Protocol KnightHow it works & interactions with other cards

Tactical Suppression

When Protocol Knight enters the battlefield, it targets one creature controlled by an opponent to be tapped. The strength of this ability scales with your board state: if you control another Knight at the moment the ability resolves, you also place a stun counter on that creature. A stun counter prevents the permanent from untapping during its controller's next untap step, effectively removing it from combat for an extra turn cycle.

Resolution Step-by-Step

First, the ability triggers and is put onto the stack, where you must choose a legal target creature owned by an opponent. Second, as the ability resolves, the game checks if you control another Knight; this check happens only during resolution, so it does not matter if you controlled one when the ability triggered. Third, the target is tapped. Finally, if the check for another Knight was successful, a stun counter is placed on the target. If the target was already tapped, it remains tapped, and the stun counter is still applied if the Knight condition is met.

Common Pitfalls

A common mistake is assuming Protocol Knight itself counts as the 'another Knight' required for the stun counter; it does not, as the ability specifically looks for a different permanent with the Knight subtype. Additionally, remember that if the target creature is already tapped when the ability resolves, the ability still resolves as completely as possible, meaning the stun counter will still be placed if you control a second Knight.

Strategic Timing

Protocol Knight is best utilized during your pre-combat main phase to remove a key blocker, especially when you have established a board of other Knights to ensure the stun effect. Because it relies on an enter-the-battlefield trigger, it is also a prime candidate for 'flicker' effects or being cast when an opponent has just tapped out for a large threat that you wish to keep sideways.

Interaction examples

Doubling Down on Protocol

Roaming Throne

If you control Roaming Throne with 'Knight' chosen as the creature type, Protocol Knight's ability triggers twice. Each trigger will target a creature. Since Roaming Throne is now a Knight, the 'another Knight' condition is met for both triggers, allowing you to tap two creatures and put a stun counter on each.

Managing Neutral Threats

Solemn Simulacrum

If your only other creature is Solemn Simulacrum, Protocol Knight will enter and tap an opponent's creature, but it will not apply a stun counter. This is because Solemn Simulacrum is a Golem, not a Knight. To get the stun counter, you would need to have played another Knight-type creature before Protocol Knight's ability resolves.