Chandra's Pyreling MTG Card

Chandra's Pyreling - Core Set 2021 (M21)

Core Set 2021 (M21)
2020-07-03 - Number 138

Core Set 2021 (M21)
2020-07-03 - Number 304

Chandra's Pyreling - Jumpstart 2022 (J22)

Jumpstart 2022 (J22)
2022-12-02 - Number 513

Card sets	Released in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Elemental Lizard
Power	1
Toughness	3

Key Takeaways

Thrives with card-draw spells and synergizes to convert damage into a growing battlefield threat.
Acts as an accelerant in red aggro decks, efficiently transforming noncombat damage into power.
Instant-speed damage spells enable surprise swings in power, capitalizing on Chandra’s Pyreling’s prowess.

Text of card

Whenever a source you control deals noncombat damage to an opponent, Chandra's Pyreling gets +1/+0 and gains double strike until end of turn. (It deals both first-strike and regular combat damage.)

"I think Chandra just wanted something to blame random scorch marks on." —Jace Beleren

Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Chandra’s Pyreling itself doesn’t directly offer raw card advantage, it synergizes extremely well with card-draw spells that involve damage output, helping to convert those damage points into a substantial threat on the battlefield.

Resource Acceleration: Chandra’s Pyreling can serve as an accelerant in a red aggro deck when it comes to damage efficiency. Each instance of noncombat damage you deal to your opponent not only contributes to reducing their life total but also buffs the Pyreling, potentially shortening the game.

Instant Speed: This card thrives in a deck with numerous instant-speed damage spells. Such spells can unexpectedly turn Chandra’s Pyreling into a massive creature during combat, outmaneuvering the opponent’s calculations and turning the tide of battle in your favor.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Chandra’s Pyreling can be less appealing in decks that do not regularly cast noncreature spells, potentially leading to missed opportunities for its prowess-like ability to trigger.

Specific Mana Cost: This card requires red mana for both casting and its activated ability, making it somewhat restrictive and less flexible for multi-colored decks that might struggle with red mana consistency.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that demands two mana for a 1/3 creature, players may find more aggressive or impactful cards to occupy the two-drop slot within their decks, especially given the high-paced nature of the game.

Reasons to Include Chandra’s Pyreling in Your Collection

Versatility: Chandra’s Pyreling is a dynamic addition to decks that capitalize on non-combat damage. Its ability to get stronger every time you deal non-combat damage makes it a solid complement to spellslinger and red burn decks.

Combo Potential: When paired with cards that deal repeated damage, Chandra’s Pyreling swells in power quickly, paving the way for substantial damage delivery. Its synergy with red spells that deliver damage across the board is an asset for constructing explosive combinations.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where small creatures are prevalent, Chandra’s Pyreling can dominate the battlefield. As red decks often include instant and sorcery spells that deal damage, this creature becomes an essential component in maintaining a robust board presence against opponents’ creature-heavy strategies.

How to beat

Chandra’s Pyreling is an agile and explosive element within the MTG arena, known for its ability to swell in power with each noncombat damage dealt to your opponent. It pairs superbly with red spells that dish out damage without the need for physical confrontation. And yet, for all its fiery potential, outmaneuvering this card is a deft exercise in control and timing.

To successfully extinguish the threat of the Pyreling, consider cards that can neutralize creatures before they escalate. Removal spells like Murder or Heartless Act enable you to address the creature directly, bypassing its ability to grow. Meanwhile, enchantments with pacifying effects such as Pacifism or the crippling power of a well-timed Counterspell can curb the Pyreling’s ascent before it begins. Moreover, strategies involving life gain can offset the incremental damage this creature threatens to inflict, ensuring your survivability as you dismantle your opponent’s fiery strategy.

Engaging in this tactical dance, focusing on preemptive control, and maintaining a robust defense against direct damage is essential in quelling the fervent spark of Chandra’s Pyreling. In essence, the key to defeating this particular challenge within the MTG landscape is to remain vigilant and employ a strategy that extinguishes flames before they have a chance to spread.

Cards like Chandra's Pyreling

Chandra’s Pyreling is a dynamic element within red creature decks in Magic: The Gathering. This card echoes the functionalities of similar creature cards like Thermo-Alchemist, which also benefits from spells and abilities that deal damage. Chandra’s Pyreling distinguishes itself with the ability to all-out attack by doubling its power when you cast a noncreature spell that deals damage, taking advantage of spellslinging decks.

If we delve into comparisons, Firebrand Archer is another card that thrives in a similar ecosystem, dealing damage to each opponent whenever you cast a noncreature spell. Although it doesn’t boast the power boosting feature of Chandra’s Pyreling, its consistent damage output can exert pressure. Then there’s Guttersnipe, a slightly bulkier inclusion that hits each opponent for two damage with each instant and sorcery spell cast. Even without the power buff, Guttersnipe can be a key asset for controlling the board.

To wrap it up, Chandra’s Pyreling stands as a unique option for red spell-based strategies in Magic: The Gathering, matching well with aggressive gameplay thanks to its potential for rapid power growth and synergy with damage-dealing spells.

Cards similar to Chandra's Pyreling by color, type and mana cost

Goblin Elite Infantry - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Chandra's Pyreling MTG card by a specific set like Core Set 2021 and Core Set 2021, 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 Chandra's Pyreling and other MTG cards:

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Printings

The Chandra's Pyreling Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2020-07-03 and 2022-12-02. Illustrated by Josu Hernaiz.

#	Released	Name	Code	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2020-07-03	Core Set 2021	M21	138	2015	Normal	Black	Josu Hernaiz
2	2020-07-03	Core Set 2021	M21	304	2015	Normal	Black	Josu Hernaiz
3	2022-12-02	Jumpstart 2022	J22	513	2015	Normal	Black	Josu Hernaiz

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Chandra's Pyreling has restrictions

Format	Legality
Historicbrawl	Legal
Historic	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Restricted
Oathbreaker	Legal
Gladiator	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Commander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Explorer	Legal
Penny	Legal
Timeless	Legal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Chandra's Pyreling card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date	Text
2020-06-23	Combat damage is the damage that's dealt automatically by attacking and blocking creatures. Any other damage is noncombat damage, even if it's dealt during a combat phase by an attacking or blocking creature.
2020-06-23	The ability of Chandra's Pyreling triggers just once per event for each opponent who is dealt noncombat damage by a source you control, regardless of how much damage that player is dealt. For example, if a sorcery you control deals 2 damage to each opponent in a four-player game, the ability will trigger three times.