Starfleet CommunicatorHow it works & interactions with other cards

The Power of Redundancy

Starfleet Communicator features a cast trigger that creates a copy of the spell. Because the copy is created while the original is still on the stack, it will resolve and enter the battlefield as a token before the original card does. This provides you with two separate Equipment pieces for a single card investment, allowing you to equip two different creatures right away.

Resolving the Attack Trigger

When a creature equipped with Starfleet Communicator attacks, its triggered ability goes on the stack. Upon resolution, the game checks how many other creatures you control that currently have a Communicator attached to them. This value is X. You then draw X cards and may put up to X land cards from your hand onto the battlefield tapped. Note that the land cards come from your hand, which now includes the cards you just drew.

Common Mistakes

A common mistake is forgetting that the ability counts creatures, not the Equipment themselves. If a single creature has two Starfleet Communicators attached, it does not count toward its own X value. The ability specifically looks for 'other creatures' with a Communicator. Additionally, the land cards always enter the battlefield tapped, regardless of their own abilities or the current turn phase.

Strategic Timing

Since the equip cost is only one mana, it is highly efficient to move these around your board to maximize the X value. To get the most out of the draw and ramp effect, you should aim to have at least two creatures equipped before declaring attackers. This ensures that every time one attacks, X is at least 1, allowing you to cycle through your deck and ramp into larger threats.

Interaction examples

Basic Deployment

Starfleet Communicator

You cast Starfleet Communicator for three mana. The cast trigger puts a copy on the stack. The copy resolves first, entering as a token. Then the original resolves. You now have two Starfleet Communicators on the battlefield. You pay one mana to equip the first to Creature A and another mana to equip the second to Creature B. When Creature A attacks, it checks for other creatures with a Communicator. It sees Creature B, so X equals 1. You draw one card and may put one land from your hand onto the battlefield tapped.

Accelerating Resources

Starfleet CommunicatorArcane Signet

With Arcane Signet providing extra mana, you can quickly cast Starfleet Communicator and pay the equip costs. If you have three creatures and manage to get a Communicator (via the copy mechanic) on all of them through multiple casts or other copy effects, attacking with one creature will see two 'other' equipped creatures. This results in drawing two cards and potentially putting two lands into play tapped, significantly ahead of the normal mana curve.

Safe Scouting

Starfleet CommunicatorSwiftfoot Boots

You equip a creature with both Swiftfoot Boots and Starfleet Communicator. The Swiftfoot Boots provide Haste, allowing the creature to attack immediately the turn it is played. When it attacks, if you have another creature equipped with a second Starfleet Communicator, the trigger will resolve, drawing you cards and ramping lands while your attacker remains protected from targeted removal thanks to Hexproof.