Stoic ChampionHow it