King Darien XLVIIIHow it works & interactions with other cards

A Royal Anthem and Army Creator

King Darien XLVIII provides a static +1/+1 bonus to all other creatures you control. Beyond this passive aura, his activated ability allows you to spend five mana to place a +1/+1 counter on him and create a 1/1 white Soldier creature token. Because of his first ability, that Soldier will effectively enter the battlefield as a 2/2 as long as King Darien remains on the field.

The Ultimate Sacrifice

By sacrificing King Darien XLVIII, you grant all creature tokens you control hexproof and indestructible until the end of the turn. This is an activated ability that can be used at any time you have priority, even on an opponent's turn. It is important to note that this protection only applies to tokens; your nontoken creatures will not gain these benefits.

Timing and State-Based Actions

A common mistake involves waiting too long to activate the sacrifice ability. If an opponent deals damage to your tokens that would be lethal once King Darien leaves the battlefield, you must act before that damage is dealt. If you sacrifice him after damage is marked, his +1/+1 bonus disappears immediately. If a token's toughness drops to or below the damage already marked on it, it will die before the indestructible ability resolves.

Interaction examples

Building the Soldier Ranks

King Darien XLVIIISoldier

With King Darien XLVIII on the battlefield, you activate his second ability for {3}{G}{W}. First, place a +1/+1 counter on King Darien. Then, create a 1/1 white Soldier token. Because of Darien's first ability, the Soldier token is a 2/2. If you activate the ability again, Darien becomes larger and you gain another 2/2 Soldier.

Protecting the Garrison

King Darien XLVIIISoldier

Your opponent casts a spell to destroy all creatures. In response, you sacrifice King Darien XLVIII. His ability goes on the stack. When it resolves, all your Soldier tokens gain hexproof and indestructible. While King Darien and any other nontoken creatures like Sakura-Tribe Elder will be destroyed, your tokens will survive the board wipe.

Losing the Anthem

King Darien XLVIIISolemn Simulacrum

You control King Darien XLVIII and a Solemn Simulacrum. The Simulacrum is currently a 3/3 due to the +1/+1 bonus. If an opponent targets the Simulacrum with a spell that deals 2 damage, and you sacrifice King Darien in response to try and save other tokens, the Simulacrum immediately reverts to a 2/2. When the 2 damage resolves, the Simulacrum will have lethal damage and die.