Champion of the Flame MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Human Warrior
Abilities Trample
Power 1
Toughness 1

Key Takeaways

  1. Buffing Champion of the Flame with auras and equipment significantly enhances its threat level on the table.
  2. This MTG card is key in decks focusing on Voltron strategies, offering explosive offensive possibilities.
  3. Removal spells and artifact disruption are effective tactics against Champion of the Flame’s power-ups.

Text of card

Trample Champion of the Flame gets +2/+2 for each Aura and Equipment attached to it.

Grand Warlord Radha's challengers are always defeated, but she rewards the most passionate with the Flame of Keld. After that, they burn for her.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Champion of the Flame does not directly draw you cards, it encourages a strategy that utilizes Auras and Equipment. Every Aura or Equipment attached to it turns into potential for massive damage, making each card you draw more impactful as you build a single, formidable threat.

Resource Acceleration: Although this card doesn’t directly provide resource acceleration, increasing its power and toughness efficiently capitalizes on your resources. Each Aura and Equipment becomes a force multiplier, effectively utilizing your mana and cards for a dramatic boost in the creature’s offensive capability.

Instant Speed: Champion of the Flame benefits from being able to be equipped or enchanted at instant speed. While the card itself is not an instant, it pairs exceptionally well with Auras and Equipment that can be attached during your opponent’s turn or end phase, surprising your opponent with a sudden and overwhelming attacker or blocker.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Although Champion of the Flame can become a powerhouse, it necessitates discarding equipment or auras to truly leverage its ability. This requirement to ‘suit up’ the Champion means you’re also risking multiple cards to removal, potentially leading to card disadvantage if your opponent can deal with it cleanly.

Specific Mana Cost: Champion of the Flame’s casting cost demands a precise combination of red mana, which may not be optimal for all deck types. Decks that don’t normally include a heavy red mana base might find it hard to consistently summon the Champion early enough to be effective.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For two mana, one might hope for an immediate impact on the game’s board state. However, with Champion of the Flame, unless you already have auras or equipment in play, you’re likely investing further mana before seeing any return, which can be quite mana-intensive compared to other creatures or spells that have an instant effect on the battlefield.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Champion of the Flame thrives in decks built around equipment and auras, easily slipping into Boros (red-white) aggro or Voltron-style builds by growing in power with each attachment.

Combo Potential: This card’s ability to scale with the number of auras and equipment means it can become a formidable threat quickly, synergizing seamlessly with cards that fetch or recur these pieces from the deck or graveyard.

Meta-Relevance: Given its capacity for explosive turns in the right setup, Champion of the Flame can be a game-changer in metas where power-boosting artifacts and enchantments are prevalent, outpacing opponents who may not be prepared for such rapid aggression.


How to beat

Champion of the Flame is a potent force when equipped with artifacts and auras, boasting an almost unstoppable momentum as it grows stronger with each adornment. To undermine this fiery combatant on the battlefield, one must disrupt its synergy and prevent it from suitably arming itself. Dealing with this creature effectively requires timely removal spells before it gains the enhancements that make it formidable. Utilizing instant-speed interaction such as Shock or Fatal Push can eliminate Champion of the Flame before it becomes a larger threat.

Another successful strategy is to limit the availability of equipment and auras through countermeasures like countermagic or artifact destruction. Cards like Naturalize or Disenchant can dismantle the array of gear Champion of the Flame relies on. Moreover, employing enchantment-based prison effects, such as Pacifism, can contain the creature without triggering any potential “on death” effects that may be beneficial to your opponent.

Adaptability and timing are crucial; once Champion of the Flame is configured with multiple enhancements, it can escalate beyond control. A proactive approach ensures that this ambitious warrior never reaches its full, terrifying potential, keeping your path to victory clear and unobstructed.


BurnMana Recommendations

Perfecting your MTG gameplay involves recognizing the strength and potential of cards like Champion of the Flame. As you’ve journeyed through the advantages and drawbacks of this fiery contender, reflecting on the right synergies and strategies can transform your deck into a formidable lineup. From its raw power when armed to the tips and tactics to overcome its presence on the battlefield, every insight brings you one step closer to triumph. Ready to ignite your passion for deck-building and refine your skills? Dive deeper with us, discover advanced strategies, and add the Champion of the Flame to your arsenal to set the board ablaze with your next play.


