Bloodline Keeper // Lord of LineageHow it works & interactions with other cards

Creating the Swarm

On its front face, Bloodline Keeper has a simple activated ability: tap it to create a 2/2 black Vampire creature token with flying. This ability does not require any mana, making it an efficient way to develop your board state every turn. Because the tokens themselves have flying, they are excellent for both offense and defense, especially in games where the ground is stalled.

The Transformation Process

To transform Bloodline Keeper into Lord of Lineage, you must pay one black mana and have five or more Vampires under your control. This count includes Bloodline Keeper itself and any Vampire tokens it has created. Once transformed, it becomes a 5/5 flier that gives all your other Vampires +2/+2. Crucially, transforming a creature does not cause it to tap or untap, nor does it give the creature 'summoning sickness' if you have controlled it since the beginning of your turn.

Strategy and Timing

One of the most effective ways to use Bloodline Keeper is to activate its token-generating ability on your opponent's end step. This keeps the Keeper untapped during your opponent's turn to block if necessary. If you already have four other Vampires, you can tap to create the fifth during the end step, then immediately pay the black mana to transform it before your turn begins, allowing you to attack with a buffed army right away.

Interaction examples

Building the Bloodline

Bloodline Keeper // Lord of LineageVampire

You control Bloodline Keeper and three Vampire tokens. At the end of your opponent's turn, you tap Bloodline Keeper to create a fourth Vampire token. You now control five Vampires in total. You can now spend one black mana to transform Bloodline Keeper into Lord of Lineage. Your four tokens immediately grow from 2/2 to 4/4 creatures due to the Lord's static buff.

Non-Vampire Interactions

Bloodline Keeper // Lord of LineageSolemn Simulacrum

You control Bloodline Keeper and Solemn Simulacrum. Although you have two creatures, Solemn Simulacrum is a Golem, not a Vampire. If you use Bloodline Keeper to create three tokens, you will control four Vampires and one Golem. Even though you have five total creatures, you cannot transform Bloodline Keeper because you do not meet the requirement of controlling five Vampires.

Doubling the Bloodline

Bloodline Keeper // Lord of LineageRoaming Throne

You have Roaming Throne on the battlefield with 'Vampire' chosen as the creature type. While Roaming Throne makes triggered abilities trigger twice, Bloodline Keeper's abilities are activated abilities (indicated by the colon). Therefore, Roaming Throne does not cause you to create two tokens when you tap the Keeper. However, Roaming Throne is a Vampire due to its own ability, so it counts toward the five Vampires needed to transform Bloodline Keeper.