Chandler MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	5
Rarity	Common
Type	Legendary Creature — Human Rogue
Released	1995-10-01
Set symbol
Set name	Homelands
Set code	HML
Power	3
Toughness	3
Number	69
Frame	1993
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Douglas Shuler

Key Takeaways

Chandler excels in artifact-heavy metas, tipping the scales by dismantling opponents’ strategies.
The card requires careful hand management due to its discard activation cost, which may affect its timing.
Despite its mana specificity and sorcery speed, Chandler offers unique combo and control possibilities.

Text of card

o Ro Ro R, oc T: Destroy target artifact creature.

"Never brag about the latest wonder you've created, students. Chandler might be listening." —Reveka, Wizard Savant

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Chandler provides a distinct edge through its ability to systematically dismantle your opponent’s artifact forces, swinging the balance of resources in your favor over the course of the game.

Resource Acceleration: While Chandler itself doesn’t directly create mana or accelerate resources, the removal of key artifacts can slow down your opponent’s resource acceleration, preserving the pace of your strategy.

Instant Speed: Although Chandler operates at sorcery speed, its impact on the board state is lasting. Despite not having the flexibility of an instant, Chandler’s effect can pave the way for your instants and other spells to be more effective without interference from problematic artifacts.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: With the Chandler card, a player must discard a card to activate its primary ability. This can be a setback when your hand is already depleted or if you’re holding onto key cards for your strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: Chandler demands a precise combination of mana to cast: three red. While this makes him a committed inclusion in red-centered decks, it could be a stumbling block in multi-colored or less mana-flexible strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Weighing in at a casting cost of four mana, Chandler’s abilities might feel lackluster compared to other options at this cost point, particularly when considering the speed and efficiency that competitive play demands.

Reasons to Include Chandler in Your Collection

Versatility: Chandler is not just a creature; it’s an engine that can dismantle any deck relying on artifacts. This makes it a strong sideboard card, capable of disrupting your opponent’s plans across multiple formats.

Combo Potential: Used alongside cards that allow you to untap creatures, Chandler can repeatedly destroy artifacts. It can fit into a strategy that seeks to lock out artifact-heavy opponents, creating opportunities for your deck to capitalize on an empty board.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where artifacts are predominant, Chandler’s ability to remove key pieces from the game gives you a significant edge. It’s a tactical choice that can turn the tide in matchups dominated by artifacts.

How to beat

Chandler is an older Magic: The Gathering card that might catch players off guard with its ability to destroy artifacts. To strategize against Chandler effectively, one must be selective about when to play artifact-based strategies. It’s crucial to either hold off on casting valuable artifacts until Chandler is dealt with or have countermeasures ready, such as artifact protection or instant-speed removal spells to eliminate the threat Chandler poses.

Having a robust removal package in your deck can be advantageous. Cards that can exile or prevent Chandler from activating, like Path to Exile or Pithing Needle, can be crucial in tipping the scales in your favor. It’s essential to be aware of the type of match you’re in; keep your artifacts in hand if Chandler is likely to make an appearance on the board. A solid understanding of timing and deck composition helps turn the tables on this artifact-hungry card.

In summary, beating Chandler requires a mix of patience, strategic artifact play, and readiness to prevent or quickly respond to its potentially disruptive ability. By adapting your game plan and saving key spells for the right moment, you can mitigate the impact Chandler has on your artifacts and maintain the upper hand.

Cards like Chandler

Chandler is a unique character card within Magic: The Gathering, known for its ability to destroy artifacts. When it’s placed side by side with similar artifact-removal cards, its distinctions become apparent. Take for example, Gorilla Shaman. Both cards deal with artifacts, yet Gorilla Shaman allows for a more granular and less costly removal with the ability to target artifacts based on their mana cost.

Furthermore, Viashino Heretic is another card that operates in the same realm as Chandler. While Chandler destroys any artifact upon tapping, Viashino Heretic provides an added benefit of damage to the artifact’s controller based on the destroyed artifact’s mana value. This nudges Viashino Heretic ahead in terms of potential game impact.

Considering utility and effectiveness, Oxidda Scrapmelter also enters the conversation. Similar to Chandler in that it deals with artifacts, Oxidda Scrapmelter has the advantage of triggering its effect upon entering the battlefield, providing an immediate impact without the need for tapping.

When evaluating Chandler’s place in the scope of artifact control, it’s clear that while it has its advantages, other cards offer a range of abilities and strategic uses that can cater to different game scenarios in Magic: The Gathering.

Cards similar to Chandler by color, type and mana cost

Balduvian War-Makers - MTG Card versions

Flowstone Salamander - MTG Card versions

Ma Chao, Western Warrior - MTG Card versions

Dwarven Strike Force - MTG Card versions

Volatile Arsonist // Dire-Strain Anarchist - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

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