Chandra, the Firebrand MTG Card

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Chandra, the Firebrand has an ability to copy spells, effectively doubling your potential to cast additional spells in a turn without sacrificing extra cards from your hand. This increases your ability to maintain card advantage, as you utilize a single card for double the impact.

Resource Acceleration: This planeswalker can also accelerate your resources through her first ability, adding mana to your pool by dealing damage. With the right setup, Chandra can open up your gameplay to more powerful spells earlier than expected, ramping up your strategy’s execution speed.

Instant Speed: Chandra’s abilities don’t directly interact with instant speed plays; however, her second ability allows you to copy an instant spell on your turn, thus getting more value out of instant speed interactions. This synergizes well with control-heavy decks that rely on playing at instant speed.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Chandra, the Firebrand does not have a direct discard requirement, any card that forces you to remove resources from your hand indirectly can impede your momentum, especially when you’re attempting to maintain card advantage over your opponent.

Specific Mana Cost: With a steep requirement of three generic and one red mana to cast, Chandra, the Firebrand demands a commitment to red mana sources, which can strain mana bases in multicolor decks or limit the card’s inclusion to primarily red-centric strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Costing four mana makes Chandra, the Firebrand a mid-game play. This stands in contrast to other planeswalkers or impactful spells at similar mana costs that might provide instant board presence or game-altering effects, potentially offering a stronger turn four impact in certain situations.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Chandra, the Firebrand excels at adapting to various gameplay styles. She can control the board with her direct damage ability, provide card advantage through her -2 ability, or even serve as a win condition with her ultimate.

Combo Potential: Known for her -2 ability to copy instant or sorcery spells, Chandra, the Firebrand can be the linchpin of explosive combos, amplifying the effects of your most powerful spells for game-changing plays.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta that’s heavy on creature-based strategies, Chandra’s ability to ping creatures or players each turn can keep opponents on their toes, making her a pertinent choice for decks looking to maintain pressure and tempo.

How to beat

Chandra, the Firebrand is a nuanced planeswalker card that demands strategic measures to counter effectively. One clear tactic is to prioritize creature removal spells or those that can specifically target planeswalker cards, such as Hero’s Downfall or Ruinous Path. These cards can neutralize Chandra before she accumulates loyalty and creates overwhelming board presence through her ability to copy spells.

Another worthwhile approach is maintaining a swift and aggressive board state. Applying pressure with fast creatures can prevent a player from comfortably setting up Chandra’s abilities. Direct damage spells can also be resourceful, enabling one to bypass potential blockers and directly diminish Chandra’s loyalty count.

Moreover, utilizing counter spells when Chandra is cast can thwart your opponent’s plans before they gain any advantage. Cards such as Negate are essential in your arsenal, especially when dealing with a planeswalker that can manipulate the pace and outcome of the game significantly.

In essence, to overcome Chandra, the Firebrand, swift reactions, direct removal, and anticipating her arrival are key. Adequate preparation and response will keep her fiery influence in check, allowing you to maintain control over the game’s trajectory.