Enlistment OfficerHow it works & interactions with other cards

Recruiting the Ranks

When Enlistment Officer enters the battlefield, its triggered ability looks at the top four cards of your library. You must reveal these cards to all players. Any card that has the 'Soldier' creature type on its type line is added to your hand, while non-Soldier cards are placed on the bottom of your library.

Resolving the Trigger

The ability follows a specific sequence: first, you reveal the top four cards. Second, you identify which ones are Soldiers. Third, you put those Soldiers into your hand. Finally, you take the remaining cards and place them on the bottom of your library in any order you choose. You do not have to reveal the order of the cards you put on the bottom.

Common Mistakes

A frequent error is forgetting that 'Soldier' must be a subtype of the card. If you reveal a card that produces Soldier tokens but isn't a Soldier itself, it stays on the bottom. Additionally, unlike some other search effects, this ability does not involve shuffling your library afterward.

When to Play It

This creature is best played in decks with a high density of Soldier cards to maximize the chance of drawing multiple cards. Since it has first strike, it is also a competent blocker against small aggressive creatures, making it useful in both the mid-game and defensive scenarios.

Interaction examples

Double Recruitment

Roaming Throne

If you have Roaming Throne on the battlefield with 'Soldier' chosen as the type, Enlistment Officer's ability will trigger twice. You will reveal the top four cards, put Soldiers in hand, put the rest on the bottom, and then repeat the entire process for the next four cards.

Finding Non-Soldier Artifacts

Solemn Simulacrum

If you reveal Solemn Simulacrum with Enlistment Officer, the Simulacrum will be put on the bottom of your library. Even though it is a creature, its type is Golem, not Soldier, so it cannot be added to your hand by this effect.