Jenny FlintHow it works & interactions with other cards

Understanding Partner and Training

Jenny Flint features the 'Partner with Madame Vastra' keyword, which serves two purposes. In Commander, both can serve as your commanders simultaneously. Additionally, when Jenny enters the battlefield, you may have a target player search their library for Madame Vastra to put into their hand. Her Training ability is a combat trigger; it only triggers at the moment attackers are declared if another attacking creature has power strictly greater than Jenny's current power.

Step-by-Step Ability Resolution

When you declare attackers, the game checks if Jenny Flint and a stronger creature are attacking; if so, Training triggers and goes on the stack. Once triggered, the ability will resolve and give Jenny a +1/+1 counter even if the stronger creature is removed or its power is reduced before resolution. Separately, whenever you sacrifice a Clue or Food token for any reason, Jenny's last ability triggers. You choose another target creature you control, and upon resolution, that creature receives a +1/+1 counter.

Common Pitfalls

A common mistake is trying to trigger Training by increasing another creature's power after Jenny has already been declared as an attacker; the check only happens once during the declaration step. Additionally, remember that Jenny's sacrifice trigger cannot target herself. It specifically states 'another target creature you control,' so you must have a different valid target on the board to utilize the counter.

Strategic Timing

To maximize Jenny, you should play her when you have a way to generate and sacrifice tokens. Since Madame Vastra creates Clues and Food when she destroys creatures, the pair creates a powerful engine. Use Jenny's First Strike to win combat trades, and time your Clue sacrifices during your opponent's turn to grow your other blockers and disrupt their combat math.

Interaction examples

The Paternoster Investigation

Jenny FlintMadame Vastra

First, you cast Jenny Flint. When she enters the battlefield, her 'Partner' ability triggers, allowing you to search your library for Madame Vastra and put her into your hand. Later, you attack with both. If Madame Vastra (3/3) attacks alongside Jenny (2/2), Jenny's Training triggers to make her a 3/3. When Madame Vastra deals damage to a blocker and it dies, she creates a Food and a Clue. You can then sacrifice the Food to gain life, which triggers Jenny to put a +1/+1 counter on Madame Vastra.

Detective Doubling

Jenny FlintRoaming Throne

With Roaming Throne on the battlefield naming 'Human' or 'Detective', Jenny Flint becomes twice as effective. When she attacks with a stronger creature, Training triggers twice, giving her two +1/+1 counters. Furthermore, if you sacrifice a Clue token, her triggered ability triggers twice, allowing you to put two counters on another target creature (like the Roaming Throne itself).

Resource Management

Jenny FlintSolemn Simulacrum

If you attack with both Jenny Flint (2/2) and Solemn Simulacrum (2/2), Training will not trigger because the Golem's power is not greater than Jenny's. However, if you later sacrifice a Food token, you can use Jenny's ability to put a +1/+1 counter on the Solemn Simulacrum. Now, the Golem is a 3/3. On your next turn, if you attack with both, Jenny's Training will trigger because the Golem now has greater power.