Champion of the Parish MTG Card


Boosts power with each human played, snowballing into a formidable force on the MTG battlefield. Demands specific mana and synergies, which may limit versatility across diverse MTG decks. Essential in human-centric MTG decks, amplifying both aggressive and midrange strategies.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Human Soldier
Power 1
Toughness 1

Text of card

Whenever another Human enters the battlefield under your control, put a +1/+1 counter on Champion of the Parish.

"I stand for every cobbler, tanner, and fool in this town—and they stand for me."


Cards like Champion of the Parish

Champion of the Parish is a standout creature card revered by MTG enthusiasts for its scalable power within human tribal decks. Its closest relative is undoubtedly Thalia’s Lieutenant, another powerhouse that grows whenever a human enters the battlefield. While the Champion receives boosts solely from your actions, Thalia’s Lieutenant offers a more generous distribution of +1/+1 counters to your entire squad of humans, not just itself.

Another card that echoes the growth potential of Champion of the Parish is Pelt Collector. This creature flourishes alongside other creatures that outmatch it in power, gaining +1/+1 counters and eventually trample. Unlike Champion of the Parish, Pelt Collector isn’t tribal-specific, catering to a broader range of strategies and creature types. Then there’s Experiment One, embodying the evolve mechanic and thriving in a setup with a variety of creatures entering the battlefield under its power threshold. However, it misses the target by not being a constant human ally enhancer like our Champion.

At its core, Champion of the Parish excels in MTG as a one-drop that promises immense value in human-centered playstyles, establishing it as a formidable pick in its niche.

Thalia's Lieutenant - MTG Card versions
Pelt Collector - MTG Card versions
Experiment One - MTG Card versions
Thalia's Lieutenant - MTG Card versions
Pelt Collector - MTG Card versions
Experiment One - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Champion of the Parish by color, type and mana cost

Savannah Lions - MTG Card versions
Benalish Hero - MTG Card versions
Icatian Infantry - MTG Card versions
Icatian Scout - MTG Card versions
Icatian Javelineers - MTG Card versions
Kjeldoran Warrior - MTG Card versions
Trade Caravan - MTG Card versions
Vigilant Martyr - MTG Card versions
Honor Guard - MTG Card versions
Volunteer Militia - MTG Card versions
Nomads en-Kor - MTG Card versions
Soul Warden - MTG Card versions
Resistance Fighter - MTG Card versions
Honorable Scout - MTG Card versions
Devoted Caretaker - MTG Card versions
Faerie Guidemother // Gift of the Fae - MTG Card versions
Kor Duelist - MTG Card versions
Yoshimaru, Ever Faithful - MTG Card versions
Mother of Runes - MTG Card versions
Daru Mender - MTG Card versions
Savannah Lions - MTG Card versions
Benalish Hero - MTG Card versions
Icatian Infantry - MTG Card versions
Icatian Scout - MTG Card versions
Icatian Javelineers - MTG Card versions
Kjeldoran Warrior - MTG Card versions
Trade Caravan - MTG Card versions
Vigilant Martyr - MTG Card versions
Honor Guard - MTG Card versions
Volunteer Militia - MTG Card versions
Nomads en-Kor - MTG Card versions
Soul Warden - MTG Card versions
Resistance Fighter - MTG Card versions
Honorable Scout - MTG Card versions
Devoted Caretaker - MTG Card versions
Faerie Guidemother // Gift of the Fae - MTG Card versions
Kor Duelist - MTG Card versions
Yoshimaru, Ever Faithful - MTG Card versions
Mother of Runes - MTG Card versions
Daru Mender - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Champion of the Parish. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
HumansHumans ModernHumansModern Preliminary 2024-03-28 (1)
WBWB LegacyLegacy League 2024-04-20
Five-Color HumansFive-Color Humans Free formd00mwake's Pure Modern 5
Five-color HumansFive-color Humans ModernAsmo FoodGrand Open Qualifier Prague 2024
Esper HumansEsper Humans ModernHumansGrand Open Qualifier Prague 2024
DecklistDecklist Free formCanadian Highlander for Duals - Underground Sea Guaranteed - Proxies Allowed

Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Champion of the Parish doesn’t directly provide card draw, its strength comes from synergizing with other creatures on the battlefield, effectively increasing your board presence and giving you an edge. Each human that enters the battlefield under your control boosts Champion of the Parish, making it a powerhouse that can turn the tide of any game.

