Chariot of the Sun MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Artifact
Released	1996-10-08
Set symbol
Set name	Mirage
Set code	MIR
Number	297
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Gerry Grace

Key Takeaways

Chariot of the Sun provides card draw and resource acceleration, crucial for maintaining a game lead.
Its versatility at instant speed makes it essential for adapting strategies during play.
While powerful, it requires careful mana management and strategic discards by the player.

Text of card

, oc T: Target creature you control gains flying and has its toughness reduced to 1 until end of turn.

"Sun follows Moon until she tires, then carries her until she's strong / and runs ahead of him again." —"Love Song of Night and Day"

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Chariot of the Sun shines by granting its controller additional opportunities to draw cards, ensuring they remain stocked with options to outmaneuver their opponents.

Resource Acceleration: This powerful card can provide a substantial boost in resources, enabling players to advance their board state more rapidly than usual, and potentially tipping the scales in their favor.

Instant Speed: Versatility is key in the game, and the ability to play Chariot of the Sun at instant speed allows for strategic plays that can adapt to the flow of the match, making it a formidable tool in any player’s arsenal.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Chariot of the Sun mandates a discard, often forcing players to make tough decisions about which resources to forfeit. This can be particularly disadvantageous during late-game scenarios where holding on to key cards is critical.

Specific Mana Cost: With a defined mana requirement that leans towards a particular color identity, Chariot of the Sun might not seamlessly fit into multicolored decks, potentially limiting its versatility across diverse deck builds.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The investment needed to cast Chariot of the Sun can be steep relative to other options in the game. Given this higher mana threshold, players might find alternative cards that provide more immediate or impactful board presence for the same, or even lower, mana commitment.

Reasons to Include Chariot of the Sun in Your Collection

Versatility: Chariot of the Sun offers a unique dynamic to deck building with its ability to be slotted into various strategies. It’s not just a vehicle or equipment card; it can also serve as an enhancement to creature abilities, providing an edge in multiple game scenarios.

Combo Potential: This card exhibits an intrinsic synergy with cards that care about artifact interactions or the untapping of permanents. It could become a cog in an engine that unleashes powerful plays, setting off a chain reaction of game-winning combos.

Meta-Relevance: Given its ability to adapt to different types of decks, Chariot of the Sun can be a sleeper hit in a meta that values versatility and innovation. It’s the kind of card that can slip under the radar and then dominate games by enabling unforeseen interactions and strategies.

How to Beat Chariot of the Sun

The MTG card pool offers various strategies to counter the effectiveness of Chariot of the Sun. This artifact’s ability to grant haste to another target creature presents a challenge, calling for timely disruption. To mitigate the impact of this card, consider using instant-speed removal spells that can be cast in response to the activation of Chariot of the Sun’s ability. Efficient options include Path to Exile or Fatal Push, which eliminate the targeted creature before it can capitalize on the haste provided.

Artifact removal spells also serve as a direct answer to Chariot of the Sun itself. Cards like Nature’s Claim or Abrade can remove Chariot of the Sun from the battlefield at a low mana cost, preventing any further advantage. Stifling the artifact’s ability with countermagic like Negate or Disallow when it’s activated can also be quite effective, though this requires holding up mana specifically for that purpose.

Ultimately, being proactive and aware of the possibility of Chariot of the Sun entering the battlefield will guide your decision-making. Whether you prioritize removing the artifact directly, disrupting the creature it aims to empower, or simply outpacing your opponent with a faster strategy, several lines of play can neutralize the threat of this potent card.

Cards like Chariot of the Sun

The Chariot of the Sun card offers Magic: The Gathering players a unique blend of versatility and strategy. With clear parallels to artifacts such as Skysovereign, Consul Flagship, it packs a similar punch in controlling the board and dealing damage. The Chariot of the Sun, however, shines with its ability to grant indestructible to your creatures for a turn, a feature that Skysovereign doesn’t possess.

Another comparable card is Fleetwheel Cruiser, which also turns into a creature when it enters the battlefield. The Chariot of the Sun takes it a step further by offering this effect every turn with the right setup and crew cost. While Fleetwheel Cruiser needs no crewing on the first turn, its subsequent turns demand more from the player.

It’s also worth mentioning Aethersphere Harvester in this comparison. This artifact provides a different kind of resilience with its lifelink ability, aiding in player survival. The Chariot of the Sun, in contrast, focuses on safeguarding your creatures, curating a persistent presence on the battlefield. It’s these dynamics that underline the Chariot of the Sun’s potential in MTG, offering an enduring advantage and being a game-changer in creature-heavy matchups.

Skysovereign, Consul Flagship - MTG Card versions

Aethersphere Harvester - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Chariot of the Sun by color, type and mana cost

Arena of the Ancients - MTG Card versions

Scale of Chiss-Goria - MTG Card versions

Sword of Feast and Famine - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Chariot of the Sun MTG card by a specific set like Mirage, 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 Chariot of the Sun and other MTG cards:

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Chariot of the Sun has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Premodern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal

Rules and information

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