Chaos Lord MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	7
Rarity	Rare
Type	Creature — Human
Abilities	First strike
Released	1995-06-03
Set symbol
Set name	Ice Age
Set code	ICE
Power	7
Toughness	7
Number	178
Frame	1993
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Brian Snõddy

Key Takeaways

Chaos Lord can disrupt opponents and provide card advantage, crucial for late-game dominance.
Its instant speed offers flexibility, making it unpredictable and a formidable force during gameplay.
High mana cost and specificity may limit deck compatibility, requiring strategy adjustments.

Text of card

First strike Chaos Lord can attack the first turn it comes into play on a side, except the turn it first comes into play. During your upkeep, count the number of permanents. If that number is even, target opponent gains control of Chaos Lord.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Chaos Lord card offers a dynamic edge by potentially disrupting your opponent’s strategy while simultaneously padding your hand with the right resources. This can lead to a substantial advantage as the game progresses.

Resource Acceleration: If the Chaos Lord allows for an extra source of mana through its abilities, this can be a game-changer. Accelerated resources mean more spells cast sooner, giving you a head start on dominating the battlefield.

Instant Speed: Should Chaos Lord offer abilities that can be activated at instant speed, this adds a layer of flexibility and surprise, enabling you to adapt to the game’s state and react to your opponents’ actions efficiently and unpredictably.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Chaos Lord card demands you bid farewell to other cards in your hand, a sacrifice that can be tough when your options are already waning. This card further complicates your strategy as you’re forced to weigh the benefits of playing it against the potential of losing key cards at a critical time.

Specific Mana Cost: The Chaos Lord isn’t shy about its affinity for a particular type of mana, calling for an exact combination to summon it to the battlefield. This can make it a challenging fit in decks that juggle multiple colors, potentially stranding it useless in your hand when you can’t muster the needed mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Power comes at a price, and for the Chaos Lord, that price is a steep climb on the mana scale. In a game where speed can be of the essence, its mana demands could slow your tempo, giving opponents the chance to seize control while you gather the necessary resources to play it.

Reasons to Include Chaos Lord in Your Collection

Versatility: Chaos Lord offers a unique flexibility in game play, capable of adapting to a multitude of strategies. Its ability to fit into various deck archetypes, from commander to casual play, makes it a valued addition for players looking to experiment and diversify their lineup.

Combo Potential: With the right setup, Chaos Lord can become a pivotal piece in powerful combos. Its interactions with other cards that benefit from large, impactful creatures or those that manipulate chance and probability can lead to game-winning plays, making it a tantalizing choice for enthusiasts of intricate MTG combos.

Meta-Relevance: In the ever-shifting landscape of MTG, having cards that can adapt to the meta is crucial. Chaos Lord’s potential to influence the game regardless of the prevalent deck types or strategies makes it an asset for those aiming to stay competitive and respond to current trends in the playing environment.

How to beat

Confronting a Chaos Lord on the battlefield in MTG demands strategic finesse and an understanding of the game’s mechanics. This formidable adversary can wreak havoc on planned tactics, essentially shifting the tide with its chaotic abilities. Topping your priority list should be neutralizing the chaotic swings by employing cards that can counter or bypass its effects. Ensuring a deck is equipped with board control spells like “Wrath of God” to clear the field or “Counterspell” to prevent the Chaos Lord from entering play in the first place is crucial.

Additionally, diverting to a more aggressive strategy can be effective. Applying pressure early on and sustaining a swift pace restricts the opportunities for the Chaos Lord to manifest its potential. Deploying creatures with “Haste” or utilizing burn spells to whittle down your opponent’s life total directly can sidestep the influence of Chaos Lord entirely. Your deck should be tailored to address such powerhouses with a mix of speed and control, thereby ensuring that the tumultuous presence of a Chaos Lord doesn’t dictate the flow of the game.

Ultimately, the key to triumphing over a Chaos Lord lies in anticipation and a solid game plan that adapts to the fluid nature of MTG. By preparing for the worst and staying ahead of your opponent’s strategies, you stand a better chance at subduing the chaotic influence this card exerts on the game.

Cards like Chaos Lord

Chaos Lord is an intriguing entry into the realm of red creatures in MTG. It shares its chaotic nature with other cards like Norin the Wary, which similarly thrives on randomness and unpredictability. Where Chaos Lord shows its unique flair is in its potential to flip into a game-ending threat during any upkeep, contrasting Norin’s avoidance tactic that bounces him in and out of the battlefield.

Looking at creatures like Mijae Djinn, we notice another parallel in the realm of chance-based gameplay, with the Djinn’s coin flip to determine its attacking recipient. However, Chaos Lord bypasses the need for a coin flip, offering a more direct assault on your opponents. Comparatively, Scrambleverse embodies the concept of upheaval, redistributing permanents in a way that can mirror Chaos Lord’s potential to dramatically alter the board state. Despite this, Chaos Lord stands out as it remains a commanding presence, capable of taking control of an entire game with its mere existence.

Ultimately, Chaos Lord distinguishes itself in MTG’s pantheon of chaotic cards by combining the thrill of unpredictability with formidable power, further enriching the strategies of players who embrace the unpredictable nature of the game.

Cards similar to Chaos Lord by color, type and mana cost

Yidaro, Wandering Monster - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Chaos Lord MTG card by a specific set like Ice Age, 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 Chaos Lord and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Chaos Lord 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 Chaos Lord card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date	Text
2004-10-04	This creature’s changing of controllers is a new effect each upkeep so it will take precedence over any other control effects. This means that using another control-changing effect won’t guarantee that you keep it.