Bard the Bowman 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
Reach Whenever you draw your second card each turn, put a +1/+1 counter on target creature. It gains lifelink until end of turn.
Complete guide
Bard the Bowman is a precise marksman from Lake-town who rewards players for their consistency in card draw. This legendary Human Archer combines defensive Reach with an offensive buff that provides both power and survivability. By drawing your second card each turn, you can turn any creature on your board into a lifelinking threat.
Sharpshooting Mechanics
Bard the Bowman features a triggered ability that monitors how many cards you have drawn during a single turn. The ability triggers specifically on the second card drawn. It doesn't matter how you draw the cards—whether through your normal draw step, a spell, or a creature's ability—Bard will notice once the count hits two. Note that Bard does not need to be on the battlefield for the first draw, but he must be present when the second draw occurs to trigger.
Resolution Step-by-Step
First, you must draw your second card of the turn; if Bard is on the battlefield, the ability is placed on the stack. Second, you choose a target creature you control for the ability. Third, as the ability resolves, you place a +1/+1 counter on the targeted creature. Finally, that same creature gains lifelink until the end of the current turn, allowing you to regain life when it deals damage.
Common Pitfalls
A common mistake is assuming Bard triggers on every card draw after the first. He only triggers on the second card. If you draw three or four cards at once, the ability still only triggers once for that turn. Additionally, if Bard enters the battlefield after you have already drawn two or more cards that turn, he will not trigger at all until your next turn.
When to Deploy Bard
Bard is most effective in decks that can reliably draw an extra card during their own turn or even on an opponent's turn. Because he has Reach, he serves as an excellent deterrent against flying attackers while your other creatures benefit from his combat buffs. Use him to stabilize your life total by targeting your largest creature with the lifelink trigger.
Interaction examples
Solemn SimulacrumIf it is your turn and you have already drawn your card for the draw step, you have drawn one card. If your Solemn Simulacrum dies later that turn, its ability allows you to draw a card. This becomes your second card of the turn, triggering Bard the Bowman. You can then put a +1/+1 counter and lifelink on Bard himself or another creature you control.
Roaming ThroneIf you control Roaming Throne and chose 'Human' or 'Archer' as it entered, its ability will affect Bard. When you draw your second card of the turn, Bard's ability triggers. Roaming Throne causes it to trigger an additional time. You can choose the same creature for both triggers to give it two +1/+1 counters, or target two different creatures to give them each a counter and lifelink.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Bard the Bowman
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
If you draw your second card in a turn while recruiting, the Human Soldier you create can be chosen as the target of Bard the Bowman's ability.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #2· Wizards of the Coast
The triggered ability can trigger only once each turn. It doesn't matter whether Bard the Bowman was on the battlefield when the first card was drawn. If he's not on the battlefield when the second card is drawn, the ability can't trigger at all that turn. It won't trigger when the third or fourth card is drawn.
No other card is named in this ruling.
Legal formats
Commentaires
- Sois le premier à commenter cette carte.
Read next
Meta decks with Bard the Bowman
No archived Top 8 deck with this card yet.