Ethereal Champion MTG Card
1996-10-08 - Number 15
1999-04-21 - Number 20
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Avatar |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 4 |
Text of card
Pay 1 life: Prevent 1 damage to Ethereal Champion.
"If I have learned anything as a wizard it is this: never fight your own battles." —Waffa, sorcerer of Nyomba
Cards like Ethereal Champion
Ethereal Champion’s presence in a deck is somewhat reminiscent of other formidable creatures in Magic The Gathering. When considering its abilities, one could contrast it with Serra Angel. Both have vigilance, allowing them to attack without tapping, hence they remain on defense which can be crucial in maintaining board presence. However, Ethereal Champion demands a mana to maintain its invulnerability, whereas Serra Angel lacks this but naturally possesses flying.
Another card that strikes a similar chord is Baneslayer Angel, a creature that boasts both flying and lifelink, providing tactical benefits Ethereal Champion does not directly offer. The lifelink feature can significantly alter the course of a game by enhancing the player’s life total. Nonetheless, the measure of control Ethereal Champion offers by protecting itself from spells and abilities can be pivotal in certain matchups.
Comparing these cards underlines the strategic variation that Ethereal Champion brings to the table. It may not possess all the bells and whistles of the others, but its unique defensive capability allows players to safeguard key board states, anchoring its role in the multifaceted domain of Magic The Gathering.
Cards similar to Ethereal Champion by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Ethereal Champion rewards you by drawing an extra card whenever it’s targeted by a spell you control, helping you to keep your hand stocked with options.
Resource Acceleration: Ethereal Champion can provide an advantage by potentially lowering the casting cost of your next spells, enabling you to cast more spells or deploy larger threats earlier in the game.
Instant Speed: The ability to use its activated power at instant speed gives you the flexibility to wait for the most opportune moment, be it during combat or end of your opponent’s turn, to optimize your strategy and resource allocation.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: In decks where hand size is vital, the Ethereal Champion forces a discard that can be costly. Playing this card can result in sacrificing crucial strategic resources, especially if your hand is already dwindling.
Specific Mana Cost: Requiring an exact blend of mana to cast, the Ethereal Champion may not be as flexible as desired. The commitment to specific colors may restrict deck-building options or require a more complex mana base to ensure it can be played on curve.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: At a high resource investment for its abilities, the Ethereal Champion may not match up well against other options in the same mana slot. Players might find that other creatures or spells offer more value, making it a less competitive choice for a prime spot in your deck.
Reasons to Include Ethereal Champion in Your Collection
Versatility: Ethereal Champion is a card that can seamlessly integrate into a wide range of decks. Its ability to serve as both an aggressive and defensive asset makes it a flexible choice for players aiming to adapt to various playstyles.
Combo Potential: As a card with a solid presence on the battlefield, Ethereal Champion can be paired with numerous other cards to create powerful synergies. It can bolster strategies that revolve around life gain, auras, and equipment.
Meta-Relevance: Ethereal Champion’s relevance in the ever-shifting metagame cannot be understated. It offers a tactical advantage in games that focus on creature-based strategies or where maintaining board presence is critical for victory.
How to beat
Ethereal Champion is a card that commands respect on the battlefield with its significant presence in MTG. It blends a considerable toughness with a unique ability that can deflect damage away from your opponent’s creatures or themselves, enabling formidable defensive strategies. Players often deploy it to solidify their defensive line while slowly attritioning the adversary’s resources.
To effectively counteract the Ethereal Champion, one needs to consider various approaches. Removal spells that bypass its damage prevention ability, such as those that specify “destroy” or “exile”, can be effective tools. Similarly, spells that reduce toughness rather than dealing damage can also remove the Champion from the game without triggering its protective ability. Additionally, employing cards that force a player to sacrifice a creature can circumvent the Champion’s defense since it does not rely on dealing damage. Strategic use of these techniques can help players navigate around this substantial obstacle and maintain an advantage in battle.
In light of this, it becomes clear that while the Ethereal Champion can be a formidable barrier, careful selection of spells and tactics tailored to circumvent its unique defenses can dismantle this card’s advantage on the MTG battleground.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Ethereal Champion MTG card by a specific set like Mirage and Classic Sixth Edition, 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 Ethereal Champion 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 Ethereal Champion Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1996-10-08 and 1999-04-21. Illustrated by Terese Nielsen.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1996-10-08 | Mirage | MIR | 15 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Terese Nielsen | |
| 2 | 1999-04-21 | Classic Sixth Edition | 6ED | 20 | 1997 | Normal | White | Terese Nielsen |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Ethereal Champion has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |