Preening Champion MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Bird Knight |
| Abilities | Flying |
| Released | 2023-04-21 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | March of the Machine |
| Set code | MOM |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
| Number | 73 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Alix Branwyn |
Text of card
Flying When Preening Champion enters the battlefield, create a 1/1 blue and red Elemental creature token.
On Kylem, the omens of impending invasion went largely unnoticed, drowned out by the everyday fanfare of Valor's Reach.
Cards like Preening Champion
Preening Champion, as a card in Magic: The Gathering, sits amidst a number of powerful creature cards that bear the renowned renown mechanic. Likened to cards such as Abzan Falconer, which not only gains a +1/+1 counter upon dealing combat damage to a player but also grants flying to other creatures you control with +1/+1 counters, Preening Champion takes a more self-focused approach. The value of Abzan Falconer in a deck that leverages +1/+1 counters can be higher due to its ability to quickly close games by giving evasion to your entire team.
Tracking with other creatures in the same vein, Citadel Castellan stands out. It also carries the renown ability similar to Preening Champion and becomes a persistent threat once it’s renowned. Where Preening Champion excels in independent strength gain, Citadel Castellan fortifies your defensive line, thanks to vigilance. This allows it to attack without tapping, maintaining a solid defense while progressing your board state.
Ultimately, Preening Champion holds its own within the MTG card pool, offering players a straightforward strategy to incrementally increase a single creature’s power, proving to be a straightforward yet potentially impactful piece in any deck aligned with its straightforward beatdown strategy.
Cards similar to Preening Champion by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Preening Champion enhances your grip on the game by allowing for card selection, enabling you to sift through your deck to find the right responses or threats when needed.
Resource Acceleration: Geared towards synergizing with +1/+1 counter strategies, this creature can become a formidable force, indirectly accelerating your resources as it becomes more challenging for opponents to block effectively without loss.
Instant Speed: The adaptability of this card stems from its ability to interact at instant speed, providing a significant tempo swing during combat or at the end of your opponent’s turn, catching them off-guard.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One drawback of Preening Champion is the necessity to discard a card to activate its primary ability. This can place players in a challenging position when they are running low on cards, forcing them to choose between preserving their hand or utilizing the card’s ability.
Specific Mana Cost: Preening Champion comes with a predetermined mana cost that includes white mana. This specific requirement may deter players from including it in multicolored decks or limit its versatility in a format where mana flexibility is crucial.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: When assessing the total investment for Preening Champion, its cumulative mana cost is on the higher side compared to other creatures with similar abilities. This higher cost could make it a less favorable choice for players seeking efficiency in their mana curve.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Preening Champion offers flexibility for a range of deck strategies, seamlessly fitting into aggro builds that capitalize on quick and efficient creatures.
Combo Potential: With the ability to grow stronger with each combat triumph, this card shines in synergies that allow it to attack consistently, fostering combos with cards that provide evasion or pump effects.
Meta-Relevance: As the game’s environment frequently shifts, Preening Champion remains a formidable choice in a landscape that rewards combat-focused strategies, maintaining its impact against numerous popular deck archetypes.
How to beat
Preening Champion presents a strategic puzzle when it hits the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering. With its ability to grow stronger each time it’s targeted by a spell you control, it can quickly become a formidable force. To overcome this growing threat, you’ll want to employ tactics that minimize interaction with it. One effective approach is to use removal spells that don’t target, such as board wipes like “Wrath of God” or “Damnation”. This way, you eliminate the Champion without triggering its ability.
Alternatively, you can use spells that force your opponent to sacrifice creatures, such as “Diabolic Edict” or “Liliana of the Veil,” circumventing the need to target Preening Champion directly. Remember, patience is key – sometimes it’s best to wait until you can handle the Champion without allowing it to become an unstoppable force.
Control strategies involving countering the spells that target Preening Champion in the first place, can also hinder its growth. Cards like “Negate” or “Dissipate” are excellent for keeping the Champion in check. By denying your opponent the opportunity to buff their creature, you maintain the upper hand. Considering these strategies will enable you to stay ahead of your opponent and effectively deal with the challenges posed by Preening Champion.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Preening Champion MTG card by a specific set like March of the Machine, 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 Preening 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
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Preening Champion has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Alchemy | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |