Aragorn, Hornburg HeroHow it works & interactions with other cards

The Power of Renown

While Aragorn is on the battlefield, every attacking creature you control gains first strike and renown 1. Renown is a triggered ability that checks if a creature has dealt combat damage to a player; if that creature is not already 'renowned,' it receives a +1/+1 counter and gains the status of being renowned. This status is permanent as long as the creature remains on the battlefield, even if Aragorn leaves.

Doubling Down on Combat Damage

Aragorn's second ability is where the real value lies. Whenever a renowned creature you control deals combat damage to a player, you double the number of +1/+1 counters on it. Note that the renown trigger and the doubling trigger are separate events. If a creature becomes renowned for the first time during a combat step, it wasn't renowned at the moment it dealt damage, so Aragorn will not double its counters until the next time it deals damage.

Timing and First Strike

Because Aragorn grants first strike, your creatures will often deal damage before your opponent's blockers. If Aragorn is removed from the battlefield after the first strike damage step but before the regular damage step, your creatures lose the first strike ability. If they have already dealt damage in the first strike step, they will not deal damage again in the regular step unless they also have double strike.

Strategic Deployment

You should play Aragorn, Hornburg Hero during your main phase before you declare attackers to maximize his impact. Since his renown ability only triggers on combat damage to a player, focus your attacks on opponents who cannot block efficiently. Remember that renown does not trigger when dealing damage to Planeswalkers, Battles, or other creatures.

Interaction examples

Boosting a Golem

Solemn Simulacrum

You control Aragorn and Solemn Simulacrum. You attack with the Simulacrum. Because of Aragorn, it has first strike and renown 1. It deals 2 combat damage to your opponent. The renown 1 ability triggers, putting a +1/+1 counter on it. Because it was not renowned when it dealt the damage, Aragorn's doubling ability does not trigger yet. On your next turn, you attack again; this time, the Simulacrum is already renowned. When it deals 3 damage, Aragorn's ability triggers and doubles its +1/+1 counters from one to two.

Recursive Growth

Eternal Witness

Eternal Witness attacks while Aragorn is out. It deals combat damage and becomes renowned, gaining a +1/+1 counter. Later, you use a spell to put two more +1/+1 counters on the Witness. The next time the Witness deals combat damage to a player, Aragorn's ability triggers. It checks the three counters currently on Eternal Witness and adds three more, bringing the total to six +1/+1 counters.