Kros, Defense ContractorHow it works & interactions with other cards

Strategic Weaponization

Kros has two distinct abilities: a triggered ability during your upkeep that places a shield counter on an opponent's creature, and a triggered ability that activates whenever you place any kind of counter on a creature you don't control. When that second ability triggers, the creature becomes tapped, goaded, and gains trample. This means the creature must attack another player if possible, and it cannot be used as a blocker during the turn it was tapped.

Shield Counter Mechanics

The shield counters Kros provides offer protection but come with strings attached. If a creature with a shield counter would be destroyed or dealt damage, you remove a shield counter instead. It is important to note that shield counters are not keyword counters; they are inherent properties of the counter itself. Even if the creature loses all abilities, the shield counter remains and continues to function. However, shield counters do not prevent a player from sacrificing a creature, nor do they stop destruction from state-based actions like having zero toughness.

Resolution and Goading

When Kros's second ability resolves, three things happen to the target: it is tapped, it is goaded, and it gains trample until your next turn. If a creature is already tapped, it still becomes goaded and gains trample. Goading lasts until your next turn, meaning the creature must attack during the opponent's next combat phase. Because Kros also grants trample, you are effectively ensuring that the opponent's creature deals maximum damage to your other enemies.

Common Mistakes

A common error is assuming that removing a shield counter is the same as regeneration; it is not. Another mistake is thinking that unpreventable damage won't remove a counter. If a creature with a shield counter is dealt unpreventable damage, the damage is dealt normally, but the shield counter is still removed. Lastly, remember that Kros's ability triggers whenever you put 'one or more' counters on a creature. If you put three +1/+1 counters on a single creature at once, Kros only triggers once for that creature.

Interaction examples

The Protected Golem

Solemn Simulacrum

During your upkeep, you target an opponent's Solemn Simulacrum with Kros's first ability. A shield counter is placed on the Golem. This triggers Kros's second ability. Upon resolution, the Solemn Simulacrum becomes tapped, is goaded, and gains trample. Now, the Golem is harder to kill, but it must attack one of your other opponents on that player's turn, and it cannot block your upcoming attack because it is tapped.

Aggressive Negotiations

Eternal Witness

If an opponent controls Eternal Witness, you can use an external spell or Kros's upkeep trigger to place a counter on it. Even though Eternal Witness is a small 2/1 creature, Kros forces it to attack. By granting it trample and a shield counter, you make it a persistent nuisance for your opponents while ensuring the Human Shaman stays on the board to be goaded again in future turns.