Cloaked CadetHow it works & interactions with other cards

Understanding Training and Drawing

Cloaked Cadet features the Training keyword, which allows it to gain a +1/+1 counter when attacking alongside a more powerful creature. Additionally, it has a separate triggered ability that lets you draw a card whenever one or more +1/+1 counters are placed on Humans you control. Keep in mind that this draw ability is limited to once each turn, regardless of how many Humans receive counters simultaneously.

Step-by-Step Resolution

First, you must declare attackers; Cloaked Cadet and another creature with greater power must both be declared at the same time for Training to trigger. Once the Training ability is on the stack, it will resolve even if the other creature is removed or its power is reduced. When the +1/+1 counter is finally placed on Cloaked Cadet, its second ability triggers, allowing you to draw one card. Because it says 'once each turn', subsequent counters placed on Humans later in that same turn will not trigger another draw.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

A common error is trying to trigger Training by increasing a creature's power after attackers have already been declared; the power check only happens at the moment of declaration. Another mistake involves the draw limit: if you put counters on three different Humans at once using a single spell, you still only draw one card because the ability checks if 'one or more' Humans received 'one or more' counters.

Strategic Timing

To maximize Cloaked Cadet, time your counter-placing effects on your opponent's turn. Since the draw ability triggers once per turn (not once per round), you can draw a card on your turn through Training and another card on an opponent's turn using an instant-speed effect that places a +1/+1 counter on a Human.

Interaction examples

Double the Training with Roaming Throne

Roaming Throne

If Roaming Throne enters the battlefield naming Human, it becomes a Human itself. When Cloaked Cadet and Roaming Throne attack together (since the Throne has 4 power and the Cadet has 2), Cloaked Cadet's training ability triggers twice. However, even though two separate training triggers put counters on it, Cloaked Cadet's draw ability will only trigger on the first instance because of its 'once each turn' restriction.

The Power Check

Solemn Simulacrum

If you attack with Cloaked Cadet (2/4) and Solemn Simulacrum (2/2), training does not trigger because the Simulacrum does not have greater power. Even if you use a spell to buff the Simulacrum after it is declared as an attacker, the window for training to trigger has already passed. To get the counter and the card draw, Cloaked Cadet must be attacking with a creature that already has at least 3 power at the moment attackers are chosen.