Kwende, Pride of Femeref is one of those cards players keep asking about. Here is, in plain words, what its official text says, the rulings published by Wizards of the Coast, and the combos players actually run.
Official card text
Double strike Creatures you control with first strike have double strike.
Complete guide
Kwende, Pride of Femeref is a powerful Legendary Knight that empowers your army by maximizing their combat efficiency. By transforming your first strikers into double strikers, he ensures your creatures hit twice as hard and twice as fast as your opponents expect.
Unpacking Double Strike
Kwende himself has double strike, and he grants this ability to any other creature you control that already possesses first strike. In combat, double strike creates two separate combat damage steps: the first for creatures with first strike or double strike, and the second for all other creatures and those with double strike. This means your first-strike-capable creatures will now deal damage in both steps.
The Timing of Combat
When Kwende is on the battlefield, any creature you control with first strike effectively upgrades. The transition happens immediately; if a creature gains first strike mid-combat, Kwende instantly grants it double strike. However, keep in mind that a creature with both first strike and double strike does not deal damage three times. It follows the standard double strike rules, hitting once in the first window and once in the second.
Strategic Considerations
Kwende is best utilized in aggressive decks where you can capitalize on the 'extra' damage. Remember that if Kwende leaves the battlefield after the first strike damage step but before the normal damage step, your creatures that only had double strike because of him will lose the ability and won't deal damage during the second step.
Interaction examples
When Kwende, Pride of Femeref attacks alone, he uses his own double strike ability. In the first combat damage step, he deals 2 damage. In the second combat damage step, he deals another 2 damage, for a total of 4 damage to a player or creature.
Roaming ThroneIf you cast Roaming Throne and choose 'Human' or 'Knight', it will become that type. While Roaming Throne doesn't have first strike naturally, if you were to give it first strike via another spell, Kwende would grant it double strike. Note that Roaming Throne's triggered ability doubling does not affect Kwende's static ability, as Kwende does not have triggered abilities.
Solemn SimulacrumSolemn Simulacrum does not have first strike, so it does not gain double strike from Kwende. It will deal its 2 damage normally during the second combat damage step. Kwende only benefits creatures that explicitly have the first strike keyword.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Kwende, Pride of Femeref
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
A creature with first strike and double strike deals combat damage the same as a creature with double strike. It doesn't deal damage three times or before other creatures with first strike.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #2· Wizards of the Coast
If a creature you control gains first strike after Kwende has entered the battlefield, that creature also gains double strike.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #3· Wizards of the Coast
If a creature loses double strike after first strike damage is dealt, it won't deal normal combat damage.
No other card is named in this ruling.
Legal formats
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