Chandra, the Firebrand MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityMythic
TypeLegendary Planeswalker — Chandra
Loyalty 3

Key Takeaways

  1. Spell copying ability of Chandra offers strategic card advantage and impactful play on the board.
  2. Demands dedicated red mana sources, potentially limiting deck-building flexibility and options.
  3. High mana cost and board impact balance make her a selective, yet potent card choice.

Text of card

+1: Chandra, the Firebrand deals 1 damage to target creature or player. -2: When you cast your next instant or sorcery spell this turn, copy that spell. You may choose new targets for the copy. -6: Chandra, the Firebrand deals 6 damage to each of up to six target creatures and/or players.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Chandra, the Firebrand has an ability to copy spells, effectively doubling your potential to cast additional spells in a turn without sacrificing extra cards from your hand. This increases your ability to maintain card advantage, as you utilize a single card for double the impact.

Resource Acceleration: This planeswalker can also accelerate your resources through her first ability, adding mana to your pool by dealing damage. With the right setup, Chandra can open up your gameplay to more powerful spells earlier than expected, ramping up your strategy’s execution speed.

Instant Speed: Chandra’s abilities don’t directly interact with instant speed plays; however, her second ability allows you to copy an instant spell on your turn, thus getting more value out of instant speed interactions. This synergizes well with control-heavy decks that rely on playing at instant speed.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Chandra, the Firebrand does not have a direct discard requirement, any card that forces you to remove resources from your hand indirectly can impede your momentum, especially when you’re attempting to maintain card advantage over your opponent.

Specific Mana Cost: With a steep requirement of three generic and one red mana to cast, Chandra, the Firebrand demands a commitment to red mana sources, which can strain mana bases in multicolor decks or limit the card’s inclusion to primarily red-centric strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Costing four mana makes Chandra, the Firebrand a mid-game play. This stands in contrast to other planeswalkers or impactful spells at similar mana costs that might provide instant board presence or game-altering effects, potentially offering a stronger turn four impact in certain situations.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Chandra, the Firebrand excels at adapting to various gameplay styles. She can control the board with her direct damage ability, provide card advantage through her -2 ability, or even serve as a win condition with her ultimate.

Combo Potential: Known for her -2 ability to copy instant or sorcery spells, Chandra, the Firebrand can be the linchpin of explosive combos, amplifying the effects of your most powerful spells for game-changing plays.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta that’s heavy on creature-based strategies, Chandra’s ability to ping creatures or players each turn can keep opponents on their toes, making her a pertinent choice for decks looking to maintain pressure and tempo.


How to beat

Chandra, the Firebrand is a nuanced planeswalker card that demands strategic measures to counter effectively. One clear tactic is to prioritize creature removal spells or those that can specifically target planeswalker cards, such as Hero’s Downfall or Ruinous Path. These cards can neutralize Chandra before she accumulates loyalty and creates overwhelming board presence through her ability to copy spells.

Another worthwhile approach is maintaining a swift and aggressive board state. Applying pressure with fast creatures can prevent a player from comfortably setting up Chandra’s abilities. Direct damage spells can also be resourceful, enabling one to bypass potential blockers and directly diminish Chandra’s loyalty count.

Moreover, utilizing counter spells when Chandra is cast can thwart your opponent’s plans before they gain any advantage. Cards such as Negate are essential in your arsenal, especially when dealing with a planeswalker that can manipulate the pace and outcome of the game significantly.

In essence, to overcome Chandra, the Firebrand, swift reactions, direct removal, and anticipating her arrival are key. Adequate preparation and response will keep her fiery influence in check, allowing you to maintain control over the game’s trajectory.


Cards like Chandra, the Firebrand

Chandra, the Firebrand is a Red Planeswalker that can alter the dynamics of spell casting in Magic the Gathering. This card bears resemblance to its other fiery incarnations like Chandra Nalaar. Both can deal direct damage, but the Firebrand variant offers a unique twist—the ability to copy spells. This multifaceted skill sets her apart, though it comes with the price of a higher mana investment compared to the straightforward Nalaar’s immediate impact.

