Champion of the Parish: A Powerful Token Generator

Overview and Mechanics

The Champion of the Parish is a versatile and impactful creature that rewards players for developing their human army. For one white mana, it provides a token-sized body with a unique ability to grow in power as more humans are played. The Champion's defining feature is its text ability: "Whenever another Human you control enters, put a +1/+1 counter on this creature." This ability makes the Champion an attractive choice for strategies that prioritize human token generation and scaling.

The addition of a single white mana to the cost does not detract from its potential impact. The Champion's ability will trigger whenever any human creature enters, regardless of whether it was cast or created by another effect. This means that cards like Luminarch Ascension can create humans and immediately benefit the Champion. However, the Champion's relatively low power and toughness make it vulnerable to removal effects, necessitating protection measures for successful deployment.

Interactions with Other Cards

When evaluating interactions with other cards, consider that the Champion's ability will trigger on any human creature entering play, not just those cast by the player controlling the Champion. This broad application means that the Champion can benefit from a wide range of human-generating effects. For instance, cards like Luminarch Ascension can create humans and immediately grant the Champion additional power.

In addition to direct interactions, the Champion's ability can also be influenced by other effects. Cards like Human or Spectral Procession can create humans on the battlefield, triggering the Champion's ability. Conversely, removal effects that target human creatures will impede the Champion's growth, requiring players to balance token generation with removal protection.

Strategic Uses and Synergies

The Champion of the Parish excels in token-heavy strategies that aim to swarm the board with small creatures. Some potential uses include:

Token Aggro: Combine the Champion with cards like Goblin Guide or Kumano Faces to generate an army of low-toughness tokens. The Champion's ability will accelerate its growth, making it a potent force on the battlefield.

• Card Advantage: Pair the Champion with draw-heavy spells, such as Vandalblast, to create a self-sustaining cycle of human creation and growth. This synergy allows players to consistently develop their army while maintaining pressure on their opponents.
• Companions: The Champion's ability is particularly well-suited for companion interactions. Cards like Kor Spiritdancer or Atraxa, Praetors' Voice can help create an army of humans while the Champion grows in power.

Deckbuilding Roles and Archetypes

Based on its mechanics, the Champion of the Parish can be used to build a variety of decks:

Token Aggro: This archetype focuses on generating small creatures quickly, with the Champion serving as a key piece for growth. By combining the Champion with aggressive tokens like Goblin Guide or Kumano Faces, players can create an overwhelming board presence. * Midrange: By adding more card draw and protection effects to the Champion-based deck, players can develop their human army while keeping the Champion alive. This approach enables midrange strategies that combine token generation with removal and defense. * Control: While less obvious, control decks may benefit from using the Champion to ramp up their creature's power, making it harder for opponents to deal with. By incorporating the Champion into a more controlling strategy, players can create a formidable opponent who can adapt to various board states.

Format Viability and Competitive Context

In Standard, the Champion of the Parish is a moderate-power card in a format dominated by more aggressive creatures. Its viability depends on its inclusion in specific strategies or sideboards. As a potential competitive deck archetype, token-based strategies that include the Champion can compete against midrange decks but struggle against top-tier control decks.

Rules Interactions and Technical Notes

The Champion's ability has no unique rules interactions beyond those mentioned earlier (i.e., triggering on human creation). When evaluating its impact, players must consider all possible ways to create humans on the battlefield, including spells and effects like Human or Spectral Procession. This comprehensive understanding is crucial for optimal use of the Champion in various deck archetypes.

Conclusion

The Champion of the Parish is a versatile and impactful creature that rewards players for developing their human army. Its ability to grow in power as more humans are played makes it an attractive choice for strategies that prioritize token generation and scaling. While its vulnerability to removal effects requires careful consideration, the Champion can be a key piece in various deck archetypes, from token aggro to midrange and control. By understanding its mechanics and potential synergies, players can unlock the full potential of this powerful creature.