Rage ForgerHow it works & interactions with other cards

What It Does

Rage Forger has two distinct functions: a static boost and an attack trigger. First, when it enters the battlefield, it puts a +1/+1 counter on every other Shaman you control. Second, it grants a triggered ability to your board: whenever any creature you control with a +1/+1 counter on it attacks, that creature can deal 1 damage directly to a player or planeswalker.

How It Resolves Step by Step

When Rage Forger enters the battlefield, its first ability goes on the stack. Upon resolution, check all other creatures you control for the Shaman subtype and place a +1/+1 counter on them. Later, during your declare attackers step, if you attack with creatures that have +1/+1 counters, a separate 'ping' trigger goes on the stack for each one. You choose the target (player or planeswalker) for each trigger as they are put on the stack.

Common Mistakes

A common error is forgetting that Rage Forger does not give itself a +1/+1 counter when it enters. Additionally, the second ability checks for any +1/+1 counter, not just those placed by Rage Forger. If a creature loses its counters before the attack is declared, the ability will not trigger. However, once the ability has triggered and is on the stack, removing the counter from the creature will not stop the 1 damage from being dealt.

When to Play It

You should play Rage Forger when you have a board established with other Shamans to maximize the value of the entry counters. It is also highly effective in decks that use non-Shaman creatures that naturally accumulate +1/+1 counters, as the second ability applies to any creature you control regardless of its type, as long as it has a counter.

Interaction examples

Doubling the Tribal Synergy

Roaming Throne

If you have Roaming Throne on the battlefield with 'Shaman' chosen as the creature type, Rage Forger's entry ability triggers twice, putting two +1/+1 counters on each other Shaman. Furthermore, because Roaming Throne is now a Shaman itself, its own ability causes the Rage Forger attack triggers to fire twice for each attacking creature with a counter.

Value and Damage

Solemn Simulacrum

While Solemn Simulacrum is a Golem, if you place a +1/+1 counter on it through other means, Rage Forger will allow the Golem to deal 1 damage to a target player or planeswalker when it attacks. This demonstrates that the second ability of Rage Forger is not limited by creature type, only by the presence of a counter.