Dread Charge MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Rare
Type	Sorcery
Released	1997-05-01
Set symbol
Set name	Portal
Set code	POR
Number	88
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Ted Naifeh

Key Takeaways

Provides card advantage by refilling the battlefield without depleting your hand.
Increases resource efficiency with its potential for repeatable creature returns.
Offers flexible timing with instant speed, enabling surprise tactics and dynamic combat.

Text of card

This turn, your black creatures can be intercepted only by other black creatures.

"As equal were their souls, so equal was their fate." —John Dryden, "Ode to Mrs. Anne Killigrew"

Card Pros

Card Advantage: When discussing the impacts of Dread Charge in gameplay, card advantage cannot be overlooked. The card offers the potential to bring creatures back from the graveyard to the field, effectively replenishing your battlefield presence and maintaining pressure on your opponent without depleting your hand.

Resource Acceleration: Resource acceleration is key in any Magic the Gathering match, and Dread Charge contributes to this by providing a repeatable mechanism for returning creatures to play. This persistent threat means resources are wielded more efficiently, often leading to a more robust board state which can be pivotal in the later stages of a game.

Instant Speed: The utility of Dread Charge is further enhanced by its instant speed. This not only allows players to respond to an opponent’s actions during their turn but also presents surprise block opportunities and unexpected combat tricks. The versatility added by instant speed can swing the momentum of a game, creating dynamic shifts that could lead to victory.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Dread Charge necessitates you to discard a card, which can backfire by depleting your hand, especially in the critical late stages of the game.

Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a precise mana arrangement to cast, challenging players to have the right sources available or potentially stranding the card in hand.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The mana investment for Dread Charge is on the higher side, which could be a setback as you might miss out on deploying more impactful spells or creatures in the same turn.

Reasons to Include Dread Charge in Your Collection

Versatility: Dread Charge is a flexible card that adapts well to various deck builds. It’s beneficial for strategies needing graveyard manipulation or requiring recurring threats.

Combo Potential: This card showcases considerable synergy when combined with abilities that leverage discarded or cycled cards, ramping up the strategic plays you can execute during a game.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where games tend to run longer, having a persistent threat like Dread Charge can tip the scales in your favor, making it a card worth considering for your arsenal.

How to Beat the Dread Charge Card

Dread Charge introduces an intricate dynamic to combat strategies in Magic: The Gathering. This card allows players to give a creature the elusive feature of fear until the end of turn, making it an asset when breaking through an opponent’s defenses. However, there are clever ways to mitigate the advantage Dread Charge provides. First and foremost, having creatures with artifact or black colors on the board renders the fear tactic ineffective, since such creatures can block those with fear. Moreover, employing instant speed removal spells when a Dread Charge is activated disrupts an opponent’s equation for an unblockable attack.

Another strategy is to use cards that prevent targeting. Dread Charge requires the selection of a creature, and by having a setup that neutralizes targeting abilities, the charge itself gets deflected. Playing smart with your creature’s abilities can also be vital. Cards that have reach or can be flashed in as blockers when needed also offer valuable defense against fear-enabled creatures. Counter spells also come in handy by negating the Dread Charge before it can be applied. Ultimately, the key to beat Dread Charge lies in preparedness and flexibility within your defensive tactics to handle surprise offensive maneuvers.

Cards like Dread Charge

Dread Charge carves its niche in Magic: The Gathering as a potent offensive spell. It’s often compared to the likes of Gruesome Encore, which also brings creatures back from the graveyard for a surprise attack. While Gruesome Encore offers a single-target resurrect, Dread Charge can bring back any number of creatures, providing a characteristic that could turn the tide of battle. Yet, it’s important to note the difference in mana cost, with Dread Charge demanding a heftier investment.

Likewise, we can look at the card Zombify. It stands out with its ability to return a creature to the battlefield directly. Though lacking the breadth of Dread Charge’s multiple creature return, Zombify does place the creature back permanently. Additionally, there’s the semblance to Rally the Ancestors, a similar revival spell, yet it brings back creatures only until your next turn. Its lower mana cost could be advantageous, but the transient nature of the summoned forces might not always align with a player’s strategy as perfectly as Dread Charge’s lasting effect.

Weighing these options, Dread Charge provides a unique combination of sheer numbers and permanence, establishing its place within the realm of revival spells in Magic: The Gathering for players looking to make a game-changing move.

Cards similar to Dread Charge by color, type and mana cost

Terisiare's Devastation - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Dread Charge MTG card by a specific set like Portal, 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 Dread Charge and other MTG cards: