Kinsbaile CavalierHow it works & interactions with other cards

Double the Impact

Kinsbaile Cavalier has a static ability that grants double strike to all Knight creatures you control, including itself. Double strike allows a creature to deal both first-strike and regular combat damage. If a Knight you control attacks or blocks, it will deal damage in the first combat damage step and then again in the second combat damage step, provided it is still on the battlefield.

Resolution and Timing

Because this is a static ability, it does not use the stack and cannot be responded to once Kinsbaile Cavalier has resolved. As long as the Cavalier is on the battlefield, any creature you control with the Knight subtype immediately gains double strike. If Kinsbaile Cavalier leaves the battlefield during combat before the second damage step, your remaining Knights will lose double strike and will not deal damage a second time if they already dealt first-strike damage.

Common Pitfalls

A common mistake is assuming that double strike interacts with 'when this creature deals combat damage' triggers more than once if the creature's first-strike damage is enough to destroy the blocker. If the blocker is destroyed during the first-strike step and the Knight does not have trample, it will not deal damage during the second step, and therefore won't trigger 'on damage' effects a second time.

Strategic Deployment

You should play Kinsbaile Cavalier when you have an established board of Knights to maximize the immediate threat. Since it grants the ability to itself, it is also a formidable blocker. It is best used to force unfavorable blocks for your opponent, as they must account for two instances of damage from every one of your attackers.

Interaction examples

The Knightly Throne

Roaming Throne

If you play Roaming Throne and choose 'Knight,' the Throne becomes a Knight in addition to its other types. Because Kinsbaile Cavalier grants double strike to all Knight creatures you control, Roaming Throne will now have double strike. Note that the Cavalier's ability is static, not triggered, so the Throne's doubling ability does not apply to the granting of double strike itself.

Combat with Golems

Solemn Simulacrum

If Kinsbaile Cavalier (a 2/2) attacks and is blocked by Solemn Simulacrum (a 2/2), the Cavalier deals 2 damage during the first-strike damage step. Solemn Simulacrum is destroyed and its 'dies' trigger goes on the stack. Because the Simulacrum is gone before the normal combat damage step, it never gets to deal its 2 damage back to the Cavalier, allowing your Kithkin to survive the encounter.