Changeling Berserker MTG Card


Changeling Berserker - Lorwyn
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Shapeshifter
Abilities Champion,Changeling,Haste
Released2007-10-12
Set symbol
Set nameLorwyn
Set codeLRW
Power 5
Toughness 3
Number160
Frame2003
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byWarren Mahy

Key Takeaways

  1. Changeling Berserker champions versatility, fitting seamlessly into diverse tribal strategies.
  2. Provides immediate board impact with haste, enabling aggressive and tempo-driven plays.
  3. Demands careful management due to its specific mana cost and champion trade-off.

Text of card

Changeling (This card is every creature type at all times.) Haste Champion a creature (When this comes into play, sacrifice it unless you remove another creature you control from the game. When this leaves play, that card returns to play.)


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Changeling Berserker excels in scenarios where board presence is crucial. Its ability to provide a strong body on the field while also allowing you to protect a valuable creature from removal through its champion mechanic can give you a significant advantage. This championing ability essentially hides another creature “under” the Berserker, ready to re-enter play if the Berserker leaves the battlefield.

Resource Acceleration: The haste attribute of Changeling Berserker makes it a prime choice for aggressive strategies. Being able to immediately impact the battlefield upon entering provides a speed advantage over slower decks, putting pressure on your opponent prematurely. It also synergizes well with abilities that trigger when a creature attacks or deals combat damage, further enhancing your resource acceleration.

Instant Speed: Although Changeling Berserker doesn’t operate at instant speed itself, its tribal nature means it benefits from other cards with flash that affect shapeshifters or all creature types. This enables dynamic play patterns where you can surprise your opponent by boosting the Berserker or by saving it from targeted spells with instant speed tribal spells, tricking opponents and protecting your board at unexpected times.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One of the drawbacks of using Changeling Berserker is the champion ability, which necessitates the removal of another creature you control from the game. This can put you at a disadvantage, especially if you’re sacrificing a valuable creature or if your board presence is already limited.

Specific Mana Cost: Changeling Berserker’s mana cost is both specific and demanding, requiring four mana including two red symbols. This can pose a challenge in multicolored decks or when your mana resources aren’t fully developed, ultimately restricting deck-building options and reducing overall flexibility.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of four mana, including two that must be red, Changeling Berserker’s investment might feel steep compared to other four-mana creatures or spells that could provide a higher immediate impact or longer-term value on the game state.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Changeling Berserker’s shapeshifting nature allows it to easily integrate into tribal decks, complementing various creature types while bringing in a powerful haste ability.

Combo Potential: With its champion mechanic, this card offers unique interactions, setting the stage for enter-the-battlefield triggers or temporary removal of a creature for later strategic plays.

Meta-Relevance: As the MTG environment fluctuates, a card like Changeling Berserker maintains its relevance by adapting to different tribes and synergies, making it a savvy choice for players looking to stay competitive.


How to beat

The Changeling Berserker card brings a unique dimension to MTG with its changeling ability, making it potentially every creature type at once. This versatility can synergize with numerous tribal decks, amplifying its threat level. However, its strength can be mitigated. To effectively counter the Berserker, solid removal spells are essential. Cards like Path to Exile or Doom Blade bypass the Berserker’s Champion mechanic, which requires you to exile another creature you control until it leaves the battlefield. Moreover, since the Berserker has haste, it’s critical to have these spells ready to go.

It’s also viable to take advantage of the fact that the Berserker has to return the Championed creature back to play upon leaving the battlefield. If timed well, board-wiping spells that remove multiple creatures can turn this into a disadvantage for your opponent by removing their board presence. Instant speed interaction, therefore, becomes a premium when facing a deck that features the Changeling Berserker. Stable board control and the judicious use of instants can help ensure this adaptable adversary doesn’t overrun the game.


BurnMana Recommendations

Exploring the depth of Magic the Gathering is a quest for both experienced and new players alike, and Changeling Berserker is a fine example of a card with layers waiting to unleash. Its champion ability couples protection with reentry advantages, while its haste makes it a force of immediate presence. Understanding both its strengths and weaknesses is key. For those looking to bolster a tribal-focused deck or capitalize on enter-the-battlefield triggers, incorporating Changeling Berserker could be a strategic asset. Elevate your deck-building skills and prep your collection for competitive play. Uncover more insights and tactics to fortify your MTG prowess with us.


Cards like Changeling Berserker

Changeling Berserker offers a unique blend of aggression and versatility for Magic: The Gathering decks that favor creature types. This card stands out with its changeling ability, allowing it to adopt any creature type, a feature reminiscent of creatures like Taurean Mauler or Amoeboid Changeling. However, the Changeling Berserker also possesses haste and the Champion mechanic, requiring you to sacrifice a creature temporarily upon entry, differing it from the aforementioned cards.

When compared with other Champion creatures such as Thundercloud Shaman, Changeling Berserker vaults ahead with its immediate combat potential. In contrast, the Shaman, although a potent option for Giant tribal decks, enters the battlefield without haste. On a similar note, Cairn Wanderer also shares the changeling trait but lacks the immediate board impact due to not having haste, which can be crucial in more tempo-focused or aggressive strategies.

Overall, in the realm of creatures with versatile creature type abilities and those that influence the battlefield upon entry, Changeling Berserker carves out its niche. It combines disruptive tempo plays with a flexible tribal synergy, making it an exceptional choice for decks that value speed and adaptability.

Taurean Mauler - MTG Card versions
Amoeboid Changeling - MTG Card versions
Thundercloud Shaman - MTG Card versions
Cairn Wanderer - MTG Card versions
Taurean Mauler - MTG Card versions
Amoeboid Changeling - MTG Card versions
Thundercloud Shaman - MTG Card versions
Cairn Wanderer - MTG Card versions

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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Changeling Berserker MTG card by a specific set like Lorwyn, 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 Changeling Berserker and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Changeling Berserker has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

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