Chillbringer MTG Card


Chillbringer offers crucial tempo control by freezing opponent’s creatures, coupled with the benefit of flying. Its tap effect is akin to flash, setting back opponents strategically during pivotal turns. Despite a sizable mana cost, Chillbringer’s impact on the field can justify its inclusion in blue decks.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Elemental
Abilities Flying
Power 3
Toughness 3

Text of card

Flying When Chillbringer enters the battlefield, tap target creature an opponent controls. It doesn't untap during its controller's next untap step.

If you can see your breath, it's too late to run.


Cards like Chillbringer

Chillbringer is an intriguing creature card in MTG that offers a blend of board control and a flying body. It’s akin to Frost Lynx, which also has the ability to tap a target creature. However, Chillbringer, with its flying attribute, has the upper hand in aerial combat. Frost Lynx lacks this, offering ground control instead. Like Chillbringer, Exclusion Mage allows you to manage the battlefield by returning a target creature to its owner’s hand, yet it doesn’t present the persistent airborne threat that Chillbringer does.

Comparatively, there’s also Watertrap Weaver, sharing the common ground of tapping another creature. Although Watertrap Weaver locks down opponents only until their next untap step, Chillbringer offers a slightly greater tactical advantage by keeping the tapped creature from untapping during the next untap phase. Additionally, the presence of Chillbringer sets the stage for potential combo plays, leveraging its flying presence and ability to clear the skies for direct attacks.

Evaluating against other similar options in the game, Chillbringer’s unique mix of delaying enemy forces and aerial supremacy makes it a considerable choice within the roster of blue creatures, especially in limited formats where tempo plays are vital.

Frost Lynx - MTG Card versions
Exclusion Mage - MTG Card versions
Watertrap Weaver - MTG Card versions
Frost Lynx - MTG Card versions
Exclusion Mage - MTG Card versions
Watertrap Weaver - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Chillbringer’s ability to lock down an opponent’s creature upon entering the battlefield can help you maintain a strategic edge. This effect, paired with the card’s inherent flying ability, ensures you’re not just playing a creature, but also subtly shifting the tide of control in your favor.

Resource Acceleration: While Chillbringer itself doesn’t directly provide mana, its tempo play can give you the upper hand. Slowing down an opponent can be just as beneficial as speeding yourself up. It ensures that your resources go further as your opponent struggles to regain their footing.

Instant Speed: While Chillbringer is a creature and not an instant, the tactical advantage its enters-the-battlefield effect brings can be as disruptive as an instant speed interaction. It’s as if you’re playing a flash creature, setting back your opponent’s plans at a crucial moment, potentially during their combat phase, to swing the game in your favor.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Although Chillbringer does not have an explicit discard requirement, it’s vital to consider your hand when playing cards with tap-down effects. Ensuring you have enough cards to maintain momentum after committing five mana is essential, and sometimes playing Chillbringer can lead to a smaller hand without immediate payoff.

Specific Mana Cost: Chillbringer’s cost necessitates both general and blue mana, which can be restrictive. Decks that don’t run blue or have a reliable mana base may struggle to cast this card efficiently, thereby reducing its applicability across various deck archetypes.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of five mana, Chillbringer comes at a significant investment for its offering. While it can be impactful, particularly by freezing an opponent’s creature, other cards with lower mana requirements might provide similar control effects, leaving more resources available for additional plays within a turn.


Reasons to Include Chillbringer in Your Collection

Versatility: Chillbringer stands as a solid choice in a range of blue-focused decks. With its ability to fly over defenders, it serves as both an offensive and defensive asset, suitable for Tempo and Control builds alike.

Combo Potential: This card’s entry effect of tapping another target creature not only disrupts opponents but also synergizes with cards that capitalize on tap mechanics. This opens up opportunities for creating powerful combos that can lock down the opponent’s board, paving the way for a smooth victory.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where aggressive creatures dominate the board, Chillbringer acts as a timely disruptor. By temporarily removing a threat, it can shift the tide of the game and keep you in a competitive position, making it a valuable addition to your arsenal during such meta periods.


How to Beat

Chillbringer is a creature card in Magic: The Gathering that can tap down an opponent’s creature and keep it from untapping during the next untap step. While this effect can disrupt plans and tempo, overcoming Chillbringer relies on flexibility and strategic removal. Utilizing instant-speed removal spells that can target Chillbringer before its ability triggers, such as Fatal Push or Lightning Bolt, can swiftly negate its entrance effect.

One should also consider keeping mana available for such spells when playing against blue decks that may include Chillbringer. Running board wipes like Wrath of God or Damnation can also clear out the Chillbringer along with any other threats on the board. Finally, having an array of creatures with varied abilities, including those with haste or flash, allows you to adapt your strategy on the fly and diminish the impact of Chillbringer’s temporary freeze on your game plan.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Chillbringer MTG card by a specific set like Ravnica Allegiance and Mystery Booster, 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 Chillbringer and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Chillbringer Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2019-01-25 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Eytan Zana.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12019-01-25Ravnica AllegianceRNA 332015NormalBlackEytan Zana
22019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 3142015NormalBlackEytan Zana
32020-09-26The ListPLST RNA-332015NormalBlackEytan Zana

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Chillbringer has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Chillbringer card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2019-01-25 Chillbringer’s ability can target a creature that’s already tapped. That creature won’t untap during its controller’s next untap step.