Goliath Paladin — ruling 1

The initiative is a designation a player can have. A player with the initiative designation is said to "have the initiative." The initiative carries two inherent rules. First, whenever a player takes the initiative, and at the beginning of the upkeep of the player with the initiative, that player ventures into Undercity. Second, whenever one or more creatures a player controls deal combat damage to the player who has the initiative, the first player takes the initiative. Also, some abilities will refer to having the initiative and provide other benefits.

Goliath Paladin — ruling 2

There is no initiative in a game until an effect instructs a player to take the initiative. Once a player is instructed to do this, they have the initiative until another player takes the initiative.

Goliath Paladin — ruling 3

Only one player can have the initiative at a time. As one player takes the initiative, any other player that had the initiative ceases to have it.

Goliath Paladin — ruling 4

A player who currently has the initiative may take the initiative again. This causes that player to venture into Undercity again, but does not cause them to have multiple initiative designations.

Goliath Paladin — ruling 5

If the player with the initiative leaves the game, the active player takes the initiative at the same time that player leaves the game. If the active player is leaving the game or if there is no active player, the next player in turn order takes the initiative.

Goliath Paladin — ruling 6

In a Two-Headed Giant game, if both players on a team deal combat damage to the player that has the initiative at the same time, the player with the initiative will choose the order of the triggered abilities. Then, as those abilities resolve, one team member takes the initiative (and ventures into Undercity) and then the other team member does the same. The last player to take the initiative keeps it until the initiative changes again.

Goliath Paladin — ruling 7

You cannot venture into Undercity unless instructed to do so, either because you have the initiative at the beginning of your upkeep or because you take the initiative. Notably, if you aren't in a dungeon and an effect instructs you to venture into the dungeon (not venture into Undercity), you can't start Undercity.

Goliath Paladin — ruling 8

Similarly, when instructed to venture into Undercity, you can't start a dungeon that isn't Undercity.

Goliath Paladin : règles, fonctionnement et interactions (MTG)

Goliath Paladin 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

Vigilance When this creature enters, you take the initiative.

Complete guide

Goliath Paladin is a formidable Giant Knight that brings the mechanics of the dungeon directly to the battlefield. By entering the fray, it grants you the initiative, allowing you to traverse the dangerous depths of Undercity for powerful rewards.

What It Does

Goliath Paladin is a 3/6 creature with Vigilance, meaning it can attack without tapping. Its primary impact, however, is its enters-the-battlefield ability: 'When this creature enters, you take the initiative.' This designation allows you to venture into the Undercity dungeon immediately and provides ongoing benefits at the start of your future upkeeps.

Resolving the Initiative

When Goliath Paladin enters, its ability triggers. Upon resolution, you 'take the initiative.' If no one had the initiative, you gain it; if another player had it, they lose it and you take it. Taking the initiative causes you to 'venture into Undercity.' If you aren't currently in a dungeon, you enter the Undercity dungeon at the Secret Entrance. If you are already in a dungeon (even one other than Undercity), you move to the next room of that dungeon instead.

Common Mistakes

A common point of confusion is how the initiative interacts with standard venturing. You cannot start the Undercity dungeon using a normal 'venture into the dungeon' effect; you must specifically be told to 'take the initiative' or 'venture into Undercity.' However, once you are inside the Undercity, any effect that says 'venture into the dungeon' will move you to the next room of the Undercity. Remember, only one player can hold the initiative at a time!

When to Play It

Goliath Paladin is excellent for stabilizing the board and generating value. With 6 toughness and Vigilance, it serves as a great blocker to protect your initiative designation. Play it when you want to start a dungeon clock or when you need to steal the initiative back from an opponent who dealt combat damage to you.

Interaction examples

Starting the Descent

When you cast Goliath Paladin and it enters an empty board, you take the initiative. Since you are not in a dungeon, you place the Undercity dungeon in the command zone and move your marker to the Secret Entrance room. You search your library for a basic land card, reveal it, and put it into your hand.

Doubling the Expedition

Roaming Throne

If you control Roaming Throne with 'Giant' or 'Knight' chosen, Goliath Paladin's ability triggers twice. The first trigger resolves: you take the initiative and enter the Secret Entrance of Undercity to find a land. The second trigger resolves: you take the initiative again. Even though you already have it, 'taking' it again forces you to venture further. You move to the next room, choosing either Forge to put counters on a creature or Lost Well to Scry 2.

Standard Value vs. Initiative

Solemn Simulacrum

You play Solemn Simulacrum to put a land onto the battlefield. Next turn, you play Goliath Paladin. By taking the initiative and entering the Secret Entrance, you put another land into your hand. This sequence allows you to thin your deck quickly while building a board of high-toughness creatures that make it difficult for opponents to steal the initiative back through combat damage.

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

How it works : Goliath Paladin

Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall

#1June 10, 2022· Wizards of the Coast
The initiative is a designation a player can have. A player with the initiative designation is said to "have the initiative." The initiative carries two inherent rules. First, whenever a player takes the initiative, and at the beginning of the upkeep of the player with the initiative, that player ventures into Undercity. Second, whenever one or more creatures a player controls deal combat damage to the player who has the initiative, the first player takes the initiative. Also, some abilities will refer to having the initiative and provide other benefits.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#2June 10, 2022· Wizards of the Coast
There is no initiative in a game until an effect instructs a player to take the initiative. Once a player is instructed to do this, they have the initiative until another player takes the initiative.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#3June 10, 2022· Wizards of the Coast
Only one player can have the initiative at a time. As one player takes the initiative, any other player that had the initiative ceases to have it.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#4June 10, 2022· Wizards of the Coast
A player who currently has the initiative may take the initiative again. This causes that player to venture into Undercity again, but does not cause them to have multiple initiative designations.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#5June 10, 2022· Wizards of the Coast
If the player with the initiative leaves the game, the active player takes the initiative at the same time that player leaves the game. If the active player is leaving the game or if there is no active player, the next player in turn order takes the initiative.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#6June 10, 2022· Wizards of the Coast
In a Two-Headed Giant game, if both players on a team deal combat damage to the player that has the initiative at the same time, the player with the initiative will choose the order of the triggered abilities. Then, as those abilities resolve, one team member takes the initiative (and ventures into Undercity) and then the other team member does the same. The last player to take the initiative keeps it until the initiative changes again.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#7June 10, 2022· Wizards of the Coast
You cannot venture into Undercity unless instructed to do so, either because you have the initiative at the beginning of your upkeep or because you take the initiative. Notably, if you aren't in a dungeon and an effect instructs you to venture into the dungeon (not venture into Undercity), you can't start Undercity.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#8June 10, 2022· Wizards of the Coast
Similarly, when instructed to venture into Undercity, you can't start a dungeon that isn't Undercity.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#9June 10, 2022· Wizards of the Coast
If you aren't in a dungeon when instructed to venture into Undercity, you will put Undercity into the command zone and move your venture marker to Secret Entrance (the first room).
No other card is named in this ruling.
#10June 10, 2022· Wizards of the Coast
If you're already in a dungeon when instructed to venture into Undercity, you move to the next room of that dungeon. If you are already in the last room, you will complete that dungeon and start Undercity. This is true whether you're already in Undercity or any other dungeon.
No other card is named in this ruling.