Cleric of the Forward Order 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
When this creature enters, you gain 2 life for each creature you control named Cleric of the Forward Order.
Complete guide
Cleric of the Forward Order is a quintessential white creature that rewards you for commitment to its ranks. It serves as a reliable way to stabilize your life total while establishing an early presence on the battlefield.
Strength in Numbers
This Human Cleric features an enters-the-battlefield ability that scales based on your board state. When it enters, the game checks how many creatures you control with the exact name Cleric of the Forward Order and awards you 2 life for each one found.
Resolution and Counting
The ability triggers the moment the creature hits the battlefield and goes on the stack. The actual amount of life you gain is determined only when the ability resolves. If the Cleric is still on the battlefield at that time, it counts itself toward the total. If it is destroyed in response to the trigger, it will not be counted, but any other copies you control will still contribute to the life gain.
When to Cast
Because this ability scales, playing multiple copies in a single turn or over consecutive turns is highly effective. It is best used when you need to pull ahead of aggressive decks, as a second or third copy can provide a significant life swing that many opponents cannot overcome.
Interaction examples
You cast your first Cleric of the Forward Order. When it enters the battlefield, its ability triggers. Upon resolution, the game sees you control one creature with that name (the one that just entered), so you gain 2 life.
Esper SentinelYou have an Esper Sentinel on the battlefield and cast Cleric of the Forward Order. Even though you control two creatures, only the one named Cleric of the Forward Order is counted. You gain 2 life.
Ornithopter of ParadiseYou use an Ornithopter of Paradise to produce mana to cast a second copy of Cleric of the Forward Order while another copy is already on the battlefield. When the new one enters, its ability counts both copies, granting you a total of 4 life.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Cleric of the Forward Order
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
Count the number of creatures named Cleric of the Forward Order you control as the ability resolves to determine how much life you gain. If the Cleric of the Forward Order with the ability that triggered is still on the battlefield, it will count itself.
No other card is named in this ruling.
Legal formats
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Meta decks with Cleric of the Forward Order
No archived Top 8 deck with this card yet.