Balduvian Warlord — ruling 1

Balduvian Warlord’s ability may be activated during any player’s turn.

Balduvian Warlord — ruling 2

The targeted creature that’s removed from combat may then block the attacking creature that it was originally blocking. If so, that creature will no longer be unblocked.

Balduvian Warlord — ruling 3

If an attacking creature becomes unblocked this way and remains unblocked, it will deal its combat damage to the defending player. Abilities that say “When this creature attacks and isn’t blocked” won’t trigger.

Balduvian Warlord — ruling 4

If the targeted creature has a “When this creature blocks” ability, it will trigger when Balduvian Warlord’s ability resolves and the creature blocks again.

Balduvian Warlord — ruling 5

If an attacking creature has an ability that triggers “When this creature becomes blocked,” it triggers when a creature blocks it due to the Warlord’s ability only if it was unblocked at that point.

Balduvian Warlord — ruling 6

If an attacking creature has a “When this creature becomes blocked by [a creature]” ability, it triggers when a creature blocks it due to the Warlord’s ability.

Balduvian Warlord — ruling 7

The attacking creature will become unblocked only if the targeted creature was the only one that blocked it this combat, even if all the other creatures that were blocking it are no longer on the battlefield or are no longer blocking it (even those removed with other Balduvian Warlords’ abilities).

Balduvian Warlord : règles, fonctionnement et interactions (MTG)

Balduvian Warlord 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

: Remove target blocking creature from combat. Creatures it was blocking that hadn't become blocked by another creature this combat become unblocked, then it blocks an attacking creature of your choice. Activate only during the declare blockers step.

How it works : Balduvian Warlord

Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall

#1July 15, 2006· Wizards of the Coast
Balduvian Warlord’s ability may be activated during any player’s turn.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#2July 15, 2006· Wizards of the Coast
The targeted creature that’s removed from combat may then block the attacking creature that it was originally blocking. If so, that creature will no longer be unblocked.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#3July 15, 2006· Wizards of the Coast
If an attacking creature becomes unblocked this way and remains unblocked, it will deal its combat damage to the defending player. Abilities that say “When this creature attacks and isn’t blocked” won’t trigger.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#4July 15, 2006· Wizards of the Coast
If the targeted creature has a “When this creature blocks” ability, it will trigger when Balduvian Warlord’s ability resolves and the creature blocks again.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#5July 15, 2006· Wizards of the Coast
If an attacking creature has an ability that triggers “When this creature becomes blocked,” it triggers when a creature blocks it due to the Warlord’s ability only if it was unblocked at that point.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#6July 15, 2006· Wizards of the Coast
If an attacking creature has a “When this creature becomes blocked by [a creature]” ability, it triggers when a creature blocks it due to the Warlord’s ability.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#7July 15, 2006· Wizards of the Coast
The attacking creature will become unblocked only if the targeted creature was the only one that blocked it this combat, even if all the other creatures that were blocking it are no longer on the battlefield or are no longer blocking it (even those removed with other Balduvian Warlords’ abilities).
No other card is named in this ruling.