Dáin IronfootHow it works & interactions with other cards

Weaponizing the Battlefield

When Dáin Ironfoot enters the battlefield, he creates a colorless Equipment artifact token named Axe. This token is a standard Equipment that grants the wearer +1/+0. Importantly, Dáin has a reflexive triggered ability: once the Axe is created, you immediately get to target a creature you control to attach that Axe to, bypassing the initial equip cost of {2}.

Double the Impact

Dáin’s second ability triggers whenever he is declared as an attacker. At that moment, the game checks every creature you control that is currently attacking. If an attacking creature is equipped with at least one Equipment (like the Axe token Dáin creates), it gains double strike until the end of the turn. This includes Dáin himself if he is equipped!

Common Timing Mistakes

A common mistake is forgetting that creatures must be equipped at the moment Dáin's attack trigger resolves to gain double strike. If you equip a creature after Dáin has already attacked, that creature will not retroactively gain double strike. Additionally, the reflexive trigger to attach the Axe happens only when the token is created; if the target creature is removed in response, the Axe remains on the battlefield unattached.

When to Play Dáin

Dáin is best played when you already have a board presence. Since his first ability can attach the Axe to any creature you control, you can immediately buff a creature that doesn't have summoning sickness. He shines in the combat phase, so ensure he is equipped before he swings to take full advantage of that devastating double strike.

Interaction examples

Immediate Equipment Synergy

Dáin IronfootSolemn Simulacrum

When Dáin Ironfoot enters the battlefield, his trigger goes on the stack. You create the Axe token, and then choose Solemn Simulacrum as the target for the reflexive 'When you do' trigger. The Axe is attached to the Golem immediately without paying {2}. Now, when you attack with both, Dáin's second ability will see that the Simulacrum is equipped, granting it double strike for the combat phase.

Doubling the Dwarven Might

Dáin IronfootRoaming Throne

If you have Roaming Throne on the battlefield with 'Dwarf' chosen as the creature type, Dáin Ironfoot’s abilities will trigger an additional time. When Dáin enters, you will create two Axe tokens and can attach them to two different creatures (or the same one). When Dáin attacks, his double strike ability triggers twice, though having double strike multiple times doesn't grant further benefits beyond the first instance.