Galadhrim Brigade — ruling 1

You may pay the squad cost any number of times. You will get a token that is a copy of that permanent for each time you paid the squad cost. If you paid the squad cost multiple times, the tokens will all enter the battlefield simultaneously.

Galadhrim Brigade — ruling 2

If the spell is countered, the squad ability will not trigger, and no tokens will be created.

Galadhrim Brigade — ruling 3

The tokens created by the squad ability aren't "cast," so any abilities that trigger when a spell is cast won't trigger for the copies.

Galadhrim Brigade — ruling 4

If, for some reason, the creature doesn't have the squad ability when it's on the battlefield, the ability won't trigger, even if you've paid the squad cost one or more times.

Galadhrim Brigade : règles, fonctionnement et interactions (MTG)

Galadhrim Brigade is one of those cards players keep asking about. Here is, in plain words, what its official text says, the rulings published by Wizards of the Coast, and the combos players actually run.

Official card text

Squad (As an additional cost to cast this spell, you may pay any number of times. When this creature enters, create that many tokens that are copies of it.) Other Elves you control get +1/+1.

Complete guide

Hailing from the golden woods of Lothlórien, Galadhrim Brigade is a versatile Elf Soldier that can single-handedly muster an entire army. This card serves as both an efficient lord and a scaling threat that rewards you for having excess mana during the later stages of a match.

Understanding the Squad Mechanic

Galadhrim Brigade features the Squad keyword, which functions as an additional cost you can pay as many times as you can afford when casting the spell. For each {1}{G} spent this way, you will create a token copy of Galadhrim Brigade when it enters the battlefield. Because these tokens are copies, they also possess the ability to buff other Elves you control, leading to exponential power growth on your board.

Step-by-Step Resolution

When you cast Galadhrim Brigade, you first declare how many times you are paying the Squad cost. Once the spell resolves and the creature enters the battlefield, its triggered ability goes on the stack. If the original spell is countered, the ability never triggers and no tokens are created. However, once the ability is on the stack, it will resolve even if the original Galadhrim Brigade is removed from the battlefield, though the tokens will enter as 1/1 creatures until another Elf lord is present.

Strategic Timing and Placement

Since the tokens enter simultaneously, they all see each other for the purpose of their +1/+1 anthem effects. A single Galadhrim Brigade is a 2/2 that buffs others, but paying the Squad cost just once results in two 3/3 creatures. This makes it a powerful mana sink in the late game, as every additional copy adds a cumulative +1/+1 bonus to every other Elf you control.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

It is important to remember that the tokens created by the Squad ability are not 'cast'. Abilities that trigger upon casting a spell will only fire once for the original card, regardless of how many times you paid the Squad cost. Additionally, the anthem effect only applies to 'other' Elves; a lone Galadhrim Brigade does not buff itself.

Interaction examples

Building a Small Garrison

You cast Galadhrim Brigade and pay the Squad cost once for a total of {3}{G}{G}. When it enters, you create one token copy. Because each Brigade gives 'other' Elves +1/+1, the original and the token each provide a bonus to the other, resulting in two 3/3 creatures on the battlefield.

Massive Army Scaling

If you have nine mana, you can cast Galadhrim Brigade and pay the Squad cost three times. You will end up with the original creature and three tokens. Since each of the four creatures gives the others +1/+1, you will have four 4/4 Elves, providing a total of 16 power from a single card.

Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.

How it works : Galadhrim Brigade

Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall

#1November 3, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
You may pay the squad cost any number of times. You will get a token that is a copy of that permanent for each time you paid the squad cost. If you paid the squad cost multiple times, the tokens will all enter the battlefield simultaneously.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#2November 3, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
If the spell is countered, the squad ability will not trigger, and no tokens will be created.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#3November 3, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
The tokens created by the squad ability aren't "cast," so any abilities that trigger when a spell is cast won't trigger for the copies.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#4November 3, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
If, for some reason, the creature doesn't have the squad ability when it's on the battlefield, the ability won't trigger, even if you've paid the squad cost one or more times.
No other card is named in this ruling.