Daybreak Charger MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Unicorn
Power 3
Toughness 1

Key Takeaways

  1. Daybreak Charger enhances early game aggression by immediately boosting another creature’s power.
  2. Affords tempo acceleration without using up extra resources, improving board presence notably.
  3. Limited flexibility potentially narrows its use to specific, aggressive, white-centric decks.

Text of card

When Daybreak Charger enters the battlefield, target creature gets +2/+0 until end of turn.

It's often mistaken for the coming dawn as it gallops across the horizon.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Daybreak Charger may not directly draw you cards, but it tilts the board presence in your favor. When you play this card, it immediately impacts the battlefield, possibly turning an otherwise unproductive turn into a pressure application on your opponent.

Resource Acceleration: While Daybreak Charger doesn’t affect your mana pool, it does offer a form of tempo acceleration. Casting this two-cost creature can accelerate your game plan, empowering one of your creatures with an additional +2/+0 the moment it enters the battlefield, pushing for more aggressive strategies early on.

Instant Speed: This card operates as a sorcery, and though it lacks the flexibility of instant speed, it compensates with the surprise buff during your turn. The immediate power boost can turn the tides by allowing for unexpectedly favorable trades or direct player damage that can be crucial for maintaining momentum.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Even though Daybreak Charger has no discard requirement, when considering cards for inclusion in your deck, it’s always crucial to weigh the benefits of each creature’s impact on the board against the need for maintaining card advantage in your hand.

Specific Mana Cost: Daybreak Charger’s mana cost includes one Plains, demanding a dedicated slot in white-based decks, which could restrict its versatility across various deck archetypes.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While two mana for a 3/1 creature that buffs another upon entering the battlefield might seem reasonable, in the highly competitive environment of MTG, players may find other two-mana creatures or spells that offer greater flexibility or additional value over time.


Reasons to Include Daybreak Charger in Your Collection

Versatility: Daybreak Charger can be a useful addition to a variety of decks, especially those focused on aggressive strategies. Its ability to give a creature a significant power boost upon entering the battlefield can be pivotal in early game combat scenarios.

Combo Potential: This card works well in synergy with decks that capitalize on +1/+1 counters or need creatures with increased power to trigger effects or enhance combat outcomes. It’s a valuable combo piece in decks that aim to quickly overwhelm opponents.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment where early board presence is crucial, Daybreak Charger can be particularly effective. With its ability to swing early game momentum in your favor, it’s a worthy consideration for your collection when facing a meta that leans towards tempo plays and swift creature-based tactics.


How to beat Daybreak Charger

Daybreak Charger stands as an interesting creature in the realm of Magic: The Gathering. Known for its ability to provide an immediate buff to another creature, this card shines in aggressive strategies. It’s a straightforward card – upon entering the battlefield, it gives a +2/+0 boost to another target creature until the end of turn. This brief power surge can be instrumental in securing an early game lead.

However, tackling the charger is about timing and control. One effective manner is to remove potential targets before Daybreak Charger can be cast. Prioritize the use of instant removal spells or flash creatures to disrupt your opponent’s board ahead of the Charger’s arrival. Also, countering the Charger directly with spells can prove to be highly efficient, halting the threat before it even begins.

Moreover, Daybreak Charger’s impact is limited. Once it has given the power boost, it stands as a 3/1 creature. Use this to your advantage by preparing creatures or spells that can outclass these stats without demanding high mana resources, ensuring your board presence remains dominant. In essence, staying one step ahead with removal, counterspells, and stronger creatures will negate the Charger’s effect significantly, keeping your life total secure.


Understanding Daybreak Charger’s Place in MTG

When evaluating Daybreak Charger against its counterparts in the realm of aggressive creatures in Magic: The Gathering, we can observe that it nestles comfortably within a familiar niche. With its immediate impact on the battlefield bolstered by its ability to empower another creature with a +2/+0 boost upon entry, it shares a kinship with cards like Goblin Motivator that also accelerates the power of your creatures.

Cards like Daybreak Charger

Daybreak Charger has entered the arena as a solid option for players looking to add some muscle to their board swiftly. Much like the swift and impactful Ember Hauler, which offers a secondary effect, Daybreak Charger delivers an aggressive two-for-one by giving another creature a temporary power spike while presenting a respectable body of its own. Contrast this with the function of Oreskos Swiftclaw, which simply provides a more muscular body without any additional effects, and you can see Daybreak Charger’s advantage in creating offensive opportunities.

Trusted Pegasus also stands as a creature providing allied benefits, granting another creature the ability to fly when it attacks. However, Daybreak Charger distinguishes itself with the immediacy of its impact, which can be critical during the early stages of combat. Sun Tail Hawk might offer a flying creature for the same cost, but lacks the immediate board impact that makes Daybreak Charger particularly suitable for aggressive strategies that aim to close games quickly.

In essence, Daybreak Charger fits well into aggressive MTG white decks seeking to enhance their offensive capabilities. By delivering immediate impact upon entry, it can be the difference between a simple assortment of creatures and a formidable army capable of overwhelming an opponent in the early throes of conflict.

Goblin Motivator - MTG Card versions
Ember Hauler - MTG Card versions
Oreskos Swiftclaw - MTG Card versions
Trusted Pegasus - MTG Card versions
Goblin Motivator - Core Set 2019 (M19)
Ember Hauler - Magic 2011 (M11)
Oreskos Swiftclaw - Journey into Nyx (JOU)
Trusted Pegasus - War of the Spark (WAR)

Cards similar to Daybreak Charger by color, type and mana cost

White Knight - MTG Card versions
Soul Shepherd - MTG Card versions
Soltari Monk - MTG Card versions
Talon Sliver - MTG Card versions
Keeper of the Light - MTG Card versions
Faith Healer - MTG Card versions
Angelic Page - MTG Card versions
Avenger en-Dal - MTG Card versions
Royal Falcon - MTG Card versions
Spirit Weaver - MTG Card versions
Voice of the Blessed - MTG Card versions
Stoneforge Mystic - MTG Card versions
Drannith Magistrate - MTG Card versions
Leonin Lightscribe - MTG Card versions
Silver Knight - MTG Card versions
Longbow Archer - MTG Card versions
Silverflame Squire // On Alert - MTG Card versions
Flumph - MTG Card versions
Soltari Priest - MTG Card versions
Luminarch Aspirant - MTG Card versions
White Knight - Duel Decks: Knights vs. Dragons (DDG)
Soul Shepherd - Weatherlight (WTH)
Soltari Monk - Tempest (TMP)
Talon Sliver - Tempest (TMP)
Keeper of the Light - Exodus (EXO)
Faith Healer - Urza's Saga (USG)
Angelic Page - Battle Royale Box Set (BRB)
Avenger en-Dal - Nemesis (NEM)
Royal Falcon - Starter 2000 (S00)
Spirit Weaver - Invasion (INV)
Voice of the Blessed - Innistrad: Crimson Vow (VOW)
Stoneforge Mystic - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Drannith Magistrate - Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths (IKO)
Leonin Lightscribe - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Silver Knight - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Longbow Archer - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Silverflame Squire // On Alert - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Flumph - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Soltari Priest - Tempest Remastered (TPR)
Luminarch Aspirant - Magic Online Promos (PRM)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Daybreak Charger MTG card by a specific set like Core Set 2021 and Jumpstart 2022, 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 Daybreak Charger and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Daybreak Charger Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2020-07-03 and 2022-12-02. Illustrated by Forrest Imel.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12020-07-03Core Set 2021M21 142015normalblackForrest Imel
22022-12-02Jumpstart 2022J22 1722015normalblackForrest Imel

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Daybreak Charger has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

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