Railway BrawlerHow it works & interactions with other cards

What It Does

Railway Brawler is a 5/5 creature with Reach and Trample, but its most important feature is its triggered ability. Whenever another creature enters the battlefield under your control, Railway Brawler looks at that creature's power and puts that many +1/+1 counters on it. Additionally, it features the Plot mechanic, allowing you to pay a reduced cost upfront to cast it for free on a later turn.

How It Resolves Step by Step

First, Railway Brawler must be on the battlefield for its ability to function. When another creature enters the battlefield, the Brawler's ability triggers and goes on the stack. The value of X—the number of counters—is determined only when the ability actually resolves. If the entering creature's power changes while the ability is on the stack (perhaps due to an instant-speed buff), the Brawler will use that new, higher power value to determine how many +1/+1 counters to provide.

Common Mistakes

A common mistake involves the timing of the Plot mechanic. You cannot cast Railway Brawler on the same turn you plot it; you must wait for a future turn. Also, remember that Railway Brawler's ability only triggers for other creatures entering the battlefield; it does not put counters on itself when it enters. Finally, if you cast a creature with X in its mana cost while Railway Brawler is out, the counters added will be based on the creature's actual power on the battlefield, not the value of X spent to cast it.

When to Play It

Railway Brawler is best played using its Plot ability on turn four. This allows you to cast it for free on turn five, leaving all your mana open to cast a second, massive creature that will immediately receive a double-power boost. It is a premier choice for midrange decks that rely on overwhelming stats to win combat.

Interaction examples

Double the Value

Railway BrawlerSolemn Simulacrum

With Railway Brawler on the battlefield, you cast Solemn Simulacrum. When the Simulacrum enters, both its land-search ability and the Brawler's counter ability trigger. The Brawler checks the Simulacrum's power, which is 2, and places two +1/+1 counters on it. You end up with a 4/4 Golem and an extra land.

Exponential Growth with the Throne

Railway BrawlerRoaming Throne

If you have Railway Brawler on the battlefield and cast Roaming Throne, naming 'Rhino', the Brawler's ability triggers. Because Roaming Throne is a Rhino (thanks to its own ability) and a Golem, it causes the Brawler's triggered ability to fire an additional time. The first trigger resolves, checking the Throne's 4 power and adding four +1/+1 counters, making it an 8/8. The second trigger then resolves, checking the now-8 power Throne and adding eight more counters, resulting in a massive 16/16 Roaming Throne.

Plotting for the Future

Railway BrawlerPlot

During your main phase, you pay {3}{G} to Plot Railway Brawler. This is a special action that cannot be responded to, and the card is moved to the exile zone. On a later turn, you cast Railway Brawler from exile for free as a sorcery. Because it was cast and not just 'put' onto the battlefield, it is a legal play that sets up your board for every creature you play afterward.