Sokenzan SpellbladeHow it works & interactions with other cards

Harnessing the Hand

The primary strength of Sokenzan Spellblade lies in its activated ability. By paying one generic and one red mana, the Spellblade gains a power boost equal to the number of cards in your hand at the time the ability resolves. Unlike some other effects that update constantly, this value is 'locked in' once the ability finishes resolving, meaning if your hand size changes later in the turn, the bonus already granted does not change.

Bushido and Combat

Sokenzan Spellblade also features Bushido 1. This is a triggered ability that triggers whenever the creature blocks or becomes blocked. This provides a +1/+1 buff during the Declare Blockers step, making it harder to trade with in combat and slightly more resilient against damage-based spells once the fight has begun.

Timing and Strategy

Because the activated ability checks your hand size upon resolution, you should generally wait until the last possible moment to activate it if you expect to draw more cards. Conversely, if you plan to cast spells from your hand, activate the ability first so those cards are counted toward X before they leave your hand to go onto the stack.

Interaction examples

Doubling the Bushido Honor

Roaming Throne

If Roaming Throne enters the battlefield naming 'Samurai', Sokenzan Spellblade's Bushido 1 ability will trigger an additional time. When Sokenzan Spellblade blocks or is blocked, instead of getting +1/+1, it will get +1/+1 twice, resulting in a total +2/+2 bonus for the turn.

Refueling for Greater Power

Solemn Simulacrum

If your Solemn Simulacrum dies in combat alongside Sokenzan Spellblade, you can use the 'draw a card' trigger first. Once you have drawn the card and it is in your hand, you can then activate Sokenzan Spellblade's ability to ensure that new card is included in the value of X.

Multiple Activations

You can activate Sokenzan Spellblade's ability multiple times in a single turn. If you have 4 cards in hand and activate it twice, it will get +4/+0 twice for a total of +8/+0. If you cast a spell between activations, the second activation will simply count the new, smaller number of cards in your hand.