Chandra, Pyromaster is another version with parallels to Chandra, the Firebrand. They share the ability to deal damage to a player or creature, but Pyromaster focuses more on card advantage and clearing the path for attackers. The utility of Chandra, the Firebrand in strategies that emphasize spell-slinging stands out when compared to Pyromaster’s creature-oriented advantages.

Pondering the roles these Planeswalkers can play in one’s deck, Chandra, the Firebrand shows particular strength in a deck filled with instant and sorcery spells, her capability to copy potentially game-winning spells presents a distinct edge, offering creative and flexible strategies for controlling the game’s pace and doubling down on powerful effects.

Chandra Nalaar - MTG Card versions
Chandra, Pyromaster - MTG Card versions
Chandra Nalaar - Lorwyn (LRW)
Chandra, Pyromaster - San Diego Comic-Con 2013 (PSDC)

Cards similar to Chandra, the Firebrand by color, type and mana cost

Zariel, Archduke of Avernus - MTG Card versions
Chandra, Torch of Defiance - MTG Card versions
Chandra, Fire Artisan - MTG Card versions
Jaya, Fiery Negotiator - MTG Card versions
Chandra, Pyromaster - MTG Card versions
Koth of the Hammer - MTG Card versions
Daretti, Scrap Savant - MTG Card versions
Chandra, Gremlin Wrangler - MTG Card versions
Chandra, Novice Pyromancer - MTG Card versions
Sarkhan, Wanderer to Shiv - MTG Card versions
Koth, Fire of Resistance - MTG Card versions
Zariel, Archduke of Avernus - Adventures in the Forgotten Realms (AFR)
Chandra, Torch of Defiance - Commander Masters (CMM)
Chandra, Fire Artisan - Secret Lair Drop (SLD)
Jaya, Fiery Negotiator - Dominaria United Promos (PDMU)
Chandra, Pyromaster - Amonkhet Remastered (AKR)
Koth of the Hammer - Secret Lair Drop (SLD)
Daretti, Scrap Savant - Commander Masters (CMM)
Chandra, Gremlin Wrangler - 2016 Heroes of the Realm (HTR16)
Chandra, Novice Pyromancer - Core Set 2020 (M20)
Sarkhan, Wanderer to Shiv - Jumpstart: Historic Horizons (J21)
Koth, Fire of Resistance - Phyrexia: All Will Be One (ONE)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Chandra, the Firebrand MTG card by a specific set like Magic 2012 and Magic 2013, 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, the Firebrand and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Chandra, the Firebrand Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2011-07-15 and 2012-07-13. Illustrated by D. Alexander Gregory.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12011-07-15Magic 2012M12 1242003normalblackD. Alexander Gregory
22012-07-13Magic 2013M13 1232003normalblackD. Alexander Gregory

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Chandra, the Firebrand has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2011-09-22 Chandra’s second ability creates a delayed triggered ability that will copy the next instant or sorcery spell you cast that turn, regardless of whether that spell has targets.
2011-09-22 If the spell Chandra copies has an X whose value was determined as it was cast (like Consume Spirit does), the copy has the same value of X.
2011-09-22 If the spell Chandra copies is modal (that is, it says “Choose one —” or the like), the copy will have the same mode. You can’t choose a different one.
2011-09-22 The copy will have the same targets as the spell it’s copying unless you choose new ones. You may change any number of the targets, including all of them or none of them. If, for one of the targets, you can’t choose a new legal target, then it remains unchanged (even if the current target is illegal).
2011-09-22 When the delayed trigger resolves, it creates a copy of a spell. You control the copy. That copy is created on the stack, so it’s not “cast.” Abilities that trigger when a player casts a spell won’t trigger. The copy will then resolve like a normal spell, after players get a chance to cast spells and activate abilities.
2011-09-22 When you activate Chandra’s last ability, you choose up to six target creatures and/or players. No damage is divided, and Chandra can’t deal more than 6 damage to any one target. Chandra deals 6 damage to each target that is still legal when the ability resolves.
2011-09-22 You can’t choose to pay any additional costs for the copy. However, effects based on any additional costs that were paid for the original spell are copied as though those same costs were paid for the copy too. For example, if you sacrifice a 3/3 creature to cast Fling after activating Chandra’s second ability, the copy of Fling will also deal 3 damage.

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