Mauhúr, Uruk-hai CaptainHow it works & interactions with other cards

Scaling Your Forces

Mauhúr, Uruk-hai Captain features a static replacement effect that modifies how many +1/+1 counters are placed on specific creature types. Specifically, if an Army, Goblin, or Orc you control would receive any number of +1/+1 counters, it receives that many plus one additional counter instead. This applies to every instance of counter placement, whether it comes from an 'Amass' trigger, a spell, or a creature's own ability.

The Mechanics of Replacement

As a replacement effect, Mauhúr does not use the stack and cannot be responded to once the original effect begins to resolve. When a spell or ability tells you to place counters, you simply check the creature's type. If it is an Army, Goblin, or Orc, you add one to the total number of counters being placed. Notably, if an effect would put multiple +1/+1 counters on several creatures at once, each qualifying creature will receive an extra counter.

Strategic Implementation

To get the most out of Mauhúr, focus on repeatable sources of counters. While he has Menace to help push damage through, his primary value is keeping your other threats out of range of burn spells or large blockers. Remember that this effect only works on your own creatures; if an opponent takes control of Mauhúr, your Goblins will no longer receive the bonus.

Common Mistakes

A common point of confusion is how Mauhúr interacts with the Amass mechanic. When you Amass, you either put counters on an existing Army or create a 0/0 Army token and then put counters on it. Mauhúr's ability applies in both cases. However, keep in mind that this bonus only applies to +1/+1 counters; it does not increase the number of tokens created or affect other types of counters like keyword counters or shield counters.

Interaction examples

Aggressive Menace

Professional Face-Breaker

With both creatures on the battlefield, you have two threats with Menace, making them difficult to block. If you use a spell to put a +1/+1 counter on Professional Face-Breaker, it receives two counters instead because it is a Human Warrior and not an Orc, Goblin, or Army—wait, this is a mistake! Professional Face-Breaker does not share a creature type with Mauhúr's buff, so it would only receive the standard number of counters. Mauhúr only buffs Goblins, Orcs, or Armies.

Survival of the Fittest

Blood Artist

If Mauhúr, Uruk-hai Captain is about to be destroyed, Blood Artist's presence ensures your opponent pays a price in life. While Blood Artist does not benefit from Mauhúr's counter-increasing ability because it is a Vampire, the two work together in a deck where Mauhúr grows your Orc army and Blood Artist punishes the opponent for finally managing to clear your enhanced board.

Leading the Charge

Imagine you cast a spell that says 'Put a +1/+1 counter on each creature you control.' If you control Mauhúr and a generic Orc token, the Orc token is an Orc and will receive two +1/+1 counters. Mauhúr himself is an Orc Soldier, so he also qualifies for his own ability, receiving two +1/+1 counters instead of one.