Chandra's Triumph MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Instant
Released	2019-05-03
Set symbol
Set name	War of the Spark
Set code	WAR
Number	121
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Kieran Yanner

Key Takeaways

Offers card advantage by acting as removal without costing an extra draw.
Can accelerate gameplay by clearing the field for attacks.
Instant speed provides flexibility to disrupt opponents’ plays effectively.

Text of card

Chandra's Triumph deals 3 damage to target creature or planeswalker an opponent controls. Chandra's Triumph deals 5 damage instead if you control a Chandra planeswalker.

Her triumph came not from achieving her ideal self, but from rejecting the idea of perfection.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Chandra’s Triumph shines by dealing damage directly to a target, potentially eliminating a threat on the board. This action can be equivalent to drawing into a removal spell, offering you the ability to trim down your opponent’s resources while maintaining your own arsenal.

Resource Acceleration: It might not generate mana or Treasure tokens, but Chandra’s Triumph can be a catalyst for faster gameplay. By rapidly dispatching an opponent’s creature, it can accelerate your path to victory, paving the way for your own creatures to attack unobstructed.

Instant Speed: The instant speed nature of this spell is a significant advantage, providing the flexibility to react to your opponent’s moves during their turn. Whether it’s removing a key creature in the midst of combat or simply before your opponent can reap value from it, instant speed spells like Chandra’s Triumph offer strategic depth to any game.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Chandra’s Triumph necessitates you have a Chandra planeswalker on the battlefield or in your hand to unlock its potential. This restriction can be cumbersome, particularly in games where you haven’t drawn Chandra or if she’s been removed from play, limiting the functionality of the card.

Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a dedicated mana investment, specifically red. For players running multi-color decks, the {1}{R} cost can sometimes be a stumbling block, especially early in the game or under a tight mana curve.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While the damage output of Chandra’s Triumph is notable, at a mana value of two, it competes with a plethora of burn spells that may offer a lower cost or additional versatility. In some situations, the mana could be better spent on spells that advance board presence or offer more significant strategic advantages.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Chandra’s Triumph is a spell that offers a powerful punch in red-centric decks. As a targeted damage spell, it’s incredibly useful for removing pesky creatures on the opposing side of the battlefield or even dealing direct damage to planeswalkers, making it a fit for various aggressive and control strategies.

Combo Potential: This card blends effectively with decks that feature Chandra planeswalkers, as it deals additional damage if you control one. This creates synergy with other Chandra-themed cards and can be part of devastating combos in Red Walkers or other Chandra-focused archetypes.

Meta-Relevance: Chandra’s Triumph shows its strength particularly in a meta where creature-based strategies prevail. Its ability to take out significant threats for a low mana cost gives it a solid standing in many game situations and keeps your opponents on their toes.

How to Beat Chandra’s Triumph

Chandra’s Triumph holds its ground as a powerful removal spell in Magic: The Gathering, often serving as a staple in decks that feature the fiery Planeswalker Chandra. It delivers an impressive five damage to a target creature or Planeswalker an opponent controls if you control a Chandra Planeswalker, making it a card to reckon with on the battlefield. The instant speed also grants a surprise element, allowing for quick reactions during your opponent’s turn or after they’ve declared attackers.

Defending against Chandra’s Triumph can be strategic. First, consider the importance of baiting out the spell. Presenting a less critical creature as a target might compel an opponent to use their Triumph prematurely. Also, employing spells or abilities that grant hexproof or indestructible to your key creatures can undercut its effectiveness. Cards with the instant type offering these protections, such as Blossoming Defense or Heroic Intervention, not only save your creatures from destruction but can turn the tide of a match in your favor.

It’s also beneficial to assess the likelihood of your opponent controlling a Chandra Planeswalker, as this highly influences the potency of Chandra’s Triumph. You can preemptively counter the threat by keeping pressure on Planeswalkers or by using direct removal spells on them to keep Chandra’s Triumph at its base damage and manage its impact on your game plan.

Cards like Chandra's Triumph

Chandra’s Triumph has carved its niche in Magic: The Gathering as a pivotal red damage-dealing spell. It echoes the functionality of other burn spells, such as Lightning Strike, which also delivers a swift 3 damage to any target. Yet, Chandra’s Triumph distinguishes itself when a Chandra planeswalker is in play—amping up the damage to 5, giving red decks an even greater edge. Juxtaposed with Lightning Strike, the potential for heightened damage is significant, although it’s conditional.

Comparable also is Jaya’s Greeting, which deals 3 damage as well but with the added scry 1—a little foresight can indeed transform the tide of battle. The spell is a sorcery, unlike the instant nature of Chandra’s Triumph, which offers players more flexibility in reaction timing. Lava Coil is another spell that deals with creatures, removing a creature from the game with 4 damage; however, it lacks Chandra’s Triumph’s reach to players and planeswalkers, demonstrating the broader application of Chandra’s spell in diverse game scenarios.

Assessing the landscape of red instant spells, Chandra’s Triumph boasts a unique condition that rewards players for their loyalty to Chandra planeswalkers, thus holding a solid standing in the burn spell hierarchy in Magic: The Gathering for its potential to inflict a critical blow in the heat of battle.

Cards similar to Chandra's Triumph by color, type and mana cost

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Chandra's Triumph MTG card by a specific set like War of the Spark, 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's Triumph and other MTG cards:

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Chandra's Triumph has restrictions

Format	Legality
Historicbrawl	Legal
Commander	Legal
Historic	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Explorer	Legal
Gladiator	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Timeless	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2019-05-03	Controlling more than one planeswalker of the appropriate type won’t have any more of a benefit than just controlling one.
2019-05-03	Whether you control an appropriate planeswalker is checked only as the spell resolves.