Minion of the MightyHow it works & interactions with other cards

Unpacking Pack Tactics

The Pack tactics ability is a triggered ability that checks a specific condition: the total power of all creatures you attacked with this combat. To trigger Minion of the Mighty, you must declare attackers such that their combined power is 6 or greater. Note that this includes the Minion's own power, even if it is buffed by other spells or effects before the declare attackers step ends.

Resolution and Placement

When the ability resolves, you may put a Dragon creature card from your hand onto the battlefield already tapped and attacking. You choose which player, planeswalker, or battle that Dragon is attacking at the moment it enters. Importantly, because the Dragon is put onto the battlefield 'attacking,' it never technically 'attacked' for the purposes of triggers that look for the declaration of an attack.

Common Missteps

A frequent mistake is trying to use the Dragon's own 'whenever this creature attacks' abilities. Since the Dragon enters the battlefield already in an attacking state, it skips the step where 'when this creature attacks' triggers would fire. Additionally, ensure your total power is calculated at the moment you declare attackers; if a creature's power changes after the ability has already failed to trigger, it won't retroactively fire.

Strategic Timing

Because Minion of the Mighty has Menace, it is harder to block, ensuring it survives to trigger its ability again in later turns. To maximize its impact, use low-cost creatures with high power or equipment to reach the 6-power threshold as early as turn two or three.

Interaction examples

Early Acceleration

Ornithopter of Paradise

If you control Minion of the Mighty and Ornithopter of Paradise, you only have 0 power combined. However, if you use a spell like Infuriate on the Minion to give it +3/+2, and a similar buff on the Ornithopter, their total power will exceed 6 when they are declared as attackers, allowing you to cheat a Dragon into play.

Treasure and Tactics

Ragavan, Nimble Pilferer

If you attack with Minion of the Mighty and Ragavan, Nimble Pilferer, their base power total is 2. You will need an additional 4 power from other attackers or spells to trigger Pack tactics. If successful, Ragavan's ability to create a Treasure upon dealing damage provides the mana needed to protect your newly summoned Dragon with follow-up spells.