Bearer of GloryHow it works & interactions with other cards

Dual-Purpose Utility

Bearer of Glory functions differently depending on whose turn it is. On your turn, it inherently possesses first strike, allowing it to deal combat damage before creatures without first strike or double strike. Its activated ability costs five mana and provides a +1/+1 buff to your entire board until the end of the current turn.

Resolution Breakdown

The first strike ability is a static effect that is automatically active as long as it is your turn. The activated ability requires four generic and one white mana. Once activated, it goes on the stack and, upon resolving, grants every creature you currently control +1/+1. This includes Bearer of Glory itself and any creatures that entered the battlefield before the ability resolved.

Strategic Timing

Timing is crucial for the activated ability. Since it affects all creatures you control, you should typically activate it after you have declared attackers but before blockers are chosen, or during the declare blockers step to save a creature from lethal damage. Note that creatures that enter the battlefield after the ability resolves will not receive the bonus.

Common Pitfalls

A common mistake is forgetting that first strike only applies during your turn; on your opponent's turn, Bearer of Glory will trade or take damage simultaneously with other creatures. Additionally, remember that the +1/+1 bonus is not a counter, so it will wear off during the cleanup step of the turn it was activated.

Interaction examples

Scaling Taxes

Esper Sentinel

If you control both cards and activate Bearer of Glory's ability, Esper Sentinel becomes a 2/2. This increases the tax your opponent must pay to prevent you from drawing a card when they cast their first noncreature spell, making your board state significantly more difficult to interact with.

Accelerating the Pump

Ornithopter of Paradise

Ornithopter of Paradise can be tapped to add the white mana needed for Bearer of Glory's activated ability. Because the ability targets 'creatures you control', both the Bearer and the Ornithopter will receive +1/+1, turning your mana producer into a 1/3 flying attacker or blocker for the rest of the turn.

Combat Dominance

During your combat phase, Bearer of Glory has first strike. If it is blocked by a 2/2 creature without first strike, Bearer of Glory deals 2 damage first, destroying the blocker before it can deal any damage back, allowing your Soldier to survive the encounter unscathed.