Arwen, Mortal QueenHow it works & interactions with other cards

What it Does

Arwen enters the battlefield with an indestructible counter, making her difficult to remove via destruction effects. Her activated ability allows you to pay one mana and remove that very counter to grant another creature indestructible until end of turn. Additionally, both Arwen and the target creature receive a +1/+1 counter and a lifelink counter, permanently increasing their power and your ability to gain life.

Resolution Step by Step

First, you must choose a legal target for the ability; Arwen cannot target herself. Next, you pay the cost of one mana and remove the indestructible counter from Arwen. If the target is still legal upon resolution, the target creature gains indestructible until the end of the turn. Finally, the game places one +1/+1 counter and one lifelink counter on the target, followed by one +1/+1 counter and one lifelink counter on Arwen herself.

Common Pitfalls

Timing is crucial when removing Arwen's protection. Because removing the indestructible counter is a cost, Arwen loses her protection the moment the ability is put on the stack. If Arwen has already taken damage equal to her toughness earlier in the turn, she will be destroyed by state-based actions before the ability resolves and before she gets her +1/+1 counter. Furthermore, if the target creature becomes illegal (such as being removed in response), the entire ability fails, and Arwen receives no counters.

When to Play Arwen

Arwen is best used in midrange decks that value board presence and life gain. She acts as a deterrent for opponents' removal spells; if they try to destroy another key creature, Arwen can swap her protection to that creature while growing both threats. She is particularly effective when you have other high-value creatures that lack their own protection.

Interaction examples

Protecting the Golem

Solemn Simulacrum

With both creatures on the battlefield, an opponent casts a spell to destroy Solemn Simulacrum. You respond by activating Arwen's ability, targeting the Golem. You remove Arwen's indestructible counter. When the ability resolves, Solemn Simulacrum gains indestructible, saving it from the destruction spell. Both Arwen and the Golem receive a +1/+1 counter and a lifelink counter, turning your utility artifact into a more potent attacker.

Growing the Tribe

Sakura-Tribe Elder

If you target Sakura-Tribe Elder with Arwen's ability, you can wait for the ability to resolve to give the Elder a +1/+1 and lifelink counter. While Sakura-Tribe Elder is often sacrificed for a land, giving it indestructible allows it to block a large creature without dying, then you can sacrifice it later. Note that if you sacrifice the Elder in response to Arwen's ability, the ability will have an illegal target and Arwen will not receive her own counters.