Akki DrillmasterHow it works & interactions with other cards

Granting Haste

Akki Drillmaster has a simple but effective activated ability. By tapping it, you choose a target creature to gain haste until the end of the current turn. This allows that creature to attack or use abilities with the tap symbol even if it hasn't been under your control since the beginning of your most recent turn.

Step-by-Step Resolution

First, you activate the ability by tapping Akki Drillmaster and selecting a legal target creature. Once the ability is on the stack, players have a chance to respond. When the ability resolves, the target creature gains haste. Even if Akki Drillmaster leaves the battlefield after the ability is activated, the target creature will still keep haste until the end of the turn.

Common Mistakes

Remember that Akki Drillmaster itself is subject to 'summoning sickness.' Unless you have another way to give it haste, you cannot tap it to use its ability on the same turn it enters the battlefield. Additionally, giving a creature haste after the declare attackers step has already begun will not allow that creature to attack that turn.

When to Play It

This card is best used in aggressive decks where tempo is key. It is particularly useful for creatures that have powerful 'when this creature attacks' triggers or activated abilities that require them to tap, allowing you to get immediate value before your opponent can untap and find a removal spell.

Interaction examples

Accelerating the Simulacrum

Solemn Simulacrum

You cast Solemn Simulacrum and its enter-the-battlefield ability resolves. Because the Simulacrum doesn't have haste, it normally couldn't attack. You tap Akki Drillmaster to give Solemn Simulacrum haste. Now you can attack with the Golem immediately, threatening your opponent while benefiting from its eventual 'dies' trigger sooner.

Double Triggers and Timing

Roaming Throne

If you have Roaming Throne on the battlefield and you chose 'Goblin,' Akki Drillmaster's ability is an activated ability, not a triggered one. Therefore, Roaming Throne will not cause Akki Drillmaster to grant haste twice. However, if you give Roaming Throne haste using the Drillmaster, the Throne can attack immediately, and its Ward 2 ability will protect it from targeted removal while it charges in.