Chancellor of the Forge MTG Card


Chancellor of the Forge - New Phyrexia
Mana cost
Converted mana cost7
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Phyrexian Giant
Released2011-05-13
Set symbol
Set nameNew Phyrexia
Set codeNPH
Power 5
Toughness 5
Number81
Frame2003
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byChippy

Key Takeaways

  1. Chancellor of the Forge excels in token creation, boosting your creature count without depleting your hand.
  2. Generates an early advantage or a substantial force later, fitting various gameplay stages and strategies.
  3. Can be resource-heavy and less flexible, making it a card tailored for specific deck builds.

Text of card

You may reveal this card from your opening hand. If you do, at the beginning of the first upkeep, put a 1/1 red Goblin creature token with haste onto the battlefield. When Chancellor of the Forge enters the battlefield, put X 1/1 red Goblin creature tokens with haste onto the battlefield, where X is the number of creatures you control.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Chancellor of the Forge shines by creating 1/1 red Goblin creature tokens when it enters the battlefield, equal to the number of creatures you control. This ability is ideal for adding multiple threats to the board without depleting your hand, enhancing your card advantage.

Resource Acceleration: Although not directly linked to mana acceleration, the tokens generated by this powerful card can be used strategically with other cards that utilize creatures for benefits, effectively speeding up your resource accumulation and board presence.

Instant Speed: While this card does not operate at instant speed, its unique ability to be revealed from your opening hand to put a 1/1 token onto the battlefield before the game begins allows you to start with additional resources, subtly changing the pace of the match in your favor.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Chancellor of the Forge doesn’t directly require you to discard a card, it does necessitate a strategic hand setup to make the most of its ability, which can lead to card disadvantage in certain game scenarios.

Specific Mana Cost: Chancellor of the Forge demands a heavy red mana investment, with a casting cost of five red and two colorless mana, making it less flexible for multicolor decks or those with a less reliable mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a total converted mana cost of seven, Chancellor of the Forge might enter play too late in a game where earlier threats or board presence are vital. Other creatures or spells could be played sooner with a more immediate impact on the game state.


Reasons to Include Chancellor of the Forge in Your Collection

Versatility: Chancellor of the Forge offers a unique flexibility seldom found in red cards. It can kickstart your game by giving you an early Goblin token or create a massive army once cast from your hand, making it an excellent choice for token-based strategies as well as red aggro or ramp decks.

Combo Potential: This card is a combo enabler par excellence. It synergizes with cards that benefit from creature etbs or when you have a high creature count, and it works exceptionally well in conjunction with sacrifice mechanics, doubling effects, or anything that appreciates an influx of creatures on the battlefield.

Meta-Relevance: Depending on the pace and style of your playgroup or tournament scene, Chancellor of the Forge can be a heavy hitter. If token strategies are thriving or if there’s room to punish slower decks, this card could be a significant addition to your arsenal, tipping the scales in your favor.


How to Beat Chancellor of the Forge

Chancellor of the Forge offers MTG players a unique beatdown opportunity by creating a 1/1 red Goblin creature token with haste for each creature you control as it enters the battlefield. The key to overpowering this card is to control the game early and limit the number of creatures your opponent has in play. Board wipes like “Wrath of God” or spot removal such as “Path to Exile” are highly effective at keeping the Chancellor’s impact to a minimum.

Additionally, its formidable 5/5 body and haste, when played on a later turn, can be mitigated with defensive measures. Cards that prevent creatures from attacking or nullify abilities, like “Ghostly Prison” or “Pithing Needle,” can turn the tide against Chancellor of the Forge. Ensnaring your opponent’s strategy by controlling the board state will ensure the Chancellor’s tokens don’t overrun you.

Ultimately, respect for the Chancellor’s potential burst onto the battlefield is necessary, but with a thoughtful approach and well-timed removal or control elements, this powerful card can be rendered less of a threat to your game plan. Keeping your opponent’s creature count low and preparing for its late-game appearance is the strategy for triumphing over Chancellor of the Forge.


BurnMana Recommendations

Chancellor of the Forge presents a fascinating option for MTG enthusiasts, blending the thrill of quick token generation with the potency of late-game crowd control. The early goblin token can set the pace, while a swarm can dominate the board in the latter stages. If you’re looking to fortify your deck with a card that offers both early game potential and a significant mid-to-late game presence, this chancellor commands attention. Enhance your gameplay and strategic depth by considering how this powerful creature fits within your deck themes and strategies. Discover more about optimizing your MTG experience and integrating Chancellor of the Forge into your collection by joining our community.


Cards like Chancellor of the Forge

Chancellor of the Forge is a standout creature card in Magic: The Gathering, reminiscent of other powerful card counterparts. One such parallel can be drawn with Myr Battlesphere, which also brings a number of tokens into play on its arrival. While Chancellor of the Forge offers a 1/1 red Goblin creature token for each creature you control, Myr Battlesphere creates four 1/1 colorless Myr artifact creature tokens upon casting. Although both cards provide a substantial increase in board presence, the Chancellor has the added advantage of potentially entering play at the beginning of the game, giving an early head start.

Dragonmaster Outcast is another similar card worth mentioning. While it lacks the initial impact of Chancellor of the Forge, it more than makes up for this with the ability to create a 5/5 red Dragon creature token with flying at the beginning of each upkeep, provided you control six or more lands. The long-term value and aerial threat the Outcast provides can sometimes eclipse the immediate yet static token boost from the Chancellor.

Evaluating the strategic versatility and immediate impact of Chancellor of the Forge, it holds a notable position among creature cards in Magic: The Gathering that focus on multiple token generation, offering early game potential and a commanding board presence.

Myr Battlesphere - MTG Card versions
Dragonmaster Outcast - MTG Card versions
Myr Battlesphere - MTG Card versions
Dragonmaster Outcast - MTG Card versions

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Velican Dragon - MTG Card versions
Crazed Firecat - MTG Card versions
Yidaro, Wandering Monster - MTG Card versions
Butcher Orgg - MTG Card versions
Goblin Dynamo - MTG Card versions
Ashen Monstrosity - MTG Card versions
Rimescale Dragon - MTG Card versions
Boldwyr Intimidator - MTG Card versions
Shivan Hellkite - MTG Card versions
Hamletback Goliath - MTG Card versions
Knollspine Dragon - MTG Card versions
Karplusan Giant - MTG Card versions
Ridge Rannet - MTG Card versions
Ancient Hellkite - MTG Card versions
Tyrant of Discord - MTG Card versions
Minotaur Aggressor - MTG Card versions
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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Chancellor of the Forge MTG card by a specific set like New Phyrexia, 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 Chancellor of the Forge and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Chancellor of the Forge has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2011-06-01 The number of creature tokens you put onto the battlefield with the last ability is determined when the ability resolves. If Chancellor of the Forge is still on the battlefield at that time, it will be counted.
2021-03-19 A player’s “opening hand” is the hand of cards the player has after all players have taken mulligans. If players have any cards in hand that allow actions to be taken with them from a player’s opening hand, the starting player takes all such actions first in any order, followed by each other player in turn order. Then the first turn begins.

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