Clay Champion MTG Card

Card versatility ensures strategic adaptability, granting players multiple blockers or attackers during gameplay. Clay Champion’s instant speed allows dynamic play, contributing to unpredictability and strategic advantage. Demands careful play due to its discard requirement, challenging players to maintain card advantage.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityMythic
TypeArtifact Creature — Construct
Power 2
Toughness 2

Text of card

Clay Champion enters the battlefield with three +1/+1 counters on it for each spent to cast it. When Clay Champion enters the battlefield, choose up to two other target creatures you control. For each spent to cast Clay Champion, put a +1/+1 counter on each of them.

Cards like Clay Champion

Clay Champion brings a unique dynamic to the battlefield in the realm of creature cards. When looking at other golem cards in MTG, it’s interesting to compare its features to similar choices such as Rusted Relic and Adaptive Automaton. Like Clay Champion, Rusted Relic taps into the theme of requiring a certain game state – in this case, metalcraft – to flourish, which means having three artifacts to become a potent creature. Unlike Clay Champion, the Relic lacks the intrinsic creature status without the condition being met.

Adaptive Automaton, on the other hand, offers versatility as it can become any creature type, enhancing its kind broadly. It doesn’t possess the same self-improving ability of the Clay Champion, but it supports an entire tribe, potentially delivering a stronger cumulative benefit. Furthermore, Precursor Golem, another card with a resemblance, brings value through creating additional golem tokens when it enters the battlefield, yet without the individual growth potential of Clay Champion.

Analyzing such cards side-by-side, it’s clear that Clay Champion occupies its own niche in the golem creature type, with its self-buffing capability suited for long-term game strategies, making it a compelling choice for players looking to steadily build an intimidating presence on the board.

Rusted Relic - MTG Card versions
Adaptive Automaton - MTG Card versions
Precursor Golem - MTG Card versions
Rusted Relic - MTG Card versions
Adaptive Automaton - MTG Card versions
Precursor Golem - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Selesnya CountersSelesnya Counters StandardSelesnya Midrange2023Players Convention Aichi 2023 Standard Open

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Clay Champion offers a unique take on card value by potentially creating multiple blockers or attackers depending on your strategy. This versatility can lead to gaining advantage on the board, putting you in a stronger position with more options at your disposal in subsequent turns.

Resource Acceleration: As a card that can fit seamlessly into decks focusing on synergies with creature tokens or counters, Clay Champion has the potential to escalate the resources you have on the board rapidly. Its ability to enhance your creature’s capabilities may lead to faster, more impactful plays.

Instant Speed: The adaptability conferred by Clay Champion’s instant speed is significant. It allows you to react during your opponent’s turn, making your strategic moves less predictable and more dynamic. You can wait for the most opportune moment to utilize this card, such as after an opponent has committed to an attack or when you need an unexpected blocker.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: When deploying Clay Champion from your hand, keep in mind that you must let go of another card from your grip. This can be a setback when you’re trying to maintain card advantage against your opponent. Each card discarded is a resource lost, potentially putting you at a significant disadvantage if not well-timed.

Specific Mana Cost: Clay Champion’s casting cost demands specific mana types, which means it fits best in a deck designed around those colors. This requirement can restrict deck-building flexibility and hinder your ability to include it in a diverse array of strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a higher mana investment compared to other creatures of similar strength, it poses the question—will Clay Champion be worth the spend? There are alternatives out there offering more bang for your buck, making it an important consideration especially when planning your mana curve in the early game.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Clay Champion can be easily slotted into various decks, offering solid stats for its cost and the ability to bolster your board presence efficiently.

Combo Potential: With its activated abilities, Clay Champion can synergize with decks that care about +1/+1 counters or those looking to exploit tap and untap mechanics.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where creature-based strategies are prevalent, having a card like Clay Champion can prove pivotal in outpacing your opponent’s threats while maintaining board control.

How to beat

The Clay Champion is a unique card that presents a significant challenge in MTG. Its resilience and capability to grow stronger with each combat phase make it a formidable opponent. In order to successfully counter this card, it is essential to adopt a strategic approach that involves removal spells or abilities that bypass its potential to become indestructible. Cards like Terminate or Path to Exile offer a solution by removing it from the game without triggering its indestructible condition. Additionally, using counterspells such as Mana Leak can prevent the Clay Champion from entering the battlefield in the first place.

Another strategy is to control the battlefield with enchantments like Pacifism, which can effectively neutralize the Clay Champion without having to remove it. By restricting its ability to attack or block, you can mitigate the threat it poses. Moreover, employing flying creatures offers an aerial advantage that the Clay Champion, typically being a ground-based creature, cannot easily contest.

Ultimately, when facing the Clay Champion, it is crucial to consider its key weaknesses and apply appropriate countermeasures swiftly. By doing so, players can contain this mighty creature and maintain an upper hand in their battles.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Clay Champion MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and The Brothers' War, 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 Clay Champion and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Clay Champion Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2022-11-18 and 2022-11-18. Illustrated by Leon Tukker.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 1057982015NormalBlackLeon Tukker
22022-11-18The Brothers' WarBRO 2302015NormalBlackLeon Tukker
32022-11-18The Brothers' WarBRO 3622015NormalBlackLeon Tukker

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Clay Champion has restrictions

FormatLegality
StandardLegal
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
AlchemyLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
FutureLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
BrawlLegal
TimelessLegal