Keeper of the AccordHow it works & interactions with other cards

Dual Trigger Mechanics

Keeper of the Accord features two distinct triggered abilities that occur at the start of each opponent's end step. The first ability checks for creature counts, and the second checks for land counts. Both abilities use an 'intervening if' clause, meaning the condition (having fewer creatures or lands than the active player) must be true both when the ability triggers and when it resolves. If you already caught up during the end step before a trigger resolves, you will not get the bonus.

Stacking the Triggers

Because both abilities trigger at the same time, you choose the order in which they are placed on the stack. This is rarely relevant for the outcome of the abilities themselves, but it allows you to control the flow of the game. Note that the land search is optional ('you may'), while the Soldier token creation is mandatory if the condition is met upon resolution.

Strategic Land Searching

When the land ability resolves, you search your library for a basic Plains card and put it onto the battlefield tapped. This is a powerful form of ramp that specifically helps White maintain pace with green-based decks. Because the land enters tapped, you cannot use it for mana during that opponent's turn, but it will be ready for your next turn.

Common Pitfalls

A common mistake is forgetting that these triggers happen on every opponent's end step, not just your own. Another oversight is the count check: if an opponent controls 5 lands and you control 4, you get a land. However, if another effect puts a land onto your battlefield before the Keeper's ability resolves, you will no longer have fewer lands than that opponent, and the ability will fizzle.

Interaction examples

Doubling Down with Roaming Throne

Roaming Throne

If you have Roaming Throne on the battlefield and chose 'Human' or 'Soldier' as it entered, Keeper of the Accord's abilities will each trigger twice. During an opponent's end step, if they have more lands than you, you can put two 'search for a Plains' triggers on the stack. Note that after the first trigger resolves, you put a land into play. If your land count now equals the opponent's, the second trigger will fail to resolve because the 'if' condition is no longer met.

Outscaling the Golem

Solemn Simulacrum

If you play Solemn Simulacrum, you search for a land and put it into play. If this puts your land count equal to your opponent's, Keeper of the Accord will not trigger during that opponent's next end step. Use the Keeper to catch up first, then play your other ramp spells to pull ahead during your own turn.

Building a Soldier Army

Soldier

In a four-player game, if one opponent has a high creature count, Keeper of the Accord can generate a 1/1 white Soldier token on each of their turns. By the time your turn starts, you may have gained three tokens, effectively rebuilding your board presence for free simply by being the 'underdog' at the table.