Ezio, Brash NoviceHow it works & interactions with other cards

Growing Through Combat

Ezio features a triggered ability that triggers whenever he is declared as an attacker. Each time this happens, you place a +1/+1 counter on him. This growth is permanent, meaning he becomes a larger threat with every passing turn. Unlike temporary buffs, these counters remain on Ezio even after combat ends, scaling his effectiveness for the rest of the game.

Achieving Assassin Status

The second part of Ezio's ability is a static effect that checks how many counters are currently on him. Note that these don't have to be +1/+1 counters specifically; any type of counter counts toward the requirement. Once he has two or more counters, he gains the First Strike keyword and the Assassin creature type. If he ever drops below two counters, he immediately loses these additional attributes.

Timing and Damage Steps

It is important to understand how First Strike interacts with the combat phase. If Ezio gains his second counter during the 'declare attackers' step, he will be eligible to deal damage during the first-strike combat damage step. However, if he somehow loses his counters after dealing first-strike damage but before the regular damage step, he will not deal damage a second time unless he has double strike.

When to Deploy Ezio

Because Ezio needs to attack to grow, he is best played early in the game when opponents are less likely to have profitable blockers. Since his transformation depends on the number of counters, look for ways to proliferate or add counters through other spells to accelerate his transformation into an Assassin.

Interaction examples

Synergy with Power-Based Taxing

Esper Sentinel

When Ezio attacks, his triggered ability puts a +1/+1 counter on him. If you have other effects that care about the power of your creatures, like Esper Sentinel, Ezio's growth makes your opponent's spells more expensive to cast. If Esper Sentinel itself gains counters alongside Ezio, your board becomes increasingly difficult for your opponent to interact with.

Aggressive Pressure and Treasures

Professional Face-Breaker

Once Ezio has two counters, he gains First Strike. If you attack with both Ezio and Professional Face-Breaker, Ezio will deal damage first. If he deals combat damage to a player, Professional Face-Breaker's ability triggers, creating a Treasure token. Because Ezio is likely to survive combat thanks to First Strike, you can reliably generate Treasures and exile cards for future plays.

Scaling the Assassin

On Ezio's first attack, he gains one counter and is a 3/3 Human. On his second attack, the trigger adds a second counter. As soon as that second counter is placed, his static ability applies: he becomes a 4/4 Human Assassin with First Strike before the opponent even declares blockers.