Champion of Dusk MTG Card


Champion of Dusk augments hand size at the expense of life, crucial for vampire synergy decks. Playing it requires careful mana management due to its specific casting cost. Its inclusion offers a significant advantage in creature-heavy metagames.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Vampire Knight
Power 4
Toughness 4

Text of card

When Champion of Dusk enters the battlefield, you draw X cards and you lose X life, where X is the number of Vampires you control.

"Drench these golden streets in the blood of our enemies."


Cards like Champion of Dusk

Champion of Dusk holds a valued position in MTG for players seeking to capitalize on vampire synergies and card draw benefits. It bears resemblance to Bloodgift Demon in its ability to provide a consistent card advantage at the cost of life. However, Champion of Dusk offers a unique payoff for vampire presence, drawing you a card and losing 1 life for each vampire you control as it enters the battlefield.

Another noteworthy parallel is with Harvester of Souls, which also rewards card draw through the death of other creatures. While Harvester of Souls focuses on reaping cards from creature demise, Champion of Dusk provides an immediate boost upon its arrival, potentially shifting the game’s momentum in your favor. The one-time larger draw from Champion of Dusk contrasts with Harvester’s spread out accumulation.

Overall, Champion of Dusk stands out for its tribal-centric card draw, which can be exceptionally powerful in dedicated vampire decks. Ensuring a balance between life gain and impactful vampire plays remains key to unleashing its full potential within the vast arsenal of black card draw options in MTG.

Bloodgift Demon - MTG Card versions
Harvester of Souls - MTG Card versions
Bloodgift Demon - MTG Card versions
Harvester of Souls - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Mardu VampiresMardu Vampires PioneerMardu VampiresPioneer Challenge 64 2024-03-30
Rakdos VampiresRakdos Vampires PioneerRakdos VampiresPioneer Challenge 64 2024-02-24
Orzhov VampiresOrzhov Vampires PioneerOrzhov VampiresSouth America Magic Series - Regional Championship (Final Regional NOV 2023)

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Champion of Dusk presents an incredible opportunity to replenish your hand by drawing cards equal to the number of Vampires you control. This is a significant draw engine in vampire decks, potentially turning the tide of the game in your favor.

Resource Acceleration: While Champion of Dusk does not directly accelerate your resources in terms of mana, it does provide a valuable influx of card resources. By refilling your hand, you have more options and answers to interact with the board and further your game plan.

Instant Speed: Although Champion of Dusk is not an instant, it’s a high-impact creature that can be played at the end of your opponent’s turn if you have flash enablers on the field. This means you can deploy it strategically, maintaining the element of surprise and optimizing the timing of your card draw.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Champion of Dusk requires you to sacrifice card advantage for its potent effect. Each card drawn costs you one life, which could backfire if you’re already in a precarious life total situation or up against aggressive strategies that capitalize on lowering your life as quickly as possible.

Specific Mana Cost: This card necessitates an investment of both generic and black mana, specifically triple black. This can be restrictive, making it challenging to play in multicolored decks that may not have consistent access to enough sources of black mana early on to cast it without delay.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The five mana cost to summon Champion of Dusk, although reasonable for its effect, is still on the high side. In formats where the pace of play is incredibly quick, this can sometimes be too slow. Especially considering that there are other, more mana-efficient ways to draw cards that don’t have the same life loss risk attached.


Reasons to Include Champion of Dusk in Your Collection

Versatility: Champion of Dusk is a dynamic card that can provide an immediate impact in Vampire-themed decks or any black-centered deck emphasizing creatures and card advantage. Its ability to draw cards upon entering the battlefield makes it valuable in various situations, offering flexibility in gameplay.

Combo Potential: Given its card draw ability, Champion of Dusk works wonders in tandem with strategies that capitalize on large hand sizes or utilize sacrifice mechanics for an advantage. It’s also pivotal in combos that depend on life total manipulation, amplifying both risk and reward.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment where creature-based strategies are prevalent, Champion of Dusk’s card advantage can ensure you maintain pace with your opponents. Plus, with its substantial body, it can hold its own against other creatures on the battlefield, making it a solid pick in creature-heavy metagames.


How to beat

Champion of Dusk is a formidable card for any MTG player, known for its ability to potentially draw cards equal to the number of vampires you control at the cost of some life. To effectively counter this card, consider employing strategies that limit the number of vampires on the board. Board wipes or spot removal spells can be highly effective in reducing the impact of Champion of Dusk’s entrance to the battlefield.

Another tactic is to manipulate life totals. Since Champion of Dusk’s ability costs life, cards that prevent life gain or increase life loss can be particularly devastating against it. Direct damage spells or effects that punish players for drawing or having a large hand size can also turn the tide. Additionally, if you’re playing blue, you might opt for counterspells to prevent Champion of Dusk from ever touching the battlefield, effectively nullifying the threat beforehand.

Always have a plan for when this vampire hits the table. Keeping board presence to a minimum, disrupting life total strategies or simply being ready with a counterspell can ensure that Champion of Dusk does not dominate the game.


BurnMana Recommendations

Dive deeper into your MTG journey with Champion of Dusk, a charismatic vampire whose thirst for card advantage can revitalize your gameplay. Understanding the dual nature of its power and its potential risks is key to harnessing its full power in vampire-centric decks or any strategy that values a flush hand. Do you long to control the pace of the game with a strategic card draw while managing your life total? Then Champion of Dusk might be the ace up your sleeve you need to outmaneuver your opponents. Elevate your next clash on the battlefield—explore more strategies and refine your collection with our expert insights.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Champion of Dusk MTG card by a specific set like Rivals of Ixalan and Crimson Vow Commander, 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 Champion of Dusk and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Champion of Dusk Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2018-01-19 and 2023-11-17. Illustrated by Josh Hass.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12018-01-19Rivals of IxalanRIX 642015NormalBlackJosh Hass
22021-11-19Crimson Vow CommanderVOC 1242015NormalBlackJosh Hass
32023-11-17The Lost Caverns of Ixalan CommanderLCC 1882015NormalBlackJosh Hass

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Champion of Dusk 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 Champion of Dusk card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2018-01-19 The number of Vampires you control is counted only as Champion of Dusk's ability resolves. If Champion of Dusk is still on the battlefield, it'll count itself.