Chandra, Acolyte of Flame MTG Card


Chandra, Acolyte of Flame - Core Set 2020
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeLegendary Planeswalker — Chandra
Released2019-07-12
Set symbol
Set nameCore Set 2020
Set codeM20
Loyalty 4
Number126
Frame2015
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byAnna Steinbauer

Key Takeaways

  1. Chandra’s abilities enhance card advantage by recasting instants or sorceries, fueling dynamic MTG playstyles.
  2. Resource acceleration through elemental tokens supports aggressive strategies and synergizes with red-centric decks.
  3. Casting flexibility with instant-speed capabilities allows for unpredictable and responsive gameplay in MTG.

Text of card

0: Put a loyalty counter on each red planeswalker you control. 0: Create two 1/1 red Elemental creature tokens. They gain haste. Sacrifice them at the beginning of the next end step. −2: You may cast target instant or sorcery card with converted mana cost 3 or less from your graveyard. If that card would be put into your graveyard this turn, exile it instead.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Chandra, Acolyte of Flame offers multiple avenues to card advantage, not only by returning target instant or sorcery cards with a mana value of 3 or less from your graveyard to your hand but also through fostering an environment ripe for repeatable casting each turn.

Resource Acceleration: This card accelerates resources by creating two 1/1 red Elemental creature tokens with haste that can be utilized right away. This isn’t just about quick attacks; it’s about ramping up presence on the board and triggering synergies that can escalate your position in the game.

Instant Speed: With an ability that allows you to cast spells as though they had flash, Chandra, Acolyte of Flame augments your strategy by enabling instant-speed interactions. This allows for a dynamic play style, keeping opponents second-guessing your next move and optimizing your plays in response to ever-changing game states.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Playing Chandra, Acolyte of Flame requires strategic hand management as her abilities don’t help in maintaining card advantage. Not having a card draw or a way to replenish your hand can leave you at a disadvantage if you’re forced to discard valuable pieces from your hand without a means of recovery.

Specific Mana Cost: Chandra, Acolyte of Flame’s casting cost includes two red mana symbols, which necessitates a solid red mana base. This can be restrictive for some multicolored decks that might not always have the red mana sources readily available to cast her efficiently.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana, Chandra can be considered costly when looking at her immediate board impact. Especially in formats where speed is crucial, devoting your entire third turn to cast her might not be as tempo-efficient compared to other options available in the three-mana slot.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Chandra, Acolyte of Flame serves multiple roles within decks that prioritize instants and sorceries. Its ability to grant additional uses of these card types each turn makes it a flexible addition to various Magic the Gathering strategies.

Combo Potential: With Chandra, you can jump-start your graveyard spells, maximizing their potential. This planeswalker is particularly adept at setting up potent combinations with cards that benefit from frequent casting or recasting, amplifying both aggressive and intricate game plans.

Meta-Relevance: Given its low mana cost and quick impact on the board state, Chandra, Acolyte of Flame aligns well with fast-paced metagames. It’s an asset in red decks aiming to maintain pressure and a threat against slower, controlling opponents.


How to Beat Chandra, Acolyte of Flame

Chandra, Acolyte of Flame presents a unique challenge with her ability to accelerate not only sorcery and instant plays but also her potential to quickly amass a small army of elementals. Understanding her strengths is key to developing an effective strategy to overcome this Planeswalker card. One efficient way to counter Chandra, Acolyte of Flame is to utilize removal spells that can target multiple creatures or Planeswalkers at once, such as Flame Sweep or Cry of the Carnarium. These spells can clear the elementals that Chandra produces while simultaneously reducing her loyalty.

Moreover, as Chandra’s -2 ability allows for the recasting of instant and sorcery spells with mana costs of 3 or less from the graveyard, cards that remove graveyard content like Scavenging Ooze or Tormod’s Crypt can disrupt this advantage she brings to the table. Lastly, direct damage spells like Lightning Strike can check Chandra’s loyalty efficiently. With proper planning and deck building, you can ensure that Chandra, Acolyte of Flame doesn’t tip the game in your opponent’s favor.


BurnMana Recommendations

With Chandra, Acolyte of Flame, your MTG deck gains a powerhouse that is both multifaceted and meta-adaptive. Her ability to recycle spells and catalyze elemental token generation makes her a formidable force in the red deck arsenal. Whether you’re optimizing your strategy, seeking out synergistic cards, or simply looking to maintain an edge in fast-paced matches, Chandra’s inclusion can elevate your gameplay. For players keen on exploring varied tactical avenues and ensuring their collection remains robust against the evolving game landscape, understanding and utilizing Chandra’s potential is paramount. Dive deeper with us, and let’s turn the heat up in your next MTG challenge.


Cards like Chandra, Acolyte of Flame

Chandra, Acolyte of Flame is a unique planeswalker card that offers versatility and strategic depth in Magic: The Gathering gameplay. Its ability to put counters on red loyalty planeswalkers bears similarity to the proliferate mechanic found on cards like Flux Channeler. However, Chandra, Acolyte of Flame stands out with its capacity to create two 1/1 elemental creature tokens, providing immediate board presence which Flux Channeler does not.

Looking at Krenko, Tin Street Kingpin, another card that excels at creating tokens, we notice a difference in approach. Krenko requires combat to generate tokens, whereas Chandra does so unconditionally on your turn. There’s also Young Pyromancer, which creates tokens through the casting of instant or sorcery spells, showcasing a synergy with Chandra’s -2 ability that allows you to replay instants or sorceries from your graveyard, further increasing your tactical options.

Each of these cards caters to a different style of play, yet Chandra, Acolyte of Flame aligns well for those seeking to expand their board, support other planeswalkers, and capitalize on casting from the graveyard. These multi-faceted advantages make Chandra, Acolyte of Flame a compelling choice for deck builders and players alike.

Flux Channeler - MTG Card versions
Krenko, Tin Street Kingpin - MTG Card versions
Young Pyromancer - MTG Card versions
Flux Channeler - War of the Spark (WAR)
Krenko, Tin Street Kingpin - War of the Spark (WAR)
Young Pyromancer - Magic 2014 (M14)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Chandra, Acolyte of Flame MTG card by a specific set like Core Set 2020, 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 Chandra, Acolyte of Flame and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Chandra, Acolyte of Flame has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
CommanderLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2019-07-12 Chandra’s first ability will put a counter on herself as well as any other red planeswalkers you control. This doesn’t cause any other planeswalkers’ loyalty abilities to be activated.
2019-07-12 If a card in your graveyard has in its mana cost, X is considered to be 0 while you target it with Chandra’s last ability; however, once you begin to cast it, you choose a value for X. If this causes the mana value to become greater than 3, you can still cast the spell.
2019-07-12 If you wish to cast the target card, you must cast it while Chandra’s last ability is resolving. You can’t cast it later in the turn.
2019-07-12 You must pay the costs for the spell you wish to cast with Chandra’s last ability. If that spell has any alternative costs, you may pay those.

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