Expendable TroopsHow it works & interactions with other cards

What it Does

Expendable Troops has a simple but effective activated ability that costs one white and one generic mana to cast. By tapping and sacrificing the creature, you deal 2 damage to a creature that is currently in combat. Because the sacrifice is part of the cost, your opponent cannot respond by trying to kill the Troops to stop the damage; they are already in the graveyard by the time the ability is on the stack.

Step-by-Step Resolution

First, you must wait for the combat phase to begin and for attackers or blockers to be declared. Once a creature is legally designated as 'attacking' or 'blocking,' you activate the ability by tapping Expendable Troops and putting them into your graveyard. You choose a target that meets the criteria. Finally, if the target is still legal when the ability resolves, it is dealt 2 damage. If the damage is lethal, the targeted creature is destroyed during the next check of state-based actions.

Common Mistakes

A frequent error is trying to use this ability outside of the combat phase. You cannot target a creature just because it has the 'vigilance' keyword or because it attacked on a previous turn; it must currently be an attacking or blocking creature. Additionally, remember that sacrificing the Troops is a cost. If the ability is countered or the target becomes illegal (for example, gaining Hexproof), you do not get your Expendable Troops back.

When to Play It

This card excels in limited environments where small, aggressive creatures dominate the early game. It forces your opponent to rethink their attacks, knowing that any creature with 2 or less toughness can be picked off at a moment's notice. It is best used to trade up, sacrificing your two-mana investment to destroy a more expensive or evasive threat.

Interaction examples

Defending Against Small Threats

Esper Sentinel

If your opponent attacks you with Esper Sentinel, it becomes an 'attacking creature.' Even if its power has been buffed to 2, Expendable Troops can be sacrificed to deal 2 damage to it. This happens during the declare attackers step, removing the Sentinel before it can deal combat damage to you.

Taking Down Evasive Blockers

Ornithopter of Paradise

Suppose you attack your opponent and they block your creature with Ornithopter of Paradise. Once it is declared as a blocker, it is a valid target for Expendable Troops. You can tap and sacrifice the Troops to deal 2 damage to the Ornithopter, destroying it and clearing the way for future turns, even though the Ornithopter has flying and your Troops do not.