Stalwart Valkyrie 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
You may payand exile a creature card from your graveyard rather than pay this spell's mana cost. Flying
Complete guide
Stalwart Valkyrie is a versatile Angel Warrior that rewards you for having fallen allies in your graveyard. By utilizing its alternative casting cost, you can deploy this flying threat much earlier than your opponent expects. Understanding the timing and costs of this card is key to maintaining board pressure.
What It Does
Stalwart Valkyrie is a 3/2 creature with Flying. While its standard mana cost is four mana, it offers an alternative cost of one white mana, one generic mana, and the exile of a creature card from your graveyard. Regardless of which cost you pay, its mana value remains 4.
How It Resolves Step by Step
When you choose to cast Stalwart Valkyrie, you first announce the spell and decide if you are using the alternative cost. If you choose the alternative cost, you must exile a creature card from your graveyard and pay two mana total as the spell is put onto the stack. Once you announce this process, opponents cannot respond by removing cards from your graveyard to prevent the casting, as costs are paid immediately.
Common Mistakes
A frequent error is assuming the alternative cost changes the spell's speed; you can still only cast Stalwart Valkyrie during your main phase when the stack is empty unless you have an effect providing Flash. Additionally, remember that exiling a creature is a cost; if the spell is countered, the exiled creature card remains in exile and is not returned to the graveyard.
When to Play It
This card is most effective in the early-to-mid game after a trade has occurred in combat. By exiling a cheap creature that has already served its purpose, you can establish a 3/2 flyer on turn two or three, putting your opponent on a fast clock while saving mana for other spells.
Interaction examples
Solemn SimulacrumAfter Solemn Simulacrum dies and you draw a card, it sits in your graveyard. You can then cast Stalwart Valkyrie by exiling the Solemn Simulacrum and paying only two mana. This effectively 'recycles' your dead utility creature into an efficient aerial attacker.
Roaming ThroneIf you have Roaming Throne on the battlefield with 'Angel' or 'Warrior' chosen, Stalwart Valkyrie will benefit from any triggered abilities associated with those types. While Stalwart Valkyrie itself has no triggered abilities, the Roaming Throne provides a sturdy body that can later be exiled from the graveyard to pay for the Valkyrie's alternative cost if the Throne is destroyed.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Stalwart Valkyrie
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
Casting Stalwart Valkyrie for its alternative cost doesn't change when you can cast it.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #2· Wizards of the Coast
Once you announce that you're casting Stalwart Valkyrie using its alternative cost, no player may take other actions until the spell's been paid for. Notably, players can't try to remove creature cards from your graveyard to stop you from casting the spell.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #3· Wizards of the Coast
Stalwart Valkyrie has mana value 4, no matter what you actually paid to cast it.
No other card is named in this ruling.
Legal formats
Commentaires
- Sois le premier à commenter cette carte.
Read next
Meta decks with Stalwart Valkyrie
No archived Top 8 deck with this card yet.