Animal Friend is one of those cards players keep asking about. Here is, in plain words, what its official text says, the rulings published by Wizards of the Coast, and the combos players actually run.
Official card text
Enchant creature Enchanted creature has "Whenever this creature attacks, create a 1/1 green Squirrel creature token. Put a +1/+1 counter on that token for each Aura and Equipment attached to this creature other than Animal Friend."
Complete guide
Animal Friend is a unique Aura that turns any creature into a generator for our favorite forest dwellers. By rewarding you for stacking attachments, this enchantment ensures that your Squirrel tokens grow stronger the more gear your hero carries.
What it Does
Animal Friend enchants a creature and gives it a triggered ability that activates whenever it attacks. This ability creates a 1/1 green Squirrel creature token and then immediately modifies it with +1/+1 counters. The number of counters is determined by counting every Aura and Equipment currently attached to the attacking creature, excluding Animal Friend itself.
Step-by-Step Resolution
When the enchanted creature is declared as an attacker, the ability triggers and goes on the stack. Upon resolution, the 1/1 Squirrel token enters the battlefield first. After it is on the battlefield, the game checks the attacking creature for other Auras and Equipment. Finally, the corresponding number of +1/+1 counters are placed on the new Squirrel token.
Timing and Triggers
It is important to note that the token enters as a 1/1 before receiving counters. This means any abilities that trigger when a creature with low power enters the battlefield will see it as a 1/1. Conversely, if you are looking for 'power 4 or greater' triggers, the token may not satisfy those requirements until the counters are placed, unless you have enough attachments to boost it instantly.
When to Play It
Animal Friend is best utilized in 'Voltron' style decks where one creature is heavily modified with various items. Since it counts both Auras and Equipment, you can quickly create massive tokens that become threats in their own right, rather than just small chump blockers.
Interaction examples
Animal Friend
Hardened ScalesIf you have Hardened Scales on the battlefield and your creature is equipped with one Sword, Animal Friend will trigger. You create a 1/1 Squirrel. The effect tries to put one +1/+1 counter on it (for the Sword), but Hardened Scales increases this to two counters. Your Squirrel becomes a 3/3.
Garruk's UprisingWhen your creature attacks while wearing Animal Friend and three other Auras, the Squirrel enters as a 1/1. Even though it will immediately become a 4/4 after the counters are placed, Garruk's Uprising will not trigger to draw a card because the creature did not enter the battlefield with a power of 4 or greater.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Animal Friend
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
The token will enter the battlefield and then have counters put on it. In most cases, the game will see a 1/1 creature entering the battlefield for the purposes of any abilities that may trigger, such as the first ability of Overseer of Vault 76.
No other card is named in this ruling.
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Meta decks with Animal Friend
No archived Top 8 deck with this card yet.