Parish-Blade Trainee 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
Training (Whenever this creature attacks with another creature with greater power, put a +1/+1 counter on this creature.) When this creature dies, put its counters on target creature you control.
Complete guide
Parish-Blade Trainee is a resilient Human Soldier that embodies the spirit of mentorship and legacy on the battlefield. Not only does it grow stronger through the Training mechanic, but it also ensures that its hard-earned progress is passed on to a comrade when it falls.
Growth Through Combat
The Training ability triggers during the declare attackers step. For it to fire, Parish-Blade Trainee must be declared as an attacker at the same time as at least one other creature that has a higher power. Once the ability triggers, it doesn't matter what happens to the stronger creature; even if that creature is removed from combat or its power is reduced, the Trainee will still receive its +1/+1 counter upon resolution.
Passing the Torch
When Parish-Blade Trainee dies, its triggered ability targets another creature you control. This ability counts every counter on the Trainee at the moment it left the battlefield—not just +1/+1 counters, but also keywords, shield, or even -1/-1 counters. You then place that same number and type of counters onto the target creature. Note that this is not 'moving' counters; the Trainee keeps its counters as it moves to the graveyard, and the target creature receives a fresh set of matching ones.
Common Mistakes
A common error is trying to trigger Training by increasing a creature's power after attackers have already been declared. The power check happens only at the moment attackers are chosen. Additionally, players often forget that the 'death' trigger is mandatory if you have a valid target, even if the Trainee had negative counters on it that might weaken your other creatures.
When to Play It
Parish-Blade Trainee shines in aggressive decks that utilize low-cost creatures with high utility. By leading the charge with a stronger ally, you build a threat that the opponent is punished for killing, as the stats will simply jump to your next best attacker.
Interaction examples
Esper SentinelIf you control Esper Sentinel and Parish-Blade Trainee, and the Sentinel has been buffed to 2 power, you can attack with both. Training triggers because 2 is greater than 1. When the ability resolves, the Trainee gets a +1/+1 counter. If the Trainee later dies, you can target the Sentinel with its death trigger, putting that +1/+1 counter on the Sentinel and making its tax ability even harder for your opponent to pay.
Ornithopter of ParadiseSuppose Parish-Blade Trainee has two +1/+1 counters from previous attacks. If your opponent destroys the Trainee, its ability triggers. You target Ornithopter of Paradise. The Ornithopter receives two +1/+1 counters, turning your mana-producing flyer into a 2/4 threat that can now safely attack or block while still providing mana utility.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Parish-Blade Trainee
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
Parish-Blade Trainee's last ability puts all of its counters onto the target creature, not just its +1/+1 counters.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #2· Wizards of the Coast
Parish-Blade Trainee's last ability doesn't cause you to move counters from itself to the target creature. Rather, you put the same number of each kind of counter Parish-Blade Trainee had when it died onto that creature.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #3· Wizards of the Coast
In some unusual cases, you may end up putting the appropriate counters on more than one permanent. For example, if you control The Ozolith when Parish-Blade Trainee dies, you'll put the appropriate number of each kind of counter onto both The Ozolith and the target creature.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #4· Wizards of the Coast
If Parish-Blade Trainee has -1/-1 counters on it when it dies, the last ability will include those as well. This may result in the recipient also dying.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #5· Wizards of the Coast
A creature's training ability triggers only when both that creature and a creature with greater power are declared as attackers. Increasing a creature's power after attackers are declared won't cause a training ability to trigger.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #6· Wizards of the Coast
Once a creature's training ability has triggered, destroying the other attacking creature or reducing its power won't stop the creature with training from getting a +1/+1 counter.
No other card is named in this ruling.
Legal formats
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Meta decks with Parish-Blade Trainee
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