Combat ResearchHow it works & interactions with other cards

Granting the Ability

Combat Research enchants a creature and gives that creature a triggered ability. This is an important distinction: the creature itself gains the text 'Whenever this creature deals combat damage to a player, draw a card.' Because the creature owns the ability, the player who currently controls the creature—not necessarily the player who owns the Aura—will be the one to draw the card if combat damage is dealt to a player.

Legendary Bonuses

While the card-draw trigger applies to any enchanted creature, Combat Research offers two significant bonuses if the creature is legendary. First, it provides a +1/+1 stat boost, helping the creature survive combat and hit harder. Second, it grants Ward {1}, forcing your opponents to pay an additional mana whenever they target the creature with a spell or ability. This tax applies to every target attempt, making it significantly harder for opponents to remove your legendary threat efficiently.

Common Pitfalls

A common mistake involves losing control of the enchanted creature. If an opponent uses a spell to take control of your creature, they now control the source of the draw trigger. If that creature hits you, your opponent draws the card. Additionally, keep in mind that the +1/+1 and Ward {1} bonuses are checked constantly; if a creature loses its legendary status while enchanted, these bonuses disappear immediately.

When to Play It

Since it only costs one Blue mana, Combat Research is best played early on an evasive creature to start drawing cards as soon as possible. It is also a great defensive tool for protecting legendary commanders, as the Ward ability acts as a soft counter to targeted removal spells that your opponents might be holding.

Interaction examples

Aggressive Card Draw

You cast Combat Research on a 1/1 creature with Flying. When that creature successfully attacks your opponent and deals 1 damage, the ability granted by the Aura triggers, allowing you to draw a card during the combat damage step.

Protecting the Legend

Mystic Remora

You enchant your legendary commander with Combat Research, giving it Ward {1}. An opponent casts a spell to destroy your commander. The Ward ability triggers, requiring them to pay {1}. If they also have to worry about the tax from your Mystic Remora for casting that noncreature spell, they may find themselves unable to afford both costs, effectively protecting your board.

Scaling Power

Urza's Saga

You use Urza's Saga to create a large Construct token. While the token is not legendary and won't get the Ward {1} bonus from Combat Research, attaching the Aura to the token ensures that every time your massive artifact creature connects, you replenish your hand to find more artifacts to grow the Construct further.