Recruit the WorthyHow it works & interactions with other cards

What It Does

At its core, Recruit the Worthy creates a 1/1 white Soldier creature token for a single white mana. However, its true power lies in the Buyback ability, an additional cost of three generic mana that you may choose to pay as you cast the spell. If the Buyback cost is paid, the card returns to your hand instead of going to the graveyard upon resolution.

Resolving Step by Step

First, announce you are casting the spell and choose whether to pay the Buyback cost. Total the costs: {W} if cast normally, or {3}{W} with Buyback. As the spell resolves, you create a 1/1 white Soldier creature token. If the Buyback cost was paid, the card is placed directly into your hand; otherwise, it is placed in your graveyard.

Common Mistakes

The most important thing to remember is that Buyback only functions if the spell successfully resolves. If Recruit the Worthy is countered by an opponent's spell or ability, it will go to the graveyard regardless of whether the Buyback cost was paid. Additionally, Buyback is an optional additional cost, not an activated ability you can use while the card is in your graveyard.

When to Play It

Recruit the Worthy is best utilized in control or tokens-heavy decks that can produce large amounts of mana. Early in the game, it provides a quick blocker, but in the late game, it acts as an 'infinite' mana sink to overwhelm opponents who have run out of resources.

Interaction examples

Creating an Army

Soldier

You cast Recruit the Worthy for {W}. Upon resolution, you place one 1/1 white Soldier creature token onto the battlefield and put Recruit the Worthy into your graveyard.

The Recursive Engine

Soldier

You cast Recruit the Worthy and pay the Buyback cost for a total of {3}{W}. You create a 1/1 white Soldier creature token. Because the Buyback cost was paid, Recruit the Worthy returns to your hand, allowing you to cast it again on your next turn.

Responding to Exile

Swords to PlowsharesSoldier

If your opponent targets your new Soldier token with Swords to Plowshares, the token will be exiled and you will gain 1 life. This does not affect Recruit the Worthy itself, which may already be back in your hand if you paid the Buyback cost.

Managing Resources

Path to ExileSoldier

In response to an opponent's Path to Exile targeting a key creature, you can cast Recruit the Worthy to create a Soldier token. While this doesn't save your original creature, it ensures you maintain a creature count on board, especially if you have the mana to buy the spell back for future use.