Resource Acceleration: Champion of the Parish costs a single white mana, a minimal investment for a creature that has the potential to become a massive threat. This efficient cost allows for a quicker deployment of other cards in hand, keeping mana available for essential spells while the Champion grows.

Instant Speed: While Champion of the Parish itself is not an instant, it benefits greatly from any humans entering the battlefield at instant speed. Flash creatures that are humans add surprise value, accelerating the Champion’s growth unexpectedly during an opponent’s turn and potentially altering combat outcomes in your favor.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Engaging in a synergy-centric game often plunges you into resource management dilemmas. Champion of the Parish can tug at those strings by thriving on a constant flow of human creatures. Should your hand deplete, maximizing this card’s potential becomes a steep climb, as it hinges on you playing other human cards to unlock its growth capability.

Specific Mana Cost: As a card that demands a white mana for casting, Champion of the Parish fits snugly in decks with a human-centric archetype. While this makes it a pillar in such builds, its inclusion elsewhere is constricted by its color identity, potentially sidelining it in the diverse landscape of MTG.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For a one-drop creature, its initial stat line stares back with modesty. Its real prowess, however, is banked on its ability to swell with each fellow human summoned. Yet in the realm of MTG, where swift tempo can make or break strategies, reliance on building up a single creature may lag when pitted against decks that rapidly establish dominating boards or excel in removal tactics.


Reasons to Include Champion of the Parish in Your Collection

Versatility: Champion of the Parish thrives in decks built around humans. As a one-drop creature, it’s easily playable from the game’s outset and scales in power with every human ally that enters the battlefield, making it adaptable to both aggressive and midrange human-centric strategies.

Combo Potential: This card’s growth mechanic synergizes seamlessly with human-based combo strategies. Every time you play another human, Champion of the Parish gets stronger. Pair it with cards that create human tokens, and you can rapidly escalate its strength, overwhelming opponents with a formidable force early in the game.

Meta-Relevance: Given its strong synergy with other human creatures and its ability to become a quickly escalating threat, Champion of the Parish is a compelling choice in any meta where human decks are prevalent. Its low casting cost and significant upside ensure it occupies a central role in the strategic makeup of tribal human builds.


How to beat

Champion of the Parish is a standout card in Magic: The Gathering, particularly in decks that capitalize on Human creature synergies. As a one-drop creature that grows with every subsequent Human you play, it becomes a formidable force early in the game. Counteracting its strength requires strategic plays and a good understanding of control mechanics.

Using removal spells efficiently is key to handling Champion of the Parish. Since it can grow quickly, it is best to remove it as soon as it hits the battlefield. Spells like Fatal Push, Path to Exile, or even a simple Shock can take it out before it becomes too large to manage. In addition, board wipes such as Wrath of God or Supreme Verdict can reset the board, removing not only the Champion but also other creatures that may be boosting its power.

Furthermore, employing counterspells to prevent it from entering the battlefield in the first place can be a solid tactic. Thoughtseize or other disruption spells can also effectively remove the Champion from your opponent’s hand, disrupting their human tribal strategy. A well-timed removal or counterplay can shift the momentum in your favor and keep this tenacious creature in check.


BurnMana Recommendations

Dive deeper into the synergistic playstyles that Champion of the Parish empowers in MTG. Perfecting the delicate balance of playing humans and maintaining resources is a craft worth mastering. Discover tactics to maximize Champion’s potential and techniques to counteract it effectively. Whether you are looking to enhance your collection with this potent one-drop or seeking ways to overcome it in battle, knowledge is your prime ally. Ready for a more profound exploration of the strategic nuances Champion of the Parish brings to your MTG experience? Join us and gain the insights needed to turn your next match into a demonstration of your prowess.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Champion of the Parish MTG card by a specific set like Innistrad and Duel Decks: Blessed vs. Cursed, 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 Champion of the Parish and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Champion of the Parish Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2011-09-30 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Svetlin Velinov.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12011-09-30InnistradISD 62003NormalBlackSvetlin Velinov
22016-02-26Duel Decks: Blessed vs. CursedDDQ 42015NormalBlackSvetlin Velinov
32019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 532015NormalBlackSvetlin Velinov
42020-09-26The ListPLST DDQ-42015NormalBlackSvetlin Velinov

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Champion of the Parish has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PennyLegal