Pegasus ChargerHow it works & interactions with other cards

Dual Keywords Explained

Pegasus Charger features Flying and First strike. Flying is an evasion ability, meaning it can only be blocked by creatures with Flying or Reach. First strike is a combat ability that allows the Pegasus to deal its damage in a separate combat damage step before creatures without First strike. If the Pegasus deals lethal damage to a blocker during this first step, that blocker is destroyed before it can deal any damage back.

Step-by-Step Combat

When you attack with Pegasus Charger, the game follows a specific sequence. First, the declare attackers step occurs where the Pegasus is tapped. Second, in the declare blockers step, your opponent can only choose creatures with Flying or Reach to block it. Third, the first combat damage step occurs where the Pegasus deals its damage. Finally, if the blocker survived, it deals its damage in the second combat damage step.

Common Mistakes

A frequent error is forgetting that First strike only matters if the creature is in combat. It does not allow the creature to 'strike first' when using other abilities or when targeted by spells. Additionally, if the Pegasus is blocked by another creature with First strike, they will deal damage to each other simultaneously in that first damage step.

When to Play It

Pegasus Charger is best utilized in aggressive or midrange decks where you can capitalize on its evasion. Because it is a Pegasus, it can also benefit from tribal synergies. It serves as an excellent deterrent against small ground-based creatures, as they cannot block it, and small flyers often cannot survive its First strike damage.

Interaction examples

The Sky Advantage

Solemn Simulacrum

If your opponent controls Solemn Simulacrum, they cannot block Pegasus Charger because the Golem does not have Flying or Reach. The Pegasus will fly over the Golem to deal damage directly to the player, while the Golem remains on the battlefield.

Tribal Synergies

Roaming Throne

If you play Roaming Throne and choose 'Pegasus' as the creature type, the Throne will become a Pegasus. While this does not change how Pegasus Charger's keywords work (as Flying and First strike are static abilities, not triggered abilities), both creatures would benefit from any other effects that specifically target the Pegasus creature type.