Aurelia, the Law AboveHow it works & interactions with other cards

Understanding the Attacking Triggers

Aurelia has two distinct triggered abilities that look for a specific number of creatures being declared as attackers during the 'Declare Attackers' step. The first ability triggers when any player attacks with three or more creatures, granting you a card. The second triggers when a player attacks with five or more creatures, dealing 3 damage to each opponent and gaining you 3 life. Note that if a player attacks with five creatures, both abilities will trigger simultaneously.

Step-by-Step Resolution

First, a player declares their attackers. If the count meets the threshold (3 or 5), Aurelia's abilities are placed on the stack. Because these are 'Whenever a player attacks' triggers, they trigger only once per combat phase at the moment attackers are declared. If those creatures are later removed from combat or destroyed after the trigger has reached the stack, the effects still resolve fully. You will still draw your card or deal your damage even if the attacking creatures leave the battlefield before the ability finishes.

Common Pitfalls

A common mistake is thinking these abilities trigger for every three or five creatures; they only trigger once per combat per player. Additionally, creatures that are put onto the battlefield already 'attacking' (such as via certain effects) were never declared as attackers, so they do not count toward Aurelia's requirements. Only creatures declared as attackers at the start of the combat phase satisfy her law.

When to Play Aurelia

Aurelia is best utilized in decks that can consistently field three or more creatures, or in multiplayer formats like Commander where opponents are likely to attack each other. Because she has haste, she can immediately contribute to the creature count herself the turn she is played. Her vigilance allows her to stay back as a blocker while still benefitting from the card draw she provides during your turn.

Interaction examples

Doubling the Law

Roaming Throne

If you have Roaming Throne on the battlefield with 'Angel' chosen as the creature type, Aurelia's abilities will trigger an additional time. If you attack with five creatures, the card-draw ability triggers twice, and the damage/lifegain ability triggers twice. You would end up drawing two cards, dealing 6 damage to each opponent, and gaining 6 life total.

Aurelia and the Golem

Solemn Simulacrum

If you attack with Aurelia, the Law Above, Solemn Simulacrum, and one other creature, you have met the requirement of attacking with three creatures. Even if your opponent uses a removal spell to destroy Solemn Simulacrum before the 'Declare Attackers' step ends, Aurelia's trigger is already on the stack. You will still draw your card from Aurelia, and eventually another card from the Simulacrum's death trigger.