Fateshaper AspirantHow it works & interactions with other cards

Choosing Your Path

When Fateshaper Aspirant enters the battlefield, you must choose one of its two modes. The first mode targets a legendary card in your graveyard to return to your hand, while the second mode targets a creature on the battlefield to receive a +1/+1 counter and temporary keywords. You must choose the mode and the target as the ability is put onto the stack.

Resolving the Trigger

Once the ability resolves, the chosen effect takes place. If you chose the second mode, the target creature receives a +1/+1 counter that stays on it permanently, while the vigilance and indestructible keywords only last until the end of the current turn. If the target becomes illegal before the ability resolves (for example, if the graveyard card is exiled or the creature is destroyed in response), the entire ability fails to resolve and no effect occurs.

Strategic Timing

Because this is an 'enters' trigger, it is most effective when you have either a high-value legendary card already in your graveyard or a creature that needs to survive a combat phase. Since the second mode grants indestructible, you can use it to protect a key creature from most board-wipe effects or to make a safe attack without fear of losing your creature to blockers.

Common Mistakes

A common error is forgetting that the first mode can return any legendary card, not just creatures; this includes legendary artifacts, enchantments, or planeswalkers. Additionally, remember that indestructible does not prevent a creature from being sacrificed or having its toughness reduced to zero or less by effects like -1/-1 counters.

Interaction examples

Doubling the Fate

Roaming Throne

If you control Roaming Throne and have chosen 'Rhino' or 'Cleric' as its type, Fateshaper Aspirant's ability triggers twice when it enters. You can choose different modes for each trigger, such as returning a legendary card to your hand with the first and buffing a creature with the second.

Protecting the Golem

Solemn Simulacrum

When Fateshaper Aspirant enters, you can target Solemn Simulacrum with the second mode. The Golem receives a +1/+1 counter and gains indestructible. If an opponent tries to use a destruction spell on the Golem later that turn, it will survive, though its 'dies' trigger will not activate because it never left the battlefield.

Solo Recovery

If your graveyard contains a legendary card, you can play Fateshaper Aspirant to return that card to your hand. If your graveyard is empty, you can instead target Fateshaper Aspirant itself with its second mode, making it a 4/4 with vigilance and indestructible until the end of the turn.