Chief of the Scale MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Human Warrior |
| Released | 2014-09-26 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Khans of Tarkir |
| Set code | KTK |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 3 |
| Number | 170 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | David Palumbo |
Key Takeaways
- Chief of the Scale indirectly leads to card advantage by making warrior creatures more robust and resilient.
- It requires specific mana and may necessitate a trade-off in hand management, impacting deck flexibility.
- This card’s toughness boost for warriors is pivotal for defense against aggressive red and black strategies.
Text of card
Other Warrior creatures you control get +0/+1.
"We are the shield unbroken. If we fall today, we will die well, and our trees will bear our names in honor."
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Though Chief of the Scale doesn’t directly allow you to draw cards, its tribal synergies can lead to indirect card advantage. By boosting the resilience of other Warrior creatures on the battlefield, you protect the investment you’ve made in your board presence, effectively getting more value out of the cards already played.
Resource Acceleration: Chief of the Scale itself might not accelerate your mana resources, but the stability it provides to your board allows for a more efficient deployment of further threats without the immediate worry of losing key creatures. Maintaining a strong board presence often equates to preserving the resources needed to advance your game plan.
Instant Speed: While the Chief operates at sorcery speed, it encourages a strategic shift towards valuing instant speed interactions in the rest of your deck. Knowing that your Warriors have an inherent toughness boost allows you to confidently wait until the most opportune moment to cast your instants, safe in the knowledge that your creatures are more likely to survive to fight another day.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Chief of the Scale doesn’t require a discard itself, managing a deck that includes this card often involves strategic hand management. Including such cards might necessitate discarding others to maintain a balanced battlefield presence, indirectly creating a disadvantage if you’re short on cards.
Specific Mana Cost: Chief of the Scale comes with a colored mana cost that is specific to the Abzan identity – one white and one black mana. This requirement restricts its flexibility, making it a less viable option in decks that can’t easily produce both colors of mana.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: For a 2/3 creature, the total cost of two mana, one of which must be white and another black, might be considered steep against other creatures in the same mana range. As experienced players know, efficiency is key, and there are alternatives that may provide more impact for the same, or less, mana investment.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Chief of the Scale stands out due to its ability to bolster your deck’s defenses, making it a solid inclusion in any Warrior tribal or black/white deck. Its capacity to give other Warriors you control a toughness boost ensures that your creatures can better withstand damage and survive longer in combat, enabling more strategic plays.
Combo Potential: This versatile card shines when paired with other Warrior synergy cards. Its static toughness-boosting ability can be leveraged to activate combos with cards that benefit from sturdy creatures. With the right setup, Chief of the Scale can become a linchpin of an aggressive Warrior-centric deck that takes advantage of enhanced resilience.
Meta-Relevance: In an environment that’s heavy on aggressive red or black deck strategies, Chief of the Scale provides a much-needed defensive edge. As a two-cost creature, it’s easily deployable early in the game, helping to quickly establish a board presence that can stave off early onslaughts and provide a defensive backbone for your matches.
How to beat
Chief of the Scale presents a unique challenge in MTG with its ability to bolster the toughness of other Warrior creatures. This ability can quickly create a formidable defensive line that’s tough to crack. Overcoming this obstacle requires a strategic approach focused on neutralizing the Chief’s influence on the battlefield.
Direct removal spells are a reliable method to handle the Chief of the Scale. Cards like Murder or Doom Blade can swiftly remove it from play, negating its defensive enhancements to other creatures. Another effective tactic is to use board wipes such as Wrath of God or Damnation, which reset the board entirely, leaving no trace of the Chief’s benefits.
Additionally, utilizing cards that prevent creature abilities from activating, like Hushbringer or Cursed Totem, can be extremely effective. These cards ensure that the Chief’s ability doesn’t affect the game state, making your opponent’s Warriors just as vulnerable as any other creatures. By implementing these strategies, you can dismantle your opponent’s defenses and turn the tide of battle in your favor against the tenacious Chief of the Scale.
Cards like Chief of the Scale
Chief of the Scale holds its ground in Magic: The Gathering as a strong warrior tribal support card. It’s often juxtaposed with Chief of the Edge, a card from the same Khans of Tarkir set that offers a bonus to the offensive capabilities of warrior creatures, increasing their power. Chief of the Scale, conversely, grants toughness to your warriors, enhancing their resilience on the battlefield.
Abzan Battle Priest is another card that echoes the tribal theme. While not a direct strengthening force like the Chief, the priest imbues your warriors with lifelink, just as Chief of the Scale bolsters their defense. In the same vein, Arashin Foremost doubles down on offense by giving double strike to a warrior upon entering the fray. That said, none provide the across-the-board toughness boost that the Chief of the Scale does.
Assessing the role of Chief of the Scale amongst its counterparts, it’s evident that this card is a keystone for defensive strategies in warrior decks. With its ability to turn warriors into formidable blockers, it’s a dependable choice for players aiming to fortify their ranks.
Cards similar to Chief of the Scale by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Chief of the Scale MTG card by a specific set like Khans of Tarkir, 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 Chief of the Scale and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Chief of the Scale has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
