Chainflinger MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Beast
Abilities	Threshold
Released	2001-10-01
Set symbol
Set name	Odyssey
Set code	ODY
Power	2
Toughness	2
Number	181
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Scott M. Fischer

Key Takeaways

Chainflinger allows for flexible ping tactics, dealing damage to creatures or players at instant speed.
Cons include a specific mana cost and the discard requirement, restricting its use in some decks.
Its threshold ability and combo potential can make Chainflinger a game-changer in the right MTG deck.

Text of card

o1o R, oc T: Chainflinger deals 1 damage to target creature or player. Threshold o R, oc T: Chainflinger deals 2 damage to target creature or player. (Play this ability only if seven or more cards are in your graveyard.)

Card Pros

Card Advantage: When in play, Chainflinger provides repeated opportunities for ping damage, allowing resourceful players to weaken opponents’ creatures or chip away at their life total directly. This translates to gaining incremental advantage over time without additional card investment.

Resource Acceleration: Although not directly a tool for resource acceleration, Chainflinger synergizes well with spells and abilities that untap creatures or grant additional red mana, effectively magnifying the card’s impact and allowing for multiple activations in a single turn cycle.

Instant Speed: Chainflinger’s activated ability can be used at instant speed, offering the tactical flexibility to disrupt your opponent’s strategy during their turn or at the end of their turn, keeping your options open while maintaining mana efficiency.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Chainflinger necessitates the discard of a card to activate its ability, which can be a setback when your hand is already depleted of valuable options and every card counts.

Specific Mana Cost: With a mana cost that requires both red and generic mana, Chainflinger can be restrictive and isn’t always an easy fit in multicolored decks that might struggle to consistently produce the necessary red mana for casting and activation.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: At four mana, Chainflinger’s initial casting cost is relatively steep, considering that players might be expecting more impactful creatures or effects for such an investment, leaving it sometimes eclipsed by more effective cards at a lower mana value.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Chainflinger can be a flexible addition to decks that thrive on dealing direct damage or utilizing ping tactics. Its ability to deal damage to any target lets it serve multiple roles, from controlling the board to finishing off an opponent.

Combo Potential: This card’s activated abilities work well with effects that untap creatures, potentially allowing multiple uses in a single turn. It can synergize with spell-copying effects or damage amplifiers, setting the stage for explosive turns.

Meta-Relevance: Considering the constantly shifting metagame, Chainflinger could rise in usefulness if small creature strategies become prevalent. It provides an immediate answer to utility creatures and plays a significant tactical role in matchups where incremental damage is key to victory.

How to Beat Chainflinger

Chainflinger is an endearing creature card often employed in MTG for its versatility and ability to ping targets. This card stands out because it can deal direct damage to any target through its activated ability, which can be an annoyance over the course of a match. That being said, Chainflinger’s potential can be mitigated with strategic play and card choices.

Cards like Lightning Bolt provide a swift and cost-effective solution to remove Chainflinger from the field. Similarly, instant-speed removal spells are key for interrupting Chainflinger’s activation, ensuring it doesn’t get many chances to use its ability. One must also consider enchantment-based removals like Pacifism to neutralize the threat without having to destroy it, saving crucial removal spells for more formidable creatures.

Ultimately, keeping Chainflinger off the battlefield is a practical approach. Counterspells play a pivotal role in any strategy devised to conquer Chainflinger. Cards that prevent abilities from being activated, such as Pithing Needle, also serve as strong preemptive measures against it. In essence, swift removal, strategic counters, and ability disruption are sound tactics in outmaneuvering Chainflinger and maintaining control of the game.

Understanding Chainflinger

Chainflinger is an intriguing blend of pinging capability and versatility in the realm of MTG. Versatile in its use, Chainflinger provides players with the ability to deal direct damage to any target, making it a useful tool for both offensive strategies and board control. While there are several cards with similar abilities, Chainflinger’s distinction lies in its threshold mechanic, which enhances its abilities once a certain condition in the graveyard is met.

Cards like Chainflinger

When comparison shopping in the MTG world, Chainflinger often gets weighed against other direct damage cards. A classic example would be the likes of Prodigal Pyromancer which offers consistent ping damage every turn. Unlike Chainflinger, Prodigal Pyromancer maintains the same damage output regardless of graveyard status. Equally notable is Cunning Sparkmage, who shares the tap-to-damage function. However, without the threshold boost that Chainflinger possesses, these alternatives don’t scale their damage in the later stages of the game.

Examining cards with the threshold feature, we bump into Cabal Torturer, offering control players a way to dwindle opponent resources albeit focused on creatures. Chainflinger’s flexibility in targeting any object is a strategic advantage over such narrowly focused cards. Lastly, we can’t overlook Firebrand Archer, whose approach triggers damage through casting spells rather than tapping, setting a different pace and attack vector in a game.

Whether you’re mixing it in your burn deck or controlling the board state, Chainflinger certainly carves its niche in MTG due to its ability to adapt and potentially deal greater damage as the game progresses.

Cards similar to Chainflinger by color, type and mana cost

Krark-Clan Engineers - MTG Card versions

Shimatsu the Bloodcloaked - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Chainflinger MTG card by a specific set like Odyssey, 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 Chainflinger and other MTG cards: