Champion of the Perished MTG Card


Champion of the Perished excels in zombie tribal decks, gaining power with every new zombie. Strategically used instant speed abilities can unexpectedly bolster its strength in battle. While it synergizes well in black mana decks, multi-color deck users must plan mana carefully.
Card setsReleased in 8 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Zombie
Power 1
Toughness 1

Text of card

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

He rose from the graf for every cobbler, tanner, and fool who'd been slaughtered in the parish—and they rose and shambled after him.


Cards like Champion of the Perished

Champion of the Perished brings a novel twist to the zombie archetype in MTG. It is reminiscent of Champion of the Parish, a card well-known for its human synergy. Both cards thrive on creatures of a specific type entering the battlefield, growing in strength with each new ally. Yet, whereas Champion of the Parish capitalizes on human creatures, Champion of the Perished harnesses the relentless power of zombie creatures.

Another card that mirrors this growing mechanism is Thalia’s Lieutenant, which not only buffs itself but also strengthens other humans when it or another human comes into play. The main difference lies in the broad impact on the board, with Thalia’s Lieutenant’s board-wide buff contrasting with Champion of the Perished’s individual power boost. Similarly, Metallic Mimic offers a customizable approach, allowing players to choose a creature type to receive the bolstering effect, but it does not grow itself.

In the landscape of creature-type-specific cards in MTG, Champion of the Perished stands out as a strong inclusion for zombie decks, capable of becoming a formidable threat with each creature summoned. This unique focus on a prolific and popular creature type makes it a compelling choice for both casual and competitive players alike.

Champion of the Parish - MTG Card versions
Thalia's Lieutenant - MTG Card versions
Metallic Mimic - MTG Card versions
Champion of the Parish - MTG Card versions
Thalia's Lieutenant - MTG Card versions
Metallic Mimic - MTG Card versions

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

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Will-o'-the-Wisp - MTG Card versions
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Rimebound Dead - MTG Card versions
Plague Beetle - MTG Card versions
Festering Goblin - MTG Card versions
Sleeper Agent - MTG Card versions
Knucklebone Witch - MTG Card versions
Stone-Throwing Devils - MTG Card versions
Will-o'-the-Wisp - MTG Card versions
Vampire Bats - MTG Card versions
Bog Rats - MTG Card versions
Insidious Bookworms - MTG Card versions
Sewer Rats - MTG Card versions
Muck Rats - MTG Card versions
Vebulid - MTG Card versions
Zodiac Rat - MTG Card versions
Urborg Skeleton - MTG Card versions
Carrion Rats - MTG Card versions
Foulmire Knight // Profane Insight - MTG Card versions
Dark Supplicant - MTG Card versions
Bile Urchin - MTG Card versions
Nezumi Shadow-Watcher - MTG Card versions
Rimebound Dead - MTG Card versions
Plague Beetle - MTG Card versions
Festering Goblin - MTG Card versions
Sleeper Agent - MTG Card versions
Knucklebone Witch - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Mono-Black ZombiesMono-Black Zombies ModernZombiesPachanga Trial ACUP Domingo
DecklistDecklist Free formHoliday Night Magic
Sultai MidrangeSultai Midrange StandardSultai MidrangeTraditional Standard Ranked Decklists: March 18, 2024
Rakdos ZombiesRakdos Zombies ModernRakdos Zombies2024 Hunter Burton Memorial Open
ZombiesZombies LegacyEternal Challenge 23
Mono-Black MillMono-Black Mill Legacy1 Etapa - 3 Liga Legacy Jundia
BB StandardTraditional Standard Ranked Decklists: February 5, 2024
Mono-Black AggroMono-Black Aggro Legacy96 / The 96th Legacy at Home
Orzhov MidrangeOrzhov Midrange LegacyEternal Challenge 22

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Champion of the Perished thrives in zombie decks, incrementally growing in power with each undead ally that shambles onto the battlefield. This one-drop creature can become a significant threat, ensuring you have a persistent presence on the board which your opponents can’t ignore.

Resource Acceleration: While not a direct producer of mana or tokens, this card accelerates your board state’s threat level efficiently. By simply playing other zombies, which is a common strategy for black mana decks, you are indirectly amplifying the value of Champion of the Perished without expending extra resources.

Instant Speed: The real strategic depth of Champion of the Perished is unleashed with the instant speed zombie spells or abilities that can be leveraged to surprise an opponent. Increasing its power and toughness unexpectedly during combat or before damage calculation can turn the tide of an entire match in your favor.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Champion of the Perished does not directly require a discard, but as a Zombie tribal card, it often functions in decks with discard mechanics to synergize with other Zombies. This can lead to situations where maintaining card advantage is more challenging, particularly if the deck is not drawing enough cards to replenish the hand.

Specific Mana Cost: This card requires black mana, which is not a drawback in itself, but it does mean that it fits mostly in mono-black or black-centric decks. Players looking to incorporate Champion of the Perished into multi-color decks must carefully manage their mana base to consistently cast it on curve.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Champion of the Perished has a low initial cost of one black mana, its effectiveness is contingent on playing other Zombies. This strategy can be mana-intensive, as you need to deploy additional creatures to power up the Champion. As the game progresses and more mana is available, there might be more impactful cards that could be played at a similar cumulative mana investment.


Reasons to Include Champion of the Perished in Your Collection

Versatility: Champion of the Perished shows great flexibility by slotting neatly into zombie tribal decks and any strategy focusing on creature synergy. Its ability to grow with each zombie entering the battlefield makes it a threat that opponents can’t ignore.

Combo Potential: This card’s innate ability to accrue +1/+1 counters offers excellent combo opportunities with other cards that manipulate or benefit from counters. It works well with proliferate mechanics or as a recipient for additional counters from other effects.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where creature-based strategies are common, Champion of the Perished can become a powerhouse. Its effectiveness increases as it feeds off the momentum of consistent creature play, helping players to assert dominance on the board early in the game.


How to Beat Champion of the Perished

Champion of the Perished is a powerful card that thrives in decks teeming with zombies, gaining a +1/+1 counter each time a zombie enters the battlefield. However, mastering the strategy to combat this card is crucial. Removal spells such as Fatal Push can swiftly dispatch the Champion before it grows out of control, particularly in the early game where the Champion is most vulnerable.

Spot removal isn’t the only answer; enchantments like Rest in Peace can halt the Champion’s growth by preventing zombies from hitting the graveyard and returning to the field. Board wipes like Damnation or Wrath of God can also reset the board, eliminating the Champion and its undead allies in one fell swoop, a tactic especially effective against decks that heavily rely on creature synergy.

Finally, using cards that limit the capacity to cast creature spells, such as Thalia, Guardian of Thraben, can slow down a zombie deck’s momentum, giving you time to stabilize and prepare a counterattack. In essence, timing and the right removal tools are key to keeping Champion of the Perished in check and claiming victory over zombie-infested matches.


BurnMana Recommendations

Dive deeper into the depths of strategy with insights on how to enhance your MTG gameplay using Champion of the Perished. This card serves as a linchpin in any zombie-centric deck, offering a scalable threat with each shambling comrade. Understanding its potential and limitations can be the difference between defeat and a hard-fought victory. Tap into the strategies that enable Champion of the Perished to flourish, and offset its weaknesses to dominate the board. Looking to transform your matches into displays of tactical finesse? Our detailed guides and strategic deep-dives await to escort you through the ranks to MTG glory.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Champion of the Perished MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Magic Online Promos, 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 Perished and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Champion of the Perished Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2021-09-24 and 2022-01-28. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 939682015NormalBlackDaarken
22002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 939642015NormalBlackKekai Kotaki
32021-09-24Innistrad: Midnight Hunt PromosPMID 91p2015NormalBlackKekai Kotaki
42021-09-24Innistrad: Midnight HuntMID 912015NormalBlackKekai Kotaki
52021-09-24Innistrad: Midnight HuntMID 3852015NormalBlackDaarken
62021-09-24Innistrad: Midnight HuntMID 3442015NormalBlackKekai Kotaki
72021-09-24Innistrad: Midnight Hunt PromosPMID 91s2015NormalBlackKekai Kotaki
82022-01-28Innistrad: Double FeatureDBL 912015NormalBlackKekai Kotaki

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Champion of the Perished has restrictions

FormatLegality
StandardLegal
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
FutureLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
BrawlLegal
TimelessLegal