Jeskai BarricadeHow it works & interactions with other cards

What It Does

Jeskai Barricade is a 0/4 creature with Flash and Defender. Its main feature is its triggered ability: when it enters the battlefield, you have the option to return one other target creature you control to its owner's hand. This is an optional 'may' ability, meaning you can choose to let your other creatures stay on the battlefield if you prefer.

How It Resolves

First, you cast Jeskai Barricade using Flash, often during an opponent's turn. Once it successfully enters the battlefield, its triggered ability goes on the stack, and you must choose a legal target creature you control (other than the Barricade itself). When the ability resolves, you decide whether to return that creature to your hand. If the target becomes illegal before resolution, the entire ability fails and nothing is returned.

Common Mistakes

The most common mistake is attempting to target Jeskai Barricade with its own ability; the text explicitly states it must be 'another' target creature. Players also sometimes forget that because it has Defender, it cannot be declared as an attacker unless another effect changes the rules of combat. Finally, remember that returning a creature is a choice made upon resolution, but the target must be chosen when the ability is put on the stack.

When to Play It

You should play Jeskai Barricade to respond to removal spells or to reset creatures with powerful enters-the-battlefield effects. It is also excellent for surprise blocking, as its 4 toughness can survive many early-game attackers while you safely bounce a high-value utility creature back to your hand for protection.

Interaction examples

Protecting Value

Esper Sentinel

Your opponent casts a destruction spell targeting your Esper Sentinel. In response, you cast Jeskai Barricade. When Jeskai Barricade enters, its ability targets Esper Sentinel. The ability resolves, returning Esper Sentinel to your hand and causing the opponent's spell to fizzle due to having no legal target.

Resetting Mana Sources

Ornithopter of Paradise

After using Ornithopter of Paradise to produce mana during your turn, you cast Jeskai Barricade. You use the entry trigger to return the tapped Ornithopter of Paradise to your hand. You can then immediately recast the Ornithopter of Paradise (since it costs 2 mana) so it will be ready to block or lose summoning sickness by your next turn.

Surprise Defense

An opponent attacks with a 3/3 creature. You cast Jeskai Barricade during the declare attackers step. It enters the battlefield, and since you have no other creatures you wish to save, you choose not to return anything to your hand. You then declare Jeskai Barricade as a blocker, safely absorbing the 3 damage with its 4 toughness.