Recruitment OfficerHow it works & interactions with other cards

What It Does

Recruitment Officer is a 2/1 creature for a single white mana, but its true power lies in its activated ability. By paying three generic and one white mana, you can look at the top four cards of your library to find a small creature. This ability doesn't require the creature to be a Soldier; it just needs to have a mana value of 3 or less.

Step-by-Step Resolution

When you activate the ability, it goes on the stack and can be responded to. Once it resolves: first, you look at the top four cards of your library. Second, you choose up to one creature card with mana value 3 or less and reveal it to your opponent. Third, you put that card into your hand. Finally, every other card you looked at is put on the bottom of your library in a random order.

Common Mistakes

Players often forget that the 'mana value 3 or less' restriction applies only to the card you are picking, not the Recruitment Officer itself. Additionally, remember that you must reveal the card to prove it meets the criteria. If you look at four cards and none of them fit the description, or you simply don't want any of them, all four cards must go to the bottom of the library.

When to Play It

As a 2/1 for one mana, you generally want to play Recruitment Officer on turn one to start applying pressure. However, you should save your mana for its ability during the late game or at the end of your opponent's turn. Because the ability does not require the Officer to tap, you can use it even if it has summoning sickness or after it has attacked.

Interaction examples

Finding Early Utility

Esper Sentinel

You activate Recruitment Officer's ability during your opponent's end step. Among the top four cards, you see an Esper Sentinel. Since its mana value is 1, which is less than 3, you reveal it and put it into your hand to prepare your defenses for the next turn.

Mana Fixing on Demand

Ornithopter of Paradise

If you are struggling to find a specific color of mana, you can use Recruitment Officer to dig for Ornithopter of Paradise. Because the Ornithopter has a mana value of 2, it is a legal target for the Officer's ability, allowing you to reveal it and add it to your hand.

Activating in Combat

You attack with Recruitment Officer. Your opponent does not block. Before damage is dealt, you may spend four mana to activate its ability. Even though the Officer is attacking, you still look at the top four cards, potentially finding another creature to cast during your second main phase.