Clockwork CondorHow it works & interactions with other cards

Built for Flight, Not for Endurance

Clockwork Condor enters the battlefield with three +1/+1 counters, making it a 3/3 creature. Unlike many modern creatures, its power and toughness are entirely dependent on these counters since its base stats are 0/0. Its primary drawback is a triggered ability that occurs 'at end of combat' whenever it is declared as an attacker or a blocker.

Navigating the End of Combat

The removal of a counter is a delayed triggered ability that goes on the stack during the 'End of Combat' step. This happens after damage has already been dealt. If Clockwork Condor takes lethal damage during the 'Declare Blockers' or 'Combat Damage' steps, it will be destroyed and put into the graveyard before the end-of-combat trigger can resolve. If it survives the damage, the trigger will then remove one counter.

Managing the Countdown

A common mistake is forgetting that the counter removal is mandatory. Even if removing the counter would reduce the Condor's toughness to zero and cause it to die, you must still remove it if the ability triggers. However, because it only triggers at the end of combat, you can safely use the Condor to block a creature and deal damage with its current stats before it weakens or disappears.

Strategic Deployment

You should play Clockwork Condor when you need an immediate aerial presence to pressure an opponent or stop a small flyer. Since it is an artifact creature, it shares synergies with other constructs, but be wary of effects that double its triggers, as these will cause its internal clock to wind down twice as fast.

Interaction examples

Double the Wear and Tear

Roaming Throne

If you have Roaming Throne on the battlefield and chose 'Bird' as the creature type, Clockwork Condor's ability will trigger an additional time. When the end of combat step begins after the Condor attacks or blocks, you will be forced to remove two +1/+1 counters instead of just one. This effectively cuts the lifespan of your Condor in half.

The Ultimate Sacrifice

Solemn Simulacrum

If your opponent attacks with a 3/3 Solemn Simulacrum, you can block with a fresh Clockwork Condor. Both creatures will deal 3 damage to each other during the Combat Damage step and die simultaneously. Because Clockwork Condor is no longer on the battlefield when the End of Combat step begins, its ability to remove a counter will not trigger, as the source of the ability is gone.

The Final Flight

If Clockwork Condor has only one +1/+1 counter remaining and it attacks, it will deal 1 damage during the Combat Damage step. Once the End of Combat step begins, the trigger goes on the stack and removes that final counter. Clockwork Condor, now a 0/0, will be put into the graveyard as a state-based action immediately after the ability finishes resolving.