Chieftain en-Dal MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Human Knight
Released	2000-02-14
Set symbol
Set name	Nemesis
Set code	NEM
Power	2
Toughness	2
Number	4
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Dany Orizio

Key Takeaways

Chieftain en-Dal can decisively impact combat by buffing attacking creatures, gaining tactical advantage.
Demands discarding to activate; precise mana cost and higher casting price can limit deck inclusion.
Grants unblockable attacks, synergizing well with direct damage and evasion-focused deck strategies.

Text of card

Whenever Chieftain en-Dal attacks, attacking creatures gain first strike until end of turn.

The clearest commands are practical examples.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Chieftain en-Dal offers a tactical edge with its ability to empower other creatures. When it attacks, all creatures you control get +1/+1 until end of turn, potentially turning the tide of battle and providing an advantage over your opponent.

Resource Acceleration: Although this card doesn’t directly produce additional mana or tokens, its effect on the battlefield can accelerate your victory. By boosting your creatures’ stats, it enables a faster and more efficient path to deplete your opponent’s life total.

Instant Speed: The Chieftain’s ability isn’t an instant, but it allows any of your creatures to survive through combat or trade up with higher power and toughness. This provides a semblance of flexibility akin to instant speed effects, influencing combat decisions significantly during your turn.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Chieftain en-Dal requires you to discard a card to enable its ability. This is a significant trade-off in game situations where maintaining a full grip of options is crucial to your strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: Casting this card demands a precise mana arrangement, including both white and colorless mana. This stipulation can sometimes restrict the card’s integration into multi-colored decks or those that have a looser mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a requirement of three mana including two white, its cost is somewhat elevated, especially given its lower toughness. This can affect its viability when compared to other cards with similar battlefield impact but lower mana requisites.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Chieftain en-Dal offers a unique dynamic to any deck highlighting the importance of fast-paced aggro strategies. His ability to grant creatures shadow until end of turn allows for unblockable attacks, making it a fit in decks that capitalize on direct damage and tactical evasion.

Combo Potential: This card synergizes well with effects that benefit from creatures dealing combat damage to a player, such as card draw or life loss abilities. Incorporating Chieftain en-Dal can unlock new combo avenues and elevate the effectiveness of existing ones.

Meta-Relevance: Given that creature-based strategies frequently populate the meta, having a card that can reliably bypass defenders is invaluable. Chieftain en-Dal’s impact on a game can adjust to the shifts in the competitive environment, reinforcing its place in a well-rounded collection.

How to beat

Chieftain en-Dal presents an interesting tactical challenge on the battlefield. As a card renowned for its ability to grant unblockable status to a cohort of creatures, overcoming this strategy requires careful planning. Its strength is reminiscent of cards like Whispersilk Cloak, which also render creatures difficult to block, but Chieftain en-Dal has the unique aspect of selectively targeting creatures for evasion each turn.

To outmaneuver Chieftain en-Dal, consider employing removal spells that bypass the traditional combat phase. Cards such as Path to Exile or Doom Blade allow you to directly address the problematic creature without having to engage in battle. Another avenue to explore is the use of board wipes, like Wrath of God or Damnation, which can reset the board entirely, negating the advantage provided by Chieftain en-Dal’s ability.

Ultimately, when facing Chieftain en-Dal, the key is to disrupt its synergy with other creatures. By effectively managing your removal resources and maintaining a clear board, the Chieftain’s influence can be diminished, ensuring your strategic positioning in the game remains strong.

Cards like Chieftain en-Dal

Chieftain en-Dal is a noteworthy figure in the pantheon of soldier tribal leaders in MTG. Its ability to grant soldiers the potential to sneak past enemy lines by being unblockable mirrors the effects found in cards like Frontline Strategist. While Frontline Strategist also provides a way to protect your soldiers, it doesn’t share the unblockable aspect that Chieftain en-Dal boasts, highlighting the chieftain’s unique offensive edge.

When exploring parallels, Loyal Sentry is another card that comes to mind. It offers a different approach to battlefield manipulation by destroying any creature it blocks. Though invaluable, the defensive slant sets it apart from Chieftain en-Dal’s proactive assault strategy. There’s also Precinct Captain, rewarding aggression with the ability to produce soldier tokens, adding to your army unlike the nimble hit-and-run tactics enabled by Chieftain en-Dal.

Ultimately, among warrior enablers in MTG, Chieftain en-Dal shines for its niche role in soldier tribal decks, empowering your forces with evasion to directly threaten your opponent’s life points. While there are other notable cards enhancing soldier strategies, the chieftain’s particular brand of leadership through unblockability stands out distinctly.

Frontline Strategist - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Chieftain en-Dal by color, type and mana cost

Pianna, Nomad Captain - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Chieftain en-Dal MTG card by a specific set like Nemesis, 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 Chieftain en-Dal and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Chieftain en-Dal has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Restricted
Oathbreaker	Legal
Premodern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal

Rules and information

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