Vigorous Charge MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	1
Rarity	Common
Type	Instant
Abilities	Kicker
Released	2000-10-02
Set symbol
Set name	Invasion
Set code	INV
Number	222
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Scott M. Fischer

Key Takeaways

Vigorous Charge aids in gaining tactical advantage, offering both creature enhancement and cautionary play.
On the flip side, its usage requires precision, as it demands a card discard and specific mana types.
Regardless of its drawbacks, it remains a versatile card, befitting aggressive, synergy-driven decks.

Text of card

Kicker o W (You may pay an additional o W as you play this spell.) Target creature gains trample until end of turn. Whenever that creature deals combat damage this turn, if you paid the kicker cost, you gain life equal to that damage.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Equipping a Vigorous Charge to your creature can really turn the tide of a match. Not only does it power up your creature on attack, but if played well, it ensures that you dominate the battlefield. By using this card, you increment your resource potential while maintaining tactical superiority over your opponent.

Resource Acceleration: Vigorous Charge has the potential to significantly accelerate your resources. Its relatively low mana cost compared to its impact on the game means you gain a significant edge, ensuring you are always one step ahead. The boost in resources gives you the elbow room to cast more spells, ultimately establishing a strong board presence.

Instant Speed: The instant speed of Vigorous Charge allows for dynamic gameplay, offering the flexibility to respond to your opponent’s moves. This adaptability is crucial for maintaining moment-to-moment strategic advantage. It’s the kind of card that keeps your opponent on their toes, guessing whether to commit more resources to a potential trap.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Vigorous Charge requires the discarding of a card as part of its cost, which may not always be beneficial, especially if you’re low on hand resources or the card in question has potential future value.

Specific Mana Cost: This card’s casting cost includes green mana, which could restrict its usage predominantly to green or multicolored decks thereby reducing its flexibility for various deck builds.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a cost that might be considered steep for its effect, Vigorous Charge competes with other options in the same mana range that could potentially offer more impactful benefits or game-changing abilities.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Vigorous Charge offers an instant speed boost to creatures, making it a flexible choice for a variety of decks that aim to swing the momentum of combat in their favor.

Combo Potential: This card shines in setups that capitalize on life gain or +1/+1 counters. Its combo potential is significant, especially in synergistic builds that reward you for buffing creatures.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where aggressive or creature-centric strategies are prevalent, Vigorous Charge can serve as an inexpensive, yet powerful, tool to outpace the opposition and solidify your board presence.

How to beat

Vigorous Charge in Magic: The Gathering represents an effective tool for players looking to boost their creatures temporarily to swing in for significant combat damage. This instant card has the potential to turn the tide of a game by providing a creature with a +1/+1 boost and lifelink until the end of turn at a low mana cost, with the added option of a kicker for a lasting effect.

Defeating a strategy that includes Vigorous Charge involves clever timing and disruption. Instant-speed removal spells can be particularly effective. By removing the target creature in response to the Vigorous Charge, you negate the spell’s effect altogether, conserving your life total and the state of the board. Counterspells can be another tactical choice, provided you reserve the mana to cast them when your opponent plays Vigorous Charge.

Ultimately, identifying the key moment when your opponent is likely to commit to a Vigorous Charge play, thereby expending critical resources, can allow you to turn their aggression into an opportunity for you to gain the upper hand with timely removal or negation, pivoting the momentum of the game in your favor.

Cards like Vigorous Charge

Vigorous Charge is a unique entry in the array of combat trick cards within Magic: The Gathering. It bears resemblance to cards like Giant Growth, which also provides a quick boost in power and toughness to creatures. Yet, Vigorous Charge offers something extra with its entwine cost – the choice between just giving a creature the pump or gaining the life link benefit as well.

In the same realm, we come across Titan’s Strength. This spell not only increases a creature’s power by a significant margin but also allows the player to scry, improving their next draw. Although it doesn’t grant life link, the scrying capability is valuable for strategic planning. A close comparison is also seen with Gather Courage, which can potentially be cast for free with its convoke mechanic, giving more flexibility during play, even though it doesn’t provide the life gain option that Vigorous Charge has.

Ultimately, Vigorous Charge distinguishes itself in battlefield engagements, blending both enhancement and sustainability. Assessing the versatility and benefits of similar cards underscores Vigorous Charge’s potential in MTG decks, especially in those looking to maintain momentum and pressure through creature combat.

Cards similar to Vigorous Charge by color, type and mana cost

Strength of the Coalition - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Vigorous Charge MTG card by a specific set like Invasion, 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 Vigorous Charge and other MTG cards: