Frontline SageHow it works & interactions with other cards

Understanding Exalted and Looting

Frontline Sage features two distinct abilities. Exalted is a triggered ability that provides a +1/+1 buff to a creature attacking alone. Its activated ability, often called 'looting,' costs one blue mana and requires you to tap the Sage to draw a card and then immediately discard a card. Note that you must complete both parts of the activated ability—drawing and discarding—before any other players can take actions.

Step-by-Step Resolution

When you declare a single creature as an attacker, the Exalted ability triggers and goes on the stack. Once it resolves, that creature gets +1/+1 until end of turn. For the activated ability, you pay the mana cost and tap the Sage. Upon resolution, you draw the top card of your library into your hand, and then you must choose one card from your hand to move to your graveyard. You cannot choose to skip the discard step even if you started with zero cards in hand.

Common Mistakes

A frequent error is thinking Exalted requires the Sage itself to attack. Exalted triggers regardless of which creature attacks, as long as exactly one creature is declared as an attacker during the Declare Attackers step. Another mistake is forgetting that tapping the Sage for its ability prevents it from being declared as an attacker later that turn, unless you have a way to untap it.

When to Play Frontline Sage

This card shines in 'voltron' or tempo decks where you plan to win with one large threat. Use the Exalted trigger to push damage through blockers while using the activated ability during your opponent's end step to dig for answers or land drops. It is particularly effective when you have excess lands or cards that benefit from being in the graveyard.

Interaction examples

Boosting a Solo Attacker

Solemn Simulacrum

If you control both cards and attack only with Solemn Simulacrum, the Frontline Sage's Exalted ability triggers. Solemn Simulacrum will become a 3/3 until end of turn, making it a more formidable threat while the Sage stays back safely.

Doubling the Buffs

Roaming Throne

If Roaming Throne enters the battlefield and you choose 'Human', it will see the Exalted ability of Frontline Sage trigger. When you attack alone with any creature, Exalted will trigger twice, giving that attacker +2/+2 instead of +1/+1.

Strategic Looting

During your opponent's turn, you can spend one blue mana and tap Frontline Sage to draw a card. If the card you draw is less useful than what is in your hand, or if you need to set up graveyard synergies, you discard a card to satisfy the ability's requirement.