08FalloutPIP 2412015NormalBlackDaarken
82024-03-08FalloutPIP 4872015NormalBlackDaarken
92024-03-08FalloutPIP 10152015NormalBlackDaarken
102024-03-08FalloutPIP 7692015NormalBlackDaarken

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Steel Overseer has restrictions

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

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2019-07-12 Steel Overseer's ability puts a +1/+1 counter on each artifact creature you control, including Steel Overseer.