Enduring Bondwarden — ruling 1

Enduring Bondwarden’s last ability puts counters that were on the creature with the ability onto the target creature, not just its +1/+1 counters.

Enduring Bondwarden — ruling 2

Enduring Bondwarden’s last ability doesn’t cause you to move counters from the creature with the ability onto the target creature. Rather, you put the same number of each kind of counter the first creature had when it died onto the target creature.

Enduring Bondwarden — ruling 3

In some unusual cases, you may end up putting the appropriate counters on more than one permanent. For example, if you control The Ozolith when Enduring Bondwarden dies, you’ll put the appropriate number of each kind of counter onto both The Ozolith and the target creature.

Enduring Bondwarden — ruling 4

If the creature with Enduring Bondwarden’s last ability has -1/-1 counters on it when it dies, that ability will include those as well. This may result in the recipient also dying.

Enduring Bondwarden — ruling 5

If a backup ability targets the creature with backup, that creature will get +1/+1 counters, but it won’t gain additional abilities.

Enduring Bondwarden — ruling 6

If a backup ability causes another creature to gain abilities, the creature with backup will still have those abilities.

Enduring Bondwarden — ruling 7

If a permanent enters the battlefield as a copy of a card with a backup ability or a token is created that is a copy of that card, the order of the printed abilities is maintained.

Enduring Bondwarden — ruling 8

Backup confers only abilities that are actually printed below it. Any abilities that are gained by the permanent are ignored, including abilities gained due to a resolving spell or ability or copy effects.

Enduring Bondwarden : règles, fonctionnement et interactions (MTG)

Enduring Bondwarden 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

Backup 1 (When this creature enters, put a +1/+1 counter on target creature. If that's another creature, it gains the following ability until end of turn.) When this creature dies, put its counters on target creature you control.

Complete guide

Enduring Bondwarden is a resilient one-drop that ensures your resources aren't wasted when your units fall in battle. By utilizing the Backup mechanic, it allows you to pass its essence—and its counters—to your most important creatures. This Scout is the perfect tool for aggressive decks that need to maintain momentum despite removal.

Understanding Backup 1

When Enduring Bondwarden enters the battlefield, you choose a target creature. You put a +1/+1 counter on it, and if it is another creature, that creature gains the Bondwarden's death trigger until end of turn. The ability that is granted specifically allows you to put all counters that were on the dying creature onto another target creature you control.

The Step-by-Step Resolution

First, the Backup ability triggers and targets a creature. Once it resolves, the counter is placed and the ability is granted. If that creature later dies during that same turn, its triggered ability goes on the stack, targeting another creature you control. When this resolves, you check how many and what kind of counters were on the dying creature at the moment it left the battlefield, then place that many of each kind on the new target.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

A common misconception is that only +1/+1 counters are moved. In reality, all types of counters, including -1/-1 counters or ability counters, are replicated on the new target. Additionally, remember that the Backup ability only grants the death trigger until the end of the current turn. If the target creature dies on a later turn, it will no longer have the ability to pass its counters.

Strategic Timing

Play Enduring Bondwarden when you have a high-value creature that your opponent is likely to target with removal. By granting that creature the 'death trigger,' you force your opponent into a difficult choice: let your creature live, or kill it and allow its power to be transferred to something else on your board.

Interaction examples

Scaling Taxes

Esper Sentinel

You cast Enduring Bondwarden and target Esper Sentinel with the Backup 1 ability. Esper Sentinel receives a +1/+1 counter, increasing its power and making its tax ability harder to pay. If your opponent casts a spell to destroy Esper Sentinel this turn, its new death trigger will fire, allowing you to move its +1/+1 counter onto the Enduring Bondwarden or another creature you control.

Protecting Your Mana

Ornithopter of Paradise

If you target Ornithopter of Paradise with Backup 1, the Thopter becomes a 13/3 and gains the death trigger. Should the Thopter be destroyed in combat that turn, you can move its +1/+1 counter to another creature, ensuring that the temporary boost provided by the Scout persists on your battlefield.

Self-Targeting

If you have no other creatures, you must target Enduring Bondwarden itself with its own Backup ability. It will receive a +1/+1 counter and become a 2/2. However, because it targeted itself, it does not gain an 'additional' ability; it simply retains its printed ability, which will still trigger whenever it dies regardless of which turn it is.

Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.

How it works : Enduring Bondwarden

Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall

#1April 14, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
Enduring Bondwarden’s last ability puts counters that were on the creature with the ability onto the target creature, not just its +1/+1 counters.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#2April 14, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
Enduring Bondwarden’s last ability doesn’t cause you to move counters from the creature with the ability onto the target creature. Rather, you put the same number of each kind of counter the first creature had when it died onto the target creature.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#3April 14, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
In some unusual cases, you may end up putting the appropriate counters on more than one permanent. For example, if you control The Ozolith when Enduring Bondwarden dies, you’ll put the appropriate number of each kind of counter onto both The Ozolith and the target creature.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#4April 14, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
If the creature with Enduring Bondwarden’s last ability has -1/-1 counters on it when it dies, that ability will include those as well. This may result in the recipient also dying.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#5April 14, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
If a backup ability targets the creature with backup, that creature will get +1/+1 counters, but it won’t gain additional abilities.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#6April 14, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
If a backup ability causes another creature to gain abilities, the creature with backup will still have those abilities.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#7April 14, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
If a permanent enters the battlefield as a copy of a card with a backup ability or a token is created that is a copy of that card, the order of the printed abilities is maintained.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#8April 14, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
Backup confers only abilities that are actually printed below it. Any abilities that are gained by the permanent are ignored, including abilities gained due to a resolving spell or ability or copy effects.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#9April 14, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
The abilities that backup grants to the target creature are determined only once, at the time the ability triggers. They won’t change if the permanent with backup loses any abilities before the backup ability resolves.
No other card is named in this ruling.