Fire Nation SoldierHow it works & interactions with other cards

What It Does

Fire Nation Soldier is a 2/3 Human Soldier with the keyword Haste. In Magic: The Gathering, creatures normally cannot attack or use abilities with the tap symbol the same turn they enter the battlefield. Haste explicitly ignores this rule, making Fire Nation Soldier a proactive threat that requires your opponent to have instant-speed answers.

How It Resolves

When you cast Fire Nation Soldier and it resolves, it enters the battlefield. Immediately, its Haste ability becomes active. During your combat phase on that same turn, you may declare it as an attacker. Unlike creatures without Haste, you do not need to wait for your next turn to utilize its power in combat or pay for costs involving the tap symbol.

Common Mistakes

A common point of confusion is how Haste interacts with control effects. If an opponent takes control of your Fire Nation Soldier, they can also attack with it immediately because it has Haste. However, remember that Haste does not protect the creature from 'enter the battlefield' effects or spells that target it before it can attack.

When to Play It

You should play Fire Nation Soldier when you need to maintain momentum or finish off a weakened opponent. Because it lacks defensive keywords, it is best utilized in aggressive decks that favor speed over long-term value. It serves as a reliable follow-up to other early-game threats.

Interaction examples

Rapid Deployment

You cast Fire Nation Soldier during your main phase. Once it enters the battlefield, you move to your combat phase and declare it as an attacker. Because of Haste, it does not suffer from summoning sickness, and your opponent must decide whether to block or take 2 damage immediately.

Synergy with Roaming Throne

Roaming Throne

If you have Roaming Throne on the battlefield with 'Human' or 'Soldier' chosen, it is important to note that Haste is a static ability, not a triggered ability. Therefore, Roaming Throne will not 'double' the Haste effect. However, if you have other triggered abilities related to your Fire Nation Soldier attacking, Roaming Throne would then trigger those an additional time.

Strategic Sequencing

Solemn Simulacrum

In a mid-game scenario, you might play Solemn Simulacrum first to secure a basic land card, which enters the battlefield tapped. Following up with Fire Nation Soldier allows you to maintain an offensive stance with a creature that can attack immediately, while the Simulacrum provides long-term resource advantage and a potential card draw later.