Image courtesy of Scryfall.com
Market demand and the tug-of-war between price and playability
Red-aligned commanders tend to draw a different crowd in the Magic: The Gathering landscape—one that loves tempo, risk, and big personalities. Varchild, Betrayer of Kjeldor arrives in Commander 2018 with a spicy identity: a legendary Human Knight who generates momentum through combat damage and token politics, all wrapped in a fiery red aura 🧙🔥. In market terms, this card sits in the “interesting niche” category. It’s a rare printing from a popular Commander set, with a current market value hovering in the low-to-mid dollar range (roughly around $2 USD on average), and it’s printed in nonfoil only for this release. For collectors, that makes it accessible; for players, it’s a compelling add for players chasing a red token or control-forward EDH strategy ⚔️💎. The EDH casual scene tends to prize cards that enable memorable politics and dramatic swings, not just raw raw-power. Varchild’s market appeal is amplified by its unique win-conduit: it rewards you for dealing damage by swelling the battlefield with Survivors, but it also arms you with a built-in political lever—once Varchild leaves the battlefield, you steal every Survivor on the board. That “value-with-attrition” loop often resonates with players who love late-game drama, alliance-sharp bargains, and the occasional spiteful play blowout. Still, the card’s EDHREC rank sits around the mid-range, signaling that while it’s beloved by a vocal subset, it isn’t pushing the meta as a top-tier staple in every red commander shell. The market doesn’t scream “must-cash-in-now” for this card, but it does whisper a steady, loyal interest from red token enthusiasts and Kjeldor-flavored fans 🧙🔥. For collectors, the lack of foil printings on this particular run can be a small itch—not a barrier, but a nuance. Nonfoil-only prints mean fewer foil chase options, which can tilt certain buyers toward aesthetically appealing nonfoil copies for the display shelf. In practice, that tends to maintain a healthy, approachable price point while still offering a distinctive card-for-card feel in your deck-building journey 🎨.
Commander playstyle: how Varchild shapes your deck’s identity
At pitch, Varchild is a red creature with a deceptively deep clock. For a 3-mana body (2R) you get a 3/3 legendary Human Knight whose trigger punishes life totals and rewards the player who can survive the first exchange. The Oracle text sets up a clear sequence: deal combat damage, trigger a token flood, then leverage those tokens for momentum while constraining opponents’ moves. The Survivors you create are not just numbers on a sheet—they’re a tool of urgency: “attack past blockers, but watch out for the one who can remove Varchild and flip the board state.” The tokens also carry a built-in political element: they’re a bargaining chip and a potential shield, creating a tug-of-war between who controls the table and who controls the battlefield 🧙🔥⚔️. Strategically, you’ll likely aim to deploy Varchild as a commander who pivots between offense and control. Early beats ramp into a midgame where your token production accelerates and pressure piles on one or two opponents—while your blindingly practical clause about Survivors—“they can’t block, and they can’t attack you or planeswalkers you control”—keeps momentum tight and directional. This isn’t merely token generation for its own sake; it’s a deliberate gatekeeping mechanism that curbs your rivals’ ability to neutralize you with block-heavy boards or oppressive attacks. In multiplayer EDH, that creates the kind of political theater fans love: a table where every swing of the sword reshapes who is in the driver’s seat 🧙🔥🎲. The “when Varchild leaves the battlefield, gain control of all Survivors” clause is almost a narrative cheat code. It invites risk: you can present a threat to the table, only to pivot into a dramatic “you break it, I own it” moment if removal comes into play. It’s a board-state exchange that rewards careful timing and careful drafting—one misstep and your plan could unravel in a hurry, but a well-timed exit can turn a tide that makes even the most skeptical players nod in respect ⚔️🎨. A well-built Varchild deck typically embraces a red-light approach to disruption and tempo: pump effects, direct damage, and spells that incentivize opponents to topple each other, all while you carve a lane that token swells to overwhelming force. Think synergy with effects that reward attacking or that leverage the built-in evasion of Survivors against heavier blockers. The deck’s resilience depends on how cleanly you can translate damage dealt into a favorable token surge, and how smoothly you can pivot when the board curves toward removal or a sweeping reset. It’s a red mirror of the classic Kjeldor lore—betrayal, speed, and a fiery desire to tilt the board in your direction 🧙🔥⚔️.
The market vs. the table: where the value actually lands
From a market perspective, Varchild’s price point, rarity, and the Commander 2018 printing make it a sensible pick for players who want a flavorful red commander without breaking the bank. For the casual table, the card frequently earns a spot because it creates memorable combat moments and spicy political games that stick in people’s memories long after the match ends. For serious collectors or those who chase limited prints, the single nonfoil printing and the legal status in Commander as well as Legacy and Vintage relevance (thanks to its legalities) add a dash of speculative texture to a finished deck. The card’s value isn’t just monetary; it’s the value of potential storylines—table talk and “what would you do if…” moments that are the heartbeat of a lively EDH night 🧙🔥💎. If you’re curious about how it might slot into a broader strategy—especially in a Kjeldor-themed or RED-leaning “control the field, ignite the table” build—there are neat, approachable routes. You can lean into a politics-forward deck that leans on your ability to threaten token generation with a strategic exit, pairing Varchild with other red commanders or generic token-support cards to maximize the ebb and flow of table dynamics. It’s not a guaranteed meta titan, but it is a celebrated narrative centerpiece that players remember long after the last die roll 🎲.
Art, lore, and the shared thrill of the game
The art by Lucas Graciano captures a moment of high-stakes drama—Varchild standing as a crucible of betrayal, the Kjeldoran banner flickering in the heat of battle. The card’s flavor text and name carry a lore-forward punch that resonates with players who love red’s gambling spirit and Kjeldor’s storied heroism turned on its head. In the world of Commander, where a single card can tilt the course of a table, Varchild’s story invites players to lean into risk, make bold claims, and savor the ebb and flow of shifting loyalties 🧙🔥🎨.
“A red commander with a built-in token engine that doubles as a political pressure lever—that’s the kind of table-swinging moment EDH fans live for.”
For folks looking to dip a toe into this space, the card stands as a banner of what makes red in Commander both explosive and tactically rich. It isn’t just about the raw stats; it’s about the conversations you’ll spark, the alliances you’ll negotiate, and the tabletop misdirection you’ll unleash as Survivors flood the board 🎲.