Chancellor of the Tangle MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 7 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Phyrexian Beast |
| Abilities | Reach, Vigilance |
| Released | 2011-05-13 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | New Phyrexia |
| Set code | NPH |
| Power | 6 |
| Toughness | 7 |
| Number | 106 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Steve Prescott |
Text of card
You may reveal this card from your opening hand. If you do, at the beginning of your first main phase, add to your mana pool. Vigilance, reach
Cards like Chancellor of the Tangle
Chancellor of the Tangle adds a unique twist to the green creature lineup in Magic the Gathering. With its ability to provide a burst of green mana at the very start of the game, it has a distinct advantage paralleled by few. Elvish Spirit Guide offers a somewhat analogous function, allowing you to exile it from your hand for a quick green mana boost. However, unlike the Chancellor, it doesn’t offer a substantial creature presence later in the game.
Gemstone Caverns is another card that accelerates your mana development by potentially coming into play on your opponent’s first turn. But it requires you to sacrifice a card from your hand, a trade-off that Chancellor of the Tangle sidesteps with its early mana ability without costing you card advantage. Finally, Birds of Paradise is a card often used for Early game ramp. While it can provide any color of mana, it doesn’t have the substantial 6/7 body that the Chancellor boasts, nor does it give you mana before your first turn.
Considering these aspects, Chancellor of the Tangle stands out among early-game accelerators with its combination of early mana provision and being a formidable creature in the later stages, a mix that is less common in MTG.
Cards similar to Chancellor of the Tangle by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Chancellor of the Tangle. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Neobrand | Modern | Neobrand | Modern Challenge 64 2024-01-21 |
 | Mono-Green Tron | Modern | Mono-Green Tron | Modern Challenge 64 2024-03-04 |
 | WR | Modern | Modern Preliminary 2024-02-21 (1) | |
| Gruul Tron | Modern | Mono-Green Tron | Modern Challenge 64 2024-02-17 |
 | Selesnya Initiative | Legacy | Selesnya Initiative | Legacy Preliminary 2024-01-01 (1) |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Chancellor of the Tangle can be a valuable asset in hand, especially in the initial draw as it sets the tempo for resource allocation. It gives players an early game edge by potentially starting with an additional green mana.
Resource Acceleration: One of its notable abilities is providing an extra green mana at the beginning of the game if it’s in your opening hand. This acceleration can be pivotal for deploying key spells sooner than usual, paving the way for dynamic gameplay and swift board state establishment.
Instant Speed: While Chancellor of the Tangle doesn’t operate at instant speed, its capability to give you that extra mana at the very start can allow for instant-speed interactions earlier in the game. This head start can make all the difference in casting those crucial spells that can sway the tide of the match in your favor.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Chancellor of the Tangle can give you an early advantage by generating green mana, it requires you to reveal it from your opening hand. This forces you to potentially telegraph your strategy to your opponent and diminishes the element of surprise which can be crucial in the early game.
Specific Mana Cost: Boasting a mana cost that requires seven resources, including four green mana, Chancellor of the Tangle is very specific in its demands. This can pigeonhole the card into mono-green or green-heavy decks, limiting its versatility across the diverse spectrum of MTG deck archetypes.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Despite its ability to accelerate your mana pool, Chancellor of the Tangle’s own mana cost is quite steep at seven. In a game where efficiency is king, many players may find that the card enters the battlefield too late or competes with other high-impact plays that may better suit the game’s progression.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Chancellor of the Tangle offers the unique ability to provide a green mana boost in your opening hand. This can accelerate your plays and can be flexibly included in various green-centric or multi-colored decks.
Combo Potential: The card’s early mana gain can be the cornerstone for numerous combos, setting up plays that normally wouldn’t be possible until later turns. It works well with cards that capitalize on creature casting or mana ramping strategies.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta that favors quick establishment of board presence or races to deploy game-winning threats, Chancellor of the Tangle can give you a significant early advantage. Its relevance will be apparent in environments where speed is key to victory.
How to beat
Chancellor of the Tangle presents a unique challenge in Magic: The Gathering due to its ability to give players a significant mana advantage right from the start of the game. If this card is in your opening hand, you may reveal it to allow for one green mana to be added to your mana pool at the beginning of the game. This early boost can lead to powerful plays on turn one that could significantly sway the game in favor of the Chancellor’s controller.
To counteract this advantage, it is essential to manage the early game carefully. Playing control elements such as removal spells or counterspells can help mitigate the effect of the Chancellor’s early game tempo. Efficient removal spells, like Fatal Push or Path to Exile, can swiftly deal with the Chancellor once it hits the board. Moreover, keeping a diverse hand with a balanced mix of lands and spells ensures that you’re prepared to answer threats and develop your board state despite the opponent’s head start.
Understanding the deck types that Chancellor of the Tangle is typically used in can also guide your strategy. In a format like Modern, decks that incorporate the Chancellor aim for explosive starts, so fine-tuning your deck to handle swift aggression is key to overcoming the early disadvantage and ultimately leading you to a triumph over the Chancellor’s surge.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Chancellor of the Tangle MTG card by a specific set like New Phyrexia, 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 Chancellor of the Tangle and other MTG cards:
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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Chancellor of the Tangle has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Chancellor of the Tangle card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2021-03-19 | A player’s “opening hand” is the hand of cards the player has after all players have taken mulligans. If players have any cards in hand that allow actions to be taken with them from a player’s opening hand, the starting player takes all such actions first in any order, followed by each other player in turn order. Then the first turn begins. |
Guide to Vigilance card ability
In the strategic universe of Magic: The Gathering (MTG), the vigilance ability stands out as a powerful tool for players. This potent keyword allows creatures to attack without tapping, keeping them ready and alert to defend against incoming threats. It represents a perfect balance between aggression and defense, offering a dynamic approach to gameplay. Lets dive deeper into how vigilance shapes the battlefield.