Downhill Charge MTG Card


Lands convert directly into combat strength, posing a threat during the combat phase. Requires sacrificing a land, potentially hindering early game land development. Excels in red aggressive strategies and decks with a focus on land quantity.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityCommon
TypeInstant

Text of card

You may sacrifice a mountain instead of paying Downhill Charge's mana cost. Target creature gets +X/+0 until end of turn, where X is the number of mountains you control.


Cards like Downhill Charge

Downhill Charge provides a unique spin in the collection of red spells that boost creature power in Magic: The Gathering. It is similar to other spells like Brute Force, which offers a straightforward and temporary +3/+3 power and toughness increase to a creature for one red mana. Downhill Charge differentiates itself with the flexibility to forego a mana cost by sacrificing a mountain instead, giving it an edge in decks with plenty of land assets.

Invigorating Surge is another card to consider. While it boosts a creature’s power, it also adds a +1/+1 counter, unlike Downhill Charge. However, Invigorating Surge has a fixed mana cost and does not provide the option to sacrifice land for its effect. Temur Battle Rage offers double strike in addition to a power boost but again, at a fixed mana cost, something Downhill Charge users can avoid in a land-heavy deck.

Considering the cost-saving potential and synergy with decks designed to capitalize on land, Downhill Charge earns its place in strategies that seek to deliver unexpected and potent bursts of power on a crucial turn without tapping much-needed mana resources.

Brute Force - MTG Card versions
Invigorating Surge - MTG Card versions
Temur Battle Rage - MTG Card versions
Brute Force - MTG Card versions
Invigorating Surge - MTG Card versions
Temur Battle Rage - MTG Card versions

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

Solfatara - MTG Card versions
Urza's Rage - MTG Card versions
Char - MTG Card versions
Chaos Warp - MTG Card versions
Seething Song - MTG Card versions
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Aura Barbs - MTG Card versions
Path of Anger's Flame - MTG Card versions
Fiery Temper - MTG Card versions
Orcish Cannonade - MTG Card versions
Fatal Frenzy - MTG Card versions
Seismic Strike - MTG Card versions
Staggershock - MTG Card versions
Flames of the Blood Hand - MTG Card versions
Rally the Forces - MTG Card versions
Brimstone Volley - MTG Card versions
Trumpet Blast - MTG Card versions
Annihilating Fire - MTG Card versions
Massive Raid - MTG Card versions
Volt Charge - MTG Card versions
Solfatara - MTG Card versions
Urza's Rage - MTG Card versions
Char - MTG Card versions
Chaos Warp - MTG Card versions
Seething Song - MTG Card versions
Unforge - MTG Card versions
Aura Barbs - MTG Card versions
Path of Anger's Flame - MTG Card versions
Fiery Temper - MTG Card versions
Orcish Cannonade - MTG Card versions
Fatal Frenzy - MTG Card versions
Seismic Strike - MTG Card versions
Staggershock - MTG Card versions
Flames of the Blood Hand - MTG Card versions
Rally the Forces - MTG Card versions
Brimstone Volley - MTG Card versions
Trumpet Blast - MTG Card versions
Annihilating Fire - MTG Card versions
Massive Raid - MTG Card versions
Volt Charge - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Downhill Charge itself doesn’t allow direct drawing of cards, it can represent a form of card advantage due to its ability to remove an opponent’s creature without expending multiple cards, effectively doing more with less.

Resource Acceleration: This card may not produce additional mana or Treasure tokens, but it synergizes with lands you already control, essentially converting land resources directly into a powerful game effect without the need for mana investment.

Instant Speed: Downhill Charge demonstrates versatility by functioning at instant speed, which lets players surprise opponents by boosting a creature’s power during the combat phase, potentially altering the outcome of battles and disrupting the opponent’s strategy unexpectedly.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Downhill Charge necessitates the sacrifice of a land card to activate its alternative cost, potentially setting you back in terms of invaluable mana resources. This trade-off can be particularly detrimental during the crucial setup phases of the game when land development is key.

Specific Mana Cost: Downhill Charge demands a red mana to cast, which can restrict its integration into multi-colored decks or those that do not focus on mountains and red mana generation. This specific mana requirement can hinder deckbuilding flexibility and may necessitate the inclusion of additional mana-fixing cards to ensure consistency.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Without utilizing its alternative cost, Downhill Charge’s regular mana cost may be considered too high for the effect it delivers. There are alternative cards that can bolster creature power without the downside of losing a land or incurring a significant mana investment, making Downhill Charge less favorable in terms of efficiency for the cost.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Downhill Charge offers a dynamic response to various game situations, easily fitting into red-based aggressive strategies. Its capacity to boost creature power without the need for a specific mana investment makes it a flexible surprise attacker enhancer.

Combo Potential: This card’s synergy with decks that increase land count or play with numerous mountains can create explosive plays. When paired with land untapping mechanics or cards that duplicate spells, the outcome can be game-ending.

Meta-Relevance: It thrives in a game environment that calls for quick adaptation to overrun opponents or as an unexpected buffer against control decks. Downhill Charge can shift the tide of a match when speed and the element of surprise are crucial.


How to beat

Downhill Charge introduces a dynamic layer to combat in Magic: The Gathering, granting a creature a power boost without demanding any mana, making it an interesting addition to red aggressive decks. This card resonates with the principle of red’s playstyle; spending resources for an immediate impact on the battlefield. The power surge Downhill Charge offers is based on the number of mountains you control, which encourages a strategy built around land accumulation.

Counteracting Downhill Charge effectively requires a strategic focus on timing and resource management. Defensive decks can prioritize removal spells that don’t rely on the creature’s power, such as Path to Exile or Fatal Push, bypassing the temporary boost provided by Downhill Charge. On the other side of the coin, control players might find success with counterspells to intercept Downhill Charge before it can be applied, ensuring that the creatures remain within manageable ranges for other forms of removal or board control.

Additionally, understanding the pivotal moment in which an opponent is most likely to cast Downhill Charge can be key, allowing players to plan their resource allotment and removal or counter strategies efficiently. In essence, overcoming Downhill Charge requires careful planning, anticipation, and the strategic use of removal or counter spells at the right moment to mitigate its power-boosting effect.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering the art of MTG involves recognizing the potential of each card, and Downhill Charge presents a unique opportunity to turn the tide in your favor. Its ability to supercharge a creature at instant speed can decisively impact the game’s outcome. While you manage its trade-offs such as land sacrifice and color restriction, you explore strategic depths and open up powerful combo avenues. Our insights, coupled with your gameplay finesse, can cast a new light on underrated gems like Downhill Charge. Ready to harness its explosive potential? Dive deeper with us and discover ways to optimize your deck with this dynamic card.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Downhill Charge MTG card by a specific set like Nemesis and Duel Decks: Venser vs. Koth, 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 Downhill Charge and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Downhill Charge Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2000-02-14 and 2012-03-30. Illustrated by 3 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12000-02-14NemesisNEM 791997NormalBlackGreg Hildebrandt & Tim Hildebrandt
22012-03-30Duel Decks: Venser vs. KothDDI 692003NormalBlackGreg Hildebrandt & Tim Hildebrandt

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Downhill Charge has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal