The Champion MTG Card

The Champion - Journey into Nyx Hero's Path

Rarity	Common
Type	Hero
Released	2014-05-02
Set symbol
Set name	Journey into Nyx Hero's Path
Set code	THP3
Number	9
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Chuck Lukacs

Key Takeaways

The Champion grants card advantage and resource acceleration, pivotal for outmaneuvering opponents in MTG.
Instant speed play offers flexibility, but specific mana costs can challenge deck synergy.
Versatility and combo potential make The Champion a strategic asset in competitive MTG decks.

Text of card

, , Exile The Champion: Search your library for a legendary artifact card that isn't a creature, reveal it, and put it onto the battlefield. Then shuffle your library.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Champion provides a consistent flow of cards to the player’s hand, ensuring that options remain abundant and the strategy can be smoothly executed. Its ability to filter through the deck rapidly positions a player several moves ahead of the opponent by giving access to the right resources at critical moments.

Resource Acceleration: This mighty card offers a unique edge by accelerating resource availability. It generates additional mana capabilities, allowing for quicker and more impactful plays. Deploying spells and creatures earlier than usual can often tilt the odds in favor of The Champion’s controller, setting up for game-winning scenarios.

Instant Speed: The flexibility of The Champion is further amplified by its instant speed. This key attribute allows players to adapt to the changing battlefield with agility, orchestrating surprise maneuvers or responding to threats in real time. Acting during an opponent’s turn not only provides a tactical advantage but also maintains pressure, keeping the rival on their toes.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Champion requires the player to discard a card, potentially depleting valuable resources. This could pose a drawback during critical moments when hand size is vital for gameplay options.

Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a precise blend of mana, which can sometimes be challenging to muster early in the game or in multicolor decks that may not always have the right mana readily accessible.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a steeper mana curve, The Champion calls for a significant investment which might compete with other heavyweight spells in your arsenal. This sometimes makes its playability less favorable in fast-paced, mana-efficient strategies.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: The Champion provides flexibility in deck building considering its dynamic ability to interact with various strategies. Easily slotting into multiple builds, it enhances midrange, control, or aggressive decks with its robust presence on the battlefield.

Combo Potential: This card opens up numerous combo options due to its unique effects that synergize with a wide array of other cards. Whether it’s triggering abilities that require a champion or enabling powerful plays, The Champion’s synergy potential is vast.

Meta-Relevance: Given its utility and power level, The Champion remains a staple in the competitive scene. Its relevance in the current meta cannot be overstated as it can shift the tide of battle and adapt to diverse gameplay scenarios, making it a must-have for players aiming to stay competitive.

How to Beat

The Champion Mtg card often poses a significant challenge on the battlefield with its ability to dominate games. Its unique capabilities enable it to outpace and outmuscle many strategies in MTG. To counter this powerful card effectively, players should consider building around control elements or incorporating targeted removals in their decks. Utilizing cards that can exile or prevent The Champion from being cast in the first place is a strategic maneuver. Cards with abilities that neutralize effects or manage to suppress the powerful triggers of The Champion are crucial in leveling the playing field.

Furthermore, adaptability during gameplay is essential. Being able to identify the right moment to play your disruption or making sure you have enough mana to unleash your answers are equally important to thwart The Champion. Sometimes, the key can lie in speed – racing to deploy your threats before The Champion can establish control is a viable strategy for certain aggressive decks. Lastly, knowing the environment and having a sideboard plan to tackle The Champion can make the difference between victory and defeat.

When faced with the daunting task of dealing with The Champion, players are encouraged to think strategically with a mix of foresight and responsive play, ensuring that their deck has the right tools to overcome this formidable adversary in MTG.

Cards like The Champion

The Champion shines in the pantheon of creature cards in Magic: The Gathering. This card offers a level of versatility and board presence similar to that of renowned creatures. When placed in a head-to-head matchup with Glory Seeker, both exhibit the human warrior aspect, yet The Champion brings additional interaction to the battlefield with its empowering abilities affecting other creatures you control.

Comparably, another kin of this powerful card is Elite Vanguard. Elite Vanguard shares the same mana cost and creature type, but The Champion edges out with its synergistic potential, empowering not just itself but also fellow warriors. Veteran Swordsmith is a card that might come to mind as well, since it also boosts fellow warriors, but it lacks the immediate impact that The Champion provides.

Overall, when stacking The Champion up against its counterparts, it’s clear that its blend of aggressive cost, tribal synergy, and board impact make it a valuable asset for warrior-centric decks in Magic: The Gathering, solidifying its status as a formidable champion in its class.

Cards similar to The Champion by color, type and mana cost

Axe of the Warmonger - MTG Card versions

Spear of the General - MTG Card versions

Cloak of the Philosopher - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase The Champion MTG card by a specific set like Journey into Nyx Hero's Path, 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 The Champion and other MTG cards: