Talruum Champion MTG Card

Talruum Champion can significantly tip the scales in combat, demanding answers from opponents. Demands specific red mana and may require discarding cards, which can affect game strategy. Offers great synergy in aggressive red-based decks with its combo potential and board control.
Talruum Champion - Visions
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Minotaur
Abilities First strike
Released1997-02-03
Set symbol
Set nameVisions
Set codeVIS
Power 3
Toughness 3
Number97
Frame1997
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byPete Venters

Text of card

First strike Whenever Talruum Champion blocks or is blocked by any creature, that creature loses first strike until end of turn.

In the Talruum language, there is no word for "surprised."

Cards like Talruum Champion

Talruum Champion holds its ground in the arena of creature cards within Magic: The Gathering. It shares semblances with the likes of Balduvian Warlord, allowing players the utility of redirecting damage to another creature. However, Talruum Champion presents a unique edge with its power boost ability every time it blocks or becomes blocked, setting it apart from the Warlord’s static power and toughness.

Examining other creatures in this space, Raging Goblin comes to mind. While Raging Goblin boasts the capability of attacking as soon as it enters the battlefield, unlike the Champion, it lacks the staying power and versatility during combat. Comparatively, the Talruum Champion is more about creating strategic advantage over multiple turns. Looking at Viashino Warrior, another card of note, we find it shares the same mana cost and creature type with the Champion but lacks any additional effects, making Talruum Champion more appealing for its dynamic combat role.

All things considered, Talruum Champion takes its place among red creature cards offering both immediate and long-lasting combat benefits, especially in games where blocking strategies are key. Its comparative balancing of cost, power, and special abilities make it a characterful choice for MTG players keen on combat-centric decks.

Balduvian Warlord - MTG Card versions
Raging Goblin - MTG Card versions
Viashino Warrior - MTG Card versions
Balduvian Warlord - MTG Card versions
Raging Goblin - MTG Card versions
Viashino Warrior - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Talruum Champion can be a formidable source of card advantage in the right deck. Its prowess in combat may force the opponent to deal with it, potentially opening up avenues for card draws or advantageous trades.

Resource Acceleration: While Talruum Champion itself doesn’t directly accelerate resources, its presence on the battlefield can demand answers, diverting resources away from your opponent’s own development. Additionally, this may synergize with cards that capitalize on having strong creatures in play.

Instant Speed: Although Talruum Champion is not an instant, the readiness to deploy it at the optimal moment is key. Timing its entrance after sweeps can maximize its impact, taking full advantage of the surprise factor and the shift in momentum it can cause.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Talruum Champion comes with a condition that may disrupt your game plan. In order to play it, you might need to let go of valuable cards from your hand, which can set you back, especially in the crucial mid-to-late game stages where each card counts.

Specific Mana Cost: This card requires a dedicated mana setup to cast, demanding not just any mana but specifically red. This can be restrictive as it pigeonholes the card into mono-red or two-color decks that can reliably produce the necessary red mana, thus limiting its versatility in deck building.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Talruum Champion requires a considerable amount of mana to get on the field which could dampen its competitiveness. In environments where speed is critical, the mana cost could be a significant drawback, as there might be other creatures or spells that could offer similar impact on the game for less mana investment.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Talruum Champion offers a unique blend of offensive capabilities and defensive utility, making it a strong contender in decks that aim to control the board while still being able to press an attack.

Combo Potential: This card is ideal for synergistic strategies centered around red’s prowess for dealing damage and leveraging combat tricks. It can be a crucial part of combos that capitalize on modifying attack power or assigning multiple instances of damage.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta that favors aggressive playstyles, Talruum Champion can serve as a formidable threat that commands an answer. Its ability to influence the board state makes it suitable for matchups where tempo and immediate impact are crucial.

How to Beat

Talruum Champion brings a unique challenge to players in the MTG universe. This formidable card boasts an array of abilities that can give opponents a tough time on the battlefield. With power and tactics gravitating around this creature, it is essential to understand its strengths and weaknesses to overcome it effectively.

The primary strategy to counter Talruum Champion is by leveraging removal spells that bypass its protections, as this card often comes equipped with several. Timely use of mass removal spells can circumvent individual protections and clear it off the board. It’s also advised to control the flow of combat by employing cards that can alter or dictate the terms of battling creatures, allowing you to handle Talruum Champion before it becomes a major threat. Additionally, countering it upon cast or utilizing bounce effects to return it to the owner’s hand can be an effective way to pause or derail your opponents’ strategy, giving you the upper hand.

Remember, true mastery in MTG comes from knowing when and how to deal with powerful cards. Strategize thoughtfully and Talruum Champion will be less of a champion and more of an expected hurdle that you’re well prepared to clear.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Talruum Champion MTG card by a specific set like Visions, 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 Talruum Champion and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Talruum Champion has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal