Chaos Harlequin MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Rare
Type	Creature — Human
Released	1996-06-10
Set symbol
Set name	Alliances
Set code	ALL
Power	2
Toughness	4
Number	69
Frame	1993
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Alan Rabinowitz

Key Takeaways

Chaos Harlequin can create card advantage by disrupting opponent hands, benefiting from sudden shifts.
Its instant speed ability offers surprise plays, adding flexibility and control to your strategy.
Despite its strengths, its high mana cost and deck constraints may limit its practical use.

Text of card

o R: Remove the top card of your library from the game. If that card is a land, Chaos Harlequin gets -4/-0 until end of turn; otherwise, Chaos Harlequin gets +2/+0 until end of turn.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Chaos Harlequin shines by scrambling up the play with its ability to unpredictably swap cards among players. This can often lead to indirect card advantage, as opponents might be left with less cohesive hands or plans, while you take advantage of the new array of cards at your disposal.

Resource Acceleration: The Chaos Harlequin card doesn’t directly accelerate resources in the traditional sense of ramping up mana. However, the ability to interfere with opponent’s resources can put you ahead by disrupting their mana curve or planned plays, effectively giving you a relative upper hand in resource allocation.

Instant Speed: With its trickster-like abilities, Chaos Harlequin can be unleashed at instant speed, adding an element of surprise and flexibility to your game. This rapid deployment allows you to react in real-time to the battlefield’s evolving dynamics, making it a versatile tool in any strategy that values adaptability and control.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Chaos Harlequin requires you to discard a card for its effect to be triggered. This can pose a strategic problem when you are dealing with a limited hand, ultimately reducing your options and potentially leaving you at a disadvantage as the game progresses.

Specific Mana Cost: The casting cost for Chaos Harlequin incorporates a particular array of mana colors which could restrict the card’s integration into a diverse range of decks. Players might find themselves constricted and unable to play the card when needed if their mana base isn’t properly aligned with the Harlequin’s demands.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: When you weigh the mana investment against the potential benefits, the Chaos Harlequin stands on the pricier side. Given that the mana cost is quite substantial, players may opt for alternatives that provide similar effects or better versatility at a lower cost, making it a debatable choice in terms of deck efficiency.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Chaos Harlequin shines in multiple deck builds with its adaptive nature. Its role in aggro and midrange decks leverages its ability to disrupt opponent strategies while providing a solid body on the board.

Combo Potential: This card serves as a key piece in combos, manipulating both the stack and the battlefield. It can easily become the linchpin of intricate plays, working alongside spells and abilities that thrive on unpredictability and chance.

Meta-Relevance: Considering the current trend of diverse and adaptable decks, Chaos Harlequin holds its ground well. Its unique effect counters dominant strategies, and its unexpected play patterns can tip games in your favor.

How to beat

Navigating the unpredictable mayhem stirred up by Chaos Harlequin in an MTG game can be daunting but not impossible to overcome. This peculiar card throws a surprise element into matches, making strategic plays essential. Understanding the anatomy of Chaos Harlequin’s presence on the battlefield is key. For starters, pinpointing removal spells that can target it regardless of its ever-changing creature type is crucial. This could range from universal removals to those conditional ones dependent on power or toughness stats.

Stabilizing your board is another vital strategy. Ensuring that you have a robust lineup of creatures that can contest or exceed the Harlequin’s strength enables you to maintain control. Additionally, being prepared with countermeasures to its swapping ability ensures you’re not caught off guard. This means keeping spells handy that render creature abilities moot or ones that can change combat outcomes at instant speed, preserving your tactical advantage.

Ultimately, accepting the challenge posed by Chaos Harlequin necessitates adaptability and the strategic deployment of resources. By staying one step ahead with precise counterplays, the pandemonium induced by this card can be restrained, paving the way for your victory in the MTG realm.

Cards like Chaos Harlequin

In the realm of Magic: The Gathering, Chaos Harlequin presents a unique set of abilities that spark interest among players who enjoy flexible strategies. Its closest relatives in terms of mechanics are cards like Erratic Portal and Teferi’s Puzzle Box, which introduce unpredictability to the game. Like Chaos Harlequin, Erratic Portal allows players to return creatures to their owner’s hand, thus giving them a measure of control over the board state. However, Erratic Portal comes with a reusable feature unlike the single-use nature of Chaos Harlequin’s ability.

Teferi’s Puzzle Box, much like Chaos Harlequin, disrupts normal play patterns by forcing players to cycle through their hands, providing a chaotic element that can be both a hindrance and a boon depending on the situation. Nonetheless, the Puzzle Box does this every turn, while Chaos Harlequin can be a one-and-done or stick around, offering a repeatable effect if the right conditions are met.

In essence, what sets Chaos Harlequin apart in Magic: The Gathering is its capability to juggle inconsistency with control. Its operation brings a different layer to the game, injecting both surprise and strategy that can sway the course of a match significantly.

Cards similar to Chaos Harlequin by color, type and mana cost

Krark-Clan Engineers - MTG Card versions

Shimatsu the Bloodcloaked - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Chaos Harlequin MTG card by a specific set like Alliances, 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 Chaos Harlequin and other MTG cards: