Icewind StalwartHow it works & interactions with other cards

The Protection Fighting Style

When Icewind Stalwart enters the battlefield, its triggered ability allows you to exile up to one target non-Warrior creature you control. Immediately after being exiled, that creature returns to the battlefield under its owner's control. This 'flicker' effect happens all during the resolution of the ability, meaning no player can cast spells or activate abilities while the creature is in exile.

Resolution Step-by-Step

First, Icewind Stalwart enters the battlefield and its ability triggers. You choose a target non-Warrior creature you control. As the ability resolves, the target is moved to the exile zone. Any Auras attached to it are put into their owners' graveyards, and Equipment becomes unattached. If the target was a token, it ceases to exist. Finally, the card returns to the battlefield as a brand-new object with no memory of its previous state, meaning it no longer has any counters it previously held and is unaffected by 'until end of turn' effects that were targeting it.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

The most important restriction to remember is that Icewind Stalwart cannot target another Warrior creature; its protection is reserved for those outside its martial class. Additionally, players often forget that the returned creature will have summoning sickness unless it has Haste, as it is considered a new object entering the battlefield. Lastly, note that if you exile a token, it disappears forever and will not return.

Strategic Timing

Use Icewind Stalwart to trigger 'Enters the Battlefield' (ETB) effects a second time for maximum value. It is also an excellent tool for saving a key creature from an opponent's enchantment, such as an aura that prevents it from attacking, or for removing harmful counters like -1/-1 counters.

Interaction examples

Maximizing Mana Ramp

Solemn Simulacrum

If you control Solemn Simulacrum, you can play Icewind Stalwart and target the Golem. The Golem is exiled and immediately returns, triggering its ability again to let you search for another basic land. Note that the Golem's 'dies' ability does not trigger because it was exiled, not put into the graveyard.

Doubling the Stalwart's Impact

Roaming Throne

If you have Roaming Throne on the battlefield with 'Tiefling' chosen as the creature type, Icewind Stalwart's ability will trigger twice when it enters. This allows you to exile and return two different non-Warrior creatures, or even flicker the same creature twice to get multiple entry triggers from a single card.

Resetting the Machine

When Icewind Stalwart enters alone, you can use its ability to target a creature you control that has been neutralized by an opponent's 'Pacifism' style aura. By flickering that creature, the aura is put into the graveyard, and your creature returns to the field ready to fight again on the next turn.