Avenger of the FallenHow it works & interactions with other cards

Understanding Mobilize

Mobilize is a triggered ability that occurs whenever the creature with the keyword is declared as an attacker. For Avenger of the Fallen, the number of tokens created, X, is equal to the number of creature cards currently in your graveyard. Because it has Deathtouch, it remains a dangerous blocker-trumper while its tokens provide a wide offensive front.

Resolution Step-by-Step

First, you declare Avenger of the Fallen as an attacker during your Declare Attackers step. The Mobilize ability triggers and goes on the stack. Upon resolution, you count the creature cards in your graveyard to determine the value of X. You then create X 1/1 red Warrior tokens that are tapped and already attacking. You must choose which player, planeswalker, or battle each token is attacking as they enter. Finally, at the beginning of the next end step, you must sacrifice any of these tokens that remain on the battlefield.

Common Pitfalls

A common mistake is assuming that tokens entering 'attacking' will trigger other 'whenever a creature attacks' abilities. Per official rulings, these tokens were never declared as attackers, so they do not trigger such effects. Additionally, the value of X is only checked once during resolution; if the number of creatures in your graveyard changes after the ability has resolved, the number of tokens you already created does not change.

Strategic Timing

To maximize Avenger of the Fallen, ensure your graveyard is populated before your combat phase begins. Since the tokens are sacrificed at the next end step, they are excellent candidates for sacrifice outlets or for pushing through lethal damage when your opponent has limited blockers. Because the tokens can target different players or permanents than the Avenger itself, you can use them to pressure multiple threats simultaneously.

Interaction examples

Building the Horde

Avenger of the FallenSolemn Simulacrum

If you have a Solemn Simulacrum in your graveyard and you attack with Avenger of the Fallen, the Mobilize ability checks your graveyard during resolution. It sees one creature card (the Simulacrum), so X equals 1. You create one 1/1 red Warrior token that is tapped and attacking.

Doubling the Army

Avenger of the FallenRoaming Throne

With Roaming Throne on the battlefield naming 'Human' or 'Warrior', attacking with Avenger of the Fallen will cause its Mobilize ability to trigger twice. If you have two creature cards in your graveyard, the first trigger resolves and creates two tokens. Then, the second trigger resolves, checks the graveyard again, and creates two more tokens, for a total of four tokens.

Directing the Attack

Avenger of the FallenWarrior

When Avenger of the Fallen attacks a player, the Warrior tokens it creates via Mobilize do not have to attack that same player. You can choose to have the Warrior tokens attack a Planeswalker controlled by that player, or even a different opponent entirely in a multiplayer game.