Faithbearer PaladinHow it works & interactions with other cards

Understanding Lifelink

Faithbearer Paladin features lifelink, a static ability that changes the result of the damage it deals. Unlike older triggered abilities that might go on the stack, lifelink happens simultaneously with the damage. If Faithbearer Paladin deals 3 damage to a player or creature, you gain 3 life at the exact same moment, preventing you from losing the game if your life total would have hit zero from a simultaneous combat strike.

How It Resolves Step by Step

When Faithbearer Paladin enters combat, you first declare it as an attacker or blocker. Once it moves to the damage step, it deals damage equal to its power (3) to the defending player or the creature it is blocking. Simultaneously, your life total is adjusted upward by that same amount. This effect applies to any damage it deals, including non-combat damage if an effect causes it to deal damage elsewhere.

Common Mistakes

A common misconception is that lifelink is a triggered ability that can be responded to; however, it is a static ability. You cannot 'respond' to the life gain to try and kill the player before it happens. Additionally, if Faithbearer Paladin deals damage to a creature with high toughness, you still only gain life equal to the damage actually dealt (usually its power), not the creature's toughness.

When to Play It

With a mana cost of five, Faithbearer Paladin is a mid-to-late game play designed to stabilize your board. It is most effective when your opponent is playing an aggressive deck, as the 4 toughness makes it a difficult blocker to remove, and the lifelink helps claw back life lost in the early turns.

Interaction examples

The Knight and the Golem

Solemn Simulacrum

If Faithbearer Paladin attacks and is blocked by Solemn Simulacrum, both creatures deal damage simultaneously. Faithbearer Paladin deals 3 damage to the Golem, and you immediately gain 3 life. Solemn Simulacrum deals 2 damage to the Paladin. After damage is dealt, Solemn Simulacrum is destroyed and its 'dies' trigger goes on the stack, allowing its controller to draw a card.

Type Synergy with the Throne

Roaming Throne

When you play Roaming Throne, you choose 'Human' or 'Knight'. While Roaming Throne doubles triggered abilities, note that Lifelink on Faithbearer Paladin is a static ability, not a triggered one. Therefore, Roaming Throne does not cause you to gain double life from the Paladin's attacks. However, both creatures are formidable blockers together, and the Throne benefits from any other actual triggered abilities your Knights might have.