Iroas's Champion MTG Card


Iroas’s Champion excels by forcing opponents into unfavorable trades and leveraging its double strike. Double strike potential accelerates resource depletion, but its mana cost may limit deck flexibility. Combos well with buffs; however, requires careful management to avoid card disadvantage.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Human Soldier
Abilities Double strike
Power 2
Toughness 2

Text of card

Double strike (This creature deals both first-strike and regular combat damage.)

Accustomed to battling before an audience in the arena, Iroas's champions know how to put on a good show.


Cards like Iroas's Champion

Iroas’s Champion is a distinctive creature card in Magic: The Gathering with its double strike ability, much like other cards that give players an offensive edge. It draws parallels with Skyhunter Skirmisher, another creature that boasts double strike. However, Iroas’s Champion brings more power to the battlefield with a strength of 2/2 compared to Skirmisher’s 1/1. Offering both quick attacks and defense, it becomes a threatening presence on the board.

Mirror types like Warren Instigator also share the double strike trait, yet this goblin card leans more towards enabling a goblin tribal strategy, with its ability to put goblins directly onto the field. The Champion, on the other hand, does not come with tribal synergies, but rather focuses on straightforward combat prowess. Swiftblade Vindicator is another comparable card; while it arrives as a 1/1, it expands its battlefield potential by combining double strike with vigilance and trample, making it a versatile combatant.

In summary, Iroas’s Champion stands out among double strike creatures in Magic: The Gathering as a powerful and immediate threat. Its straightforward application in battle can pressure opponents without relying on additional combo pieces or tribal alignments.

Skyhunter Skirmisher - MTG Card versions
Warren Instigator - MTG Card versions
Swiftblade Vindicator - MTG Card versions
Skyhunter Skirmisher - MTG Card versions
Warren Instigator - MTG Card versions
Swiftblade Vindicator - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Iroas's Champion by color, type and mana cost

Mila, Crafty Companion // Lukka, Wayward Bonder - MTG Card versions
Queen Kayla bin-Kroog - MTG Card versions
Duergar Hedge-Mage - MTG Card versions
Plargg, Dean of Chaos // Augusta, Dean of Order - MTG Card versions
Lavabelly Sliver - MTG Card versions
Skyknight Legionnaire - MTG Card versions
Boros Reckoner - MTG Card versions
Hearthfire Hobgoblin - MTG Card versions
Depala, Pilot Exemplar - MTG Card versions
Resolute Survivors - MTG Card versions
Tajic, Legion's Edge - MTG Card versions
Feather, the Redeemed - MTG Card versions
Vikya, Scorching Stalwart - MTG Card versions
Zirda, the Dawnwaker - MTG Card versions
Akiri, Fearless Voyager - MTG Card versions
Kargan Warleader - MTG Card versions
Venerable Warsinger - MTG Card versions
Stonebound Mentor - MTG Card versions
General Ferrous Rokiric - MTG Card versions
Rem Karolus, Stalwart Slayer - MTG Card versions
Mila, Crafty Companion // Lukka, Wayward Bonder - MTG Card versions
Queen Kayla bin-Kroog - MTG Card versions
Duergar Hedge-Mage - MTG Card versions
Plargg, Dean of Chaos // Augusta, Dean of Order - MTG Card versions
Lavabelly Sliver - MTG Card versions
Skyknight Legionnaire - MTG Card versions
Boros Reckoner - MTG Card versions
Hearthfire Hobgoblin - MTG Card versions
Depala, Pilot Exemplar - MTG Card versions
Resolute Survivors - MTG Card versions
Tajic, Legion's Edge - MTG Card versions
Feather, the Redeemed - MTG Card versions
Vikya, Scorching Stalwart - MTG Card versions
Zirda, the Dawnwaker - MTG Card versions
Akiri, Fearless Voyager - MTG Card versions
Kargan Warleader - MTG Card versions
Venerable Warsinger - MTG Card versions
Stonebound Mentor - MTG Card versions
General Ferrous Rokiric - MTG Card versions
Rem Karolus, Stalwart Slayer - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Iroas’s Champion may not directly enable drawing cards, its presence on the battlefield can often pressure opponents into unfavorable trades or using up removal spells, ultimately working towards tipping card advantage in your favor.

Resource Acceleration: Iroas’s Champion is a creature that demands an immediate answer. With its double strike ability, it has the potential to generate tremendous damage output, accelerating the pace at which you deplete your opponent’s resources and move towards victory.

Instant Speed: Although Iroas’s Champion itself is not an instant, it synergizes well with other instant-speed tricks and buffs in the MTG arsenal. Casting buffs or combat tricks at instant speed to support this creature can turn combat phases heavily in your favor, often catching opponents off guard.


Card Cons

Specific Mana Cost: Iroas’s Champion requires both red and white mana to be cast, obligating players to commit to a Boros (red and white) color scheme within their decks. This can restrict deck-building options and make the Champion less versatile overall.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana, Iroas’s Champion may compete with other three-mana creatures in terms of board impact. In a game where tempo can be vital, it might not always be the most mana-efficient choice for aggressive strategies.

Discard Requirement: While the Champion does not have a discard requirement, it is worth noting that its double strike ability often demands additional cards, like combat tricks or auras, to be truly effective. This additional requirement can indirectly lead to card disadvantage if not managed carefully.


Reasons to Include Iroas’s Champion in Your Collection

Versatility: Iroas’s Champion fits comfortably within aggressive or midrange decks, capitalizing on its double strike ability to deal damage efficiently. It operates well in multiple color strategies, particularly those looking to utilize red and white synergies.

Combo Potential: The double strike feature of this creature can combine seamlessly with auras, equipment, or buffs that increase its attack power, turning it into a formidable threat that can take opponents by surprise and deliver impactful hits early in the game.

Meta-Relevance: With a steady presence of control decks that aim to stabilize in the mid-game, Iroas’s Champion provides a robust option for applying persistent pressure. It challenges opponents to have an immediate answer, and its double strike can quickly deplete life totals before defenses are fully set up.


How to beat

Iroas’s Champion is a notable creature card for its double strike ability, allowing it to deal both first-strike and regular combat damage. To gain an upper hand against this card in a game of MTG, it’s crucial to have strategies in place. Control decks that can manage the board with removal spells are particularly effective. For example, instant-speed removal like Path to Exile or Fatal Push can disrupt your opponent’s momentum by taking out the Champion before it has a chance to swing for damage.

Playing creatures with deathtouch is also a solid tactic, as just one point of damage from a deathtouch creature is enough to destroy Iroas’s Champion, irrespective of its power. Additionally, using board wipes like Wrath of God or Damnation can reset the playing field, leaving your opponent without their key creature. Preventative measures such as counterspells or hand disruption to remove the Champion from play before it hits the table are equally effective. Overall, the key is to either deal with Iroas’s Champion before it becomes active or to mitigate its impact through smart removal and defensive plays.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Iroas's Champion MTG card by a specific set like Magic Origins 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 Iroas's Champion and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Iroas's Champion Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2015-07-17 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Marco Nelor.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12015-07-17Magic OriginsORI 2142015NormalBlackMarco Nelor
22019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 14382015NormalBlackMarco Nelor
32020-09-26The ListPLST ORI-2142015NormalBlackMarco Nelor

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Iroas's Champion has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal