Paladin en-VecHow it works & interactions with other cards

Dual Protection and First Strike

Paladin en-Vec features 'Protection from black and from red.' This means the card cannot be damaged, enchanted, blocked, or targeted by anything with those color identities. Additionally, First Strike allows it to deal combat damage in a separate step before creatures without First Strike, often letting it destroy attackers or blockers before they can even swing back.

Step-by-Step Resolution

When Paladin en-Vec enters the battlefield, its protection is immediately active. If a player attempts to cast a red spell like Lightning Bolt targeting it, the game rules prevent that player from even choosing the Paladin as a legal target. During the combat phase, if the Paladin is blocked by a non-black, non-red creature, check for First Strike damage first. If the Paladin deals lethal damage, the blocker is destroyed before it can deal damage in the regular combat damage step.

Common Mistakes

A frequent error is assuming protection prevents all effects. While Paladin en-Vec cannot be targeted or damaged by red or black sources, it can still be destroyed by 'board wipes' that do not target or deal damage, such as a black spell that says 'Destroy all creatures.' Another mistake is forgetting that protection also prevents you from targeting your own Paladin with your own red or black spells or enchantments.

When to Play It

Paladin en-Vec is most effective in metas dominated by aggressive red decks or control-oriented black decks. It serves as an 'immovable object' that can block red creatures all day without taking damage, or it can safely chip away at an opponent's life total if they only have black or red creatures to block with.

Interaction examples

Holding the Line

Solemn Simulacrum

If your opponent attacks with Solemn Simulacrum, you can block with Paladin en-Vec. Because Paladin en-Vec has First Strike, it deals 2 damage to the Solemn Simulacrum first. The Simulacrum is destroyed and its 'dies' ability triggers, allowing the opponent to draw a card, but the Paladin survives without ever taking damage in the second combat damage step.

Tribal Synergies

Roaming Throne

If you play Roaming Throne and choose 'Human' or 'Knight,' it becomes that type. While Paladin en-Vec does not have triggered abilities for Roaming Throne to double, the Throne provides a massive colorless body that can block threats the Paladin might struggle with, while the Paladin ignores any red or black removal the opponent might try to use to clear the way for their attackers.