Chandra's DragonmechHow it works & interactions with other cards

A Mechanical Dragon's Arsenal

Chandra's Dragonmech features a combat damage trigger that produces a copy of one of six possible cards. When it deals combat damage to a player, you randomly select between four spells—Chandra's Fury, Chandra's Ignition, Chandra's Outrage, or Chandra's Spitfire—and two artifacts—Chandra's Magmutt or Chandra's Regulator. Once the choice is made at random, the game creates a copy of that card in the zone where you can cast it.

Casting the Created Copy

When the ability resolves, you choose one of the six cards at random and then choose whether to cast the copy immediately. Since the ability says you 'may' cast it, you are not forced to if the board state is unfavorable. Because you are casting the copy during the resolution of the ability, you ignore normal timing restrictions; for instance, you can cast a copy of Chandra's Ignition (a sorcery) during the combat phase right after damage is dealt. If you choose not to cast it, the copy ceases to exist as a state-based action.

Deckbuilding Restrictions and Strategy

A unique aspect of this card is its team-based restriction: you cannot include it in your deck if you belong to Team Speed Demons. In gameplay, this creature shines when it has a clear path to the opponent's life total. Since the trigger requires combat damage to a player, effects that grant haste or prevent blocking are highly valuable to ensure you start generating your random Chandra-themed rewards as early as possible.

Interaction examples

Doubling the Mechanical Output

Roaming Throne

If you control Roaming Throne and chose 'Dragon' as it entered the battlefield, Chandra's Dragonmech will trigger twice whenever it deals combat damage to a player. You will randomly select a card for each trigger separately. This allows you to potentially cast two free spells or permanents in a single combat phase.

Artifact Synergy

Solemn Simulacrum

While Solemn Simulacrum helps you reach the five mana required to cast your Dragonmech by searching for a basic land, the Dragonmech can later generate a copy of Chandra's Regulator. The Regulator's ability to copy activated loyalty abilities of Chandra planeswalkers or cycle cards provides additional utility to the mana ramp provided by the Simulacrum.

Single-Card Combat Value

When Chandra's Dragonmech attacks and is not blocked, it deals 4 damage to the player. The trigger goes on the stack and, upon resolution, you might randomly select Chandra's Outrage. You can immediately cast this copy for free, dealing 4 damage to a creature that player controls and an additional 2 damage to the player, effectively increasing your total output that turn without spending extra mana.