Burrenton BombardierHow it works & interactions with other cards

Dual Modes of Utility

Burrenton Bombardier can be cast as a 2/2 creature with Flying for three mana, serving as an efficient evasive threat. Alternatively, it features the Reinforce 2 keyword, which is an activated ability that functions only while the card is in your hand. By paying its Reinforce cost and discarding the card, you place two +1/+1 counters on a target creature.

How Reinforce Resolves

To use Reinforce, you pay the mana cost and discard Burrenton Bombardier as the activation cost. This ability goes on the stack and requires a legal target creature. If the target creature becomes illegal before the ability resolves (for example, if it leaves the battlefield), the ability fails to resolve and no counters are placed. Because Reinforce is an activated ability and not a spell, it cannot be countered by traditional 'counterspell' effects that only target spells.

Strategic Timing and Common Pitfalls

A common mistake is forgetting that Reinforce is an instant-speed ability, meaning you can use it during the declare blockers step to save a creature or push through extra damage. However, remember that once you discard Burrenton Bombardier to activate Reinforce, the card is in the graveyard; you cannot later decide to cast it as a creature. Additionally, Reinforce does not trigger 'enters the battlefield' effects because the card never enters the battlefield.

Interaction examples

Bolstering the Golem

Solemn Simulacrum

You have Solemn Simulacrum on the battlefield. During your opponent's turn, they attack with a 3/3 creature. You activate the Reinforce ability of Burrenton Bombardier from your hand, paying three mana and discarding it. You target Solemn Simulacrum. Once the ability resolves, Solemn Simulacrum becomes a 4/4 creature, allowing it to survive the combat and destroy the attacking 3/3.

Reinforce and Triggered Abilities

Roaming Throne

If you have Roaming Throne on the battlefield with 'Kithkin' chosen as the creature type, it is important to note that Reinforce is an activated ability, not a triggered ability. Therefore, Roaming Throne will not cause the Reinforce effect to happen an additional time. You will simply discard Burrenton Bombardier and put two +1/+1 counters on Roaming Throne as normal.