Kor BlademasterHow it works & interactions with other cards

Dual Strikes for Your Army

Kor Blademaster possesses the double strike keyword, meaning it deals both first-strike and regular combat damage. Furthermore, it acts as a 'lord' for other Warriors you control, provided they are equipped. As long as a Warrior is holding at least one Equipment, Kor Blademaster grants it double strike, allowing it to deal damage in two separate combat damage steps.

Step-by-Step Resolution

When Kor Blademaster is on the battlefield, the combat phase changes significantly. First, during the first strike combat damage step, Kor Blademaster and any equipped Warriors you control assign and deal their combat damage. Then, in the second combat damage step, they assign and deal damage again alongside any creatures without double strike or first strike. Note that if Kor Blademaster leaves the battlefield after the first strike step but before the second, the Warriors it was buffing lose double strike and will not deal damage during the second step.

Timing and Type Restrictions

A common mistake is assuming Kor Blademaster buffs all equipped creatures. It specifically requires the creature to have the 'Warrior' subtype. If you equip a non-Warrior creature, it gains no benefit from this card's static ability. Additionally, the double strike effect is continuous; as soon as a Warrior is no longer equipped or Kor Blademaster leaves the field, the benefit vanishes immediately.

When to Deploy

You should play Kor Blademaster early in the game to establish pressure, or hold it until you have already established a board of Warriors with Equipment attached. Because its ability is static and does not use the stack, your equipped Warriors will gain double strike the moment Kor Blademaster enters the battlefield, potentially surprising an opponent during their declared blocks.

Interaction examples

Standalone Power

If Kor Blademaster attacks alone and is unblocked, it deals damage equal to its power during the first combat damage step and then deals damage equal to its power again during the second combat damage step, effectively doubling its impact on the opponent's life total.

Interacting with Non-Warriors

Esper Sentinel

If you control both Kor Blademaster and Esper Sentinel, and you attach an Equipment to Esper Sentinel, it does not gain double strike. This is because Esper Sentinel is a Human Soldier, not a Warrior. Only creatures with the Warrior type receive the bonus.

Equipment and Typing

Ornithopter of Paradise

Similar to the Sentinel, Ornithopter of Paradise is a Thopter. Even if it is equipped to increase its power or provide mana fixing, Kor Blademaster will not grant it double strike. The Kor Blademaster itself, however, still retains double strike regardless of whether it is equipped or not.