Herald of War 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
Flying Whenever this creature attacks, put a +1/+1 counter on it. Angel spells and Human spells you cast costless to cast for each +1/+1 counter on this creature.
Complete guide
Herald of War is a powerful Angel that grows stronger with every strike while inspiring your army to join the fray for less mana. By utilizing +1/+1 counters, she reduces the logistical strain of casting your most powerful Angel and Human spells. Whether you are leading a legion of soldiers or a host of divine beings, this creature is a centerpiece for any aggressive tribal strategy.
Scaling Power and Cost Reduction
Herald of War has a triggered ability that occurs whenever she attacks, allowing her to grow larger by gaining a +1/+1 counter. Beyond her physical stats, she possesses a static ability that checks the total number of +1/+1 counters on her. For every such counter, the generic mana cost of any Angel or Human spell you cast is reduced by one. This reduction applies to all +1/+1 counters currently on her, including those from other spells or effects, not just the ones she gains through her own attacking trigger.
Calculating the Total Cost
When casting an Angel or Human, you must follow a specific order to determine the final cost. Start with the mana cost (or an alternative cost like Flashback), add any cost increases (such as Kicker or taxes like Ward), and finally subtract the cost reduction provided by Herald of War's counters. Note that this reduction only applies to generic mana; it cannot reduce the specific colored mana requirements of a spell. Even if the total cost is reduced to zero, the mana value of the spell remains unchanged based on its printed mana cost.
Timing and Strategy
Because the Herald's counter-adding ability triggers upon attacking, the counter is placed on her during the Declare Attackers step. This means she becomes larger before blockers are even chosen and before combat damage is dealt. Consequently, any Human or Angel spells you cast in your second main phase will benefit from that newly added counter. If a creature spell happens to have both the Angel and Human subtypes, the reduction is still only applied once based on the number of counters; it does not double the reduction.
Interaction examples
Roaming ThroneIf you control Roaming Throne and have chosen 'Angel', the Herald of War's attack ability triggers twice. You will put two +1/+1 counters on her instead of one. This effectively doubles the speed at which your Angel and Human spells become cheaper to cast.
Solemn SimulacrumWhile Herald of War provides a significant discount to specific tribes, she does not assist with all creatures. Even if Herald of War has five +1/+1 counters on her, Solemn Simulacrum will still cost four mana to cast. This is because Solemn Simulacrum is a Golem, and the Herald's reduction ability strictly applies to spells with the Angel or Human subtype.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Herald of War
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
The +1/+1 counter is put on Herald of War before blockers are declared and combat damage is dealt.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #2· Wizards of the Coast
The cost reduction is based on the total number of +1/+1 counters on Herald of War, not just the ones put on it by its own ability.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #3· Wizards of the Coast
If there are additional costs to cast a creature spell, such as a kicker cost, apply those increases before applying cost reductions.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #4· Wizards of the Coast
A creature spell that's both an Angel and a Human will cost
less to cast for each +1/+1 counter on Herald of War.No other card is named in this ruling.
- #5· Wizards of the Coast
To determine the total cost of a spell, start with the mana cost or alternative cost (such as a flashback cost) you're paying, add any cost increases, then apply any cost reductions. The mana value of the spell is determined only by its mana cost, no matter what the total cost to cast the spell was.
No other card is named in this ruling.
Legal formats
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Meta decks with Herald of War
No archived Top 8 deck with this card yet.