Sigiled Sentinel is one of those cards players keep asking about. Here is, in plain words, what its official text says, the rulings published by Wizards of the Coast, and the combos players actually run.
Official card text
Backup 1 (When this creature enters, put a +1/+1 counter on target creature. If that's another creature, it gains the following ability until end of turn.) Vigilance
Complete guide
Sigiled Sentinel is a versatile Human Knight from the March of the Machine set that showcases the Backup mechanic. By providing both a power boost and defensive utility, it ensures your board remains formidable during both your turn and your opponent's.
Understanding Backup 1
When Sigiled Sentinel enters the battlefield, its Backup 1 ability triggers. You choose a target creature, which receives a +1/+1 counter. If you target a creature other than the Sentinel itself, that creature also gains Vigilance until the end of the turn. This allows you to spread your offensive pressure while maintaining a blocker.
Step-by-Step Resolution
First, Sigiled Sentinel enters the battlefield and its Backup ability is put onto the stack. You must choose a target creature at this time. Second, as the ability resolves, you place a +1/+1 counter on that target. Finally, if the target was not the Sigiled Sentinel, the game checks its printed abilities below Backup—in this case, Vigilance—and grants them to the target creature until end of turn.
Important Timing and Rulings
Backup only grants abilities printed on the card below the Backup text; it will not pass on abilities gained from other spells or equipment. If Sigiled Sentinel loses its abilities while the Backup trigger is still on the stack, the target creature will still receive Vigilance because the granted abilities are locked in at the moment the trigger is created.
When to Play Sigiled Sentinel
This card is best played when you already have an established attacker that needs to stay untapped for defense. Because Vigilance lasts only until end of turn, use the Sentinel to facilitate a high-damage swing that doesn't leave you vulnerable to a counter-attack.
Interaction examples
Roaming ThroneIf you control Roaming Throne with 'Human' or 'Knight' chosen, Sigiled Sentinel's Backup ability triggers twice when it enters. You can put two +1/+1 counters on the Throne and it will gain Vigilance (twice, though the effect is redundant). Alternatively, you can target two different creatures to spread the counters and the Vigilance ability across your board.
Solemn SimulacrumWhen Sigiled Sentinel enters, you target Solemn Simulacrum with the Backup ability. The Simulacrum receives a +1/+1 counter, becoming a 3/3, and gains Vigilance until end of turn. This allows you to attack with the Simulacrum to pressure the opponent while still keeping it ready to block and trigger its 'dies' ability later.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Sigiled Sentinel
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
If a backup ability targets the creature with backup, that creature will get +1/+1 counters, but it won’t gain additional abilities.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #2· Wizards of the Coast
If a backup ability causes another creature to gain abilities, the creature with backup will still have those abilities.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #3· Wizards of the Coast
If a permanent enters the battlefield as a copy of a card with a backup ability or a token is created that is a copy of that card, the order of the printed abilities is maintained.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #4· Wizards of the Coast
Backup confers only abilities that are actually printed below it. Any abilities that are gained by the permanent are ignored, including abilities gained due to a resolving spell or ability or copy effects.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #5· Wizards of the Coast
The abilities that backup grants to the target creature are determined only once, at the time the ability triggers. They won’t change if the permanent with backup loses any abilities before the backup ability resolves.
No other card is named in this ruling.
Legal formats
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Meta decks with Sigiled Sentinel
No archived Top 8 deck with this card yet.