Charge MTG Card
2018-04-27 - Number 10
2019-11-07 - Number 55
2020-09-26 - Number DOM-10
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Instant |
Text of card
Creatures you control get +1/+1 until end of turn.
"Honor rides before us. All we have to do is catch up." —Danitha Capashen
Understanding the Mechanics of Charge
Charge is a versatile instant that serves as a key piece in decks focused on bolstering the power of numerous creatures at once. It’s akin to cards like Fortify, which also grants a temporary power increase to creatures. However, Charge distinguishes itself with a meager mana cost of only one, enabling a swift and unexpected surge in combat strength. Fortify, with a higher mana cost, offers a choice between boosting defense or offense, presenting a more flexible, albeit expensive, option.
Another card worthy of comparison is Inspired Charge. Despite sharing the instant type and similar name, Inspired Charge requires significantly more mana and boosts both power and toughness. This makes it an excellent choice for overwhelming the opponent during a crucial combat phase but demands more planning due to its cost.
When assessing the practicalities of combat tricks in MTG, Charge shines due to its low cost and the element of surprise it brings to the battlefield. It enables a strategic advantage while preserving mana for other potential plays, making it an efficient tool in creature-heavy decks aiming for a quick victory.
Cards similar to Charge by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Charge. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Monowhite weenie | Pauper | Lega Pauper Napoli - VI Tappa |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Charge doesn’t directly translate into drawing cards, it synergizes well with decks that rely on creature presence, essentially multiplying the power of your board state and enhancing the value of each creature you control.
Resource Acceleration: Charge aids in the swift escalation of your creatures’ capabilities. By bolstering your entire army with additional power, it accelerates your offensive resources, potentially leading to an earlier victory.
Instant Speed: The utility of Charge being an instant cannot be overstated. This trait allows you to adapt reactively to the flow of the game, only deploying the spell when it can have the most impactful effect, such as during the combat phase or in response to an opponent’s actions.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Charge, while offering a potential combat edge, necessitates discarding a card, a steep price for decks that already struggle with maintaining hand advantage.
Specific Mana Cost: Charge’s mana cost is color-restricted to white, which can be prohibitive for multicolored or colorless strategies and limit the card’s overall flexibility.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Given Charge’s effect of only increasing creatures’ power for a single turn, its mana investment is substantial when compared to other buffs or combat tricks in the same cost bracket.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Charge can be a key component in decks that require a sudden boost in power, particularly when you’re building an army of creatures on the battlefield. Its low mana cost allows for it to be easily slotted into various deck types without compromising the mana curve.
Combo Potential: This card shines in combinations with creatures that have abilities triggered by +1/+1 counters or when you’re on the threshold of overwhelming your opponent. Seamlessly pairing with proliferate mechanics or doubling effects, Charge serves as a force multiplier in the right setup.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta that’s crowded with aggressive strategies, Charge can tilt the balance in your favor. The instant speed of the spell allows for last-minute combat tricks that can serve as a game-changer during critical turns.
How to beat
Charge is a simple yet potent spell that can bolster the might of an entire army in a single swift cast. For just one white mana, each creature you control gets a temporary buff in the form of an additional +1/+1 until the end of the turn. This can quickly turn the tides of a combat phase or enable a formidable finishing move.
Overcoming the surging power of Charge involves strategic foresight and timely card play. Control decks have the upper hand here, with a plethora of counter spells that nix Charge before its effects even hit the board. You might consider cards like Negate or Essence Scatter to halt it in its tracks. Meanwhile, for those favoring a less reactive approach, board wipes such as Wrath of God or Damnation effectively reset the playfield, rendering Charge null and void.
Adapting to your opponent’s tempo is crucial, as Charge is often played in decks aiming to amass creatures quickly and overwhelm opponents. Spot removals or mass removals can dismantle their strategy, leaving them without a platform to capitalize on Charge’s potential. Therefore, maintaining card advantage and board control is key to outmaneuvering the swift boost that Charge aims to provide.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Charge MTG card by a specific set like Dominaria and Mystery Booster, 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 Charge and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Printings
The Charge Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2018-04-27 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Zezhou Chen.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2018-04-27 | Dominaria | DOM | 10 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Zezhou Chen | |
| 2 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 55 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Zezhou Chen | |
| 3 | The List | PLST | DOM-10 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Zezhou Chen |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Charge has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Charge card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2018-04-27 | Charge affects only creatures you control at the time it resolves. Creatures you begin to control later in the turn won’t get +1/+1. |