Chandra, Legacy of FireHow it works & interactions with other cards

Scaling Damage and Mana

Chandra's first two abilities scale directly with the number of planeswalkers you control. Her triggered ability fires at the beginning of your end step, dealing damage to each opponent equal to your total planeswalker count, including Chandra herself. Similarly, her +1 loyalty ability generates one red mana for each planeswalker you control. Because these count Chandra, you are guaranteed at least one damage and one mana as long as she remains on the battlefield.

Converting Loyalty into Knowledge

The 0 ability is a unique form of 'impulse draw.' When you activate it, you choose any number of permanents you control—not just planeswalkers—and remove a loyalty counter from each. You then exile a number of cards from the top of your library equal to the total number of counters removed. You can play these cards until the end of the turn, provided you follow all timing rules and pay their costs.

Timing and Restrictions

A common mistake is assuming that cards exiled with the 0 ability can be played for free or at any time. You must still pay the mana cost of the cards and follow normal timing rules; you cannot play a land during an opponent's turn or cast a sorcery while the stack is not empty. Additionally, if you remove zero counters, you will exile zero cards.

Interaction examples

Explosive Mana Generation

Ugin, the Ineffable

With both Chandra and Ugin, the Ineffable on the battlefield, activating Chandra's +1 ability will add {R}{R} to your mana pool. You can then use this mana to cast spells, which Ugin will further discount by {2} if they are colorless, allowing for a massive turn of development.

Cycling Loyalty for Resources

Chandra, Torch of Defiance

If you control both versions of Chandra, you can use Chandra, Legacy of Fire's 0 ability to remove a loyalty counter from herself and one from Chandra, Torch of Defiance. You exile two cards from your library. You can then use the +1 ability of Chandra, Torch of Defiance to add {R}{R}, providing the mana needed to cast the spells you just exiled.

End Step Burn

Ugin, the IneffableChandra, Torch of Defiance

As you move to your end step with these three planeswalkers in play, Chandra, Legacy of Fire's triggered ability goes on the stack. Upon resolution, it checks your board, sees three planeswalkers, and deals 3 damage to each of your opponents automatically.