Cards like Champion of the Flame

Champion of the Flame is a standout in the world of aura and equipment enthusiasts within MTG. Its kinship can be seen with Valduk, Keeper of the Flame, which also capitalizes on being equipped or enchanted to create a legion of elemental tokens. What Champion of the Flame offers over Valduk is the potential to become a massive threat with just one or two buffs, without splitting power across tokens. However, Valduk provides a more immediate board presence with multiple bodies.

Another comparable card is Tiana, Ship’s Caretaker, which has synergy with auras and equipment by returning them to your hand when they would go to the graveyard. While Tiana doesn’t grow in power like Champion of the Flame, she provides recurring value and resilience for your investment into permanents.

Putting these cards side by side, Champion of the Flame stands tall for those looking to build around a single, formidable threat, showcasing incredible potential for power amplification that can swiftly turn the tide of battle in MTG games.

Valduk, Keeper of the Flame - MTG Card versions
Tiana, Ship's Caretaker - MTG Card versions
Valduk, Keeper of the Flame - Dominaria (DOM)
Tiana, Ship's Caretaker - Dominaria (DOM)

Cards similar to Champion of the Flame by color, type and mana cost

Rock Hydra - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Weaponsmith - MTG Card versions
Goblin Rock Sled - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Lieutenant - MTG Card versions
Goblin Recruiter - MTG Card versions
Heart Sliver - MTG Card versions
Mogg Flunkies - MTG Card versions
Goblin Elite Infantry - MTG Card versions
Fireslinger - MTG Card versions
Skittish Kavu - MTG Card versions
Rage Weaver - MTG Card versions
Minotaur Explorer - MTG Card versions
Sparksmith - MTG Card versions
Goblin Lookout - MTG Card versions
Skirk Marauder - MTG Card versions
Hellspark Elemental - MTG Card versions
Storm Entity - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Soldier - MTG Card versions
Mogg War Marshal - MTG Card versions
Mudbrawler Cohort - MTG Card versions
Rock Hydra - Intl. Collectors' Edition (CEI)
Dwarven Weaponsmith - Foreign Black Border (FBB)
Goblin Rock Sled - The Dark (DRK)
Dwarven Lieutenant - Fallen Empires (FEM)
Goblin Recruiter - Visions (VIS)
Heart Sliver - Tempest (TMP)
Mogg Flunkies - Stronghold (STH)
Goblin Elite Infantry - Classic Sixth Edition (6ED)
Fireslinger - Duel Decks Anthology: Jace vs. Chandra (JVC)
Skittish Kavu - Invasion (INV)
Rage Weaver - Invasion (INV)
Minotaur Explorer - Odyssey (ODY)
Sparksmith - Onslaught (ONS)
Goblin Lookout - Legions (LGN)
Skirk Marauder - Legions (LGN)
Hellspark Elemental - DCI Promos (PDCI)
Storm Entity - Future Sight (FUT)
Dwarven Soldier - Masters Edition (ME1)
Mogg War Marshal - Duel Decks: Elves vs. Goblins (DD1)
Mudbrawler Cohort - Shadowmoor (SHM)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Champion of the Flame MTG card by a specific set like Dominaria and Commander Legends, 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 Champion of the Flame and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Champion of the Flame Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2018-04-27 and 2023-08-04. Illustrated by Wayne Reynolds.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12018-04-27DominariaDOM 1162015normalblackWayne Reynolds
22020-11-20Commander LegendsCMR 1672015normalblackWayne Reynolds
32023-08-04Commander MastersCMM 2102015normalblackWayne Reynolds

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Champion of the Flame has restrictions

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

Rules and information

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

DateText
2020-11-10 Because damage remains marked on a creature until the damage is removed as the turn ends, nonlethal damage dealt to Champion of the Flame may become lethal if an Aura or Equipment attached to it leaves the battlefield or becomes attached to another creature during that turn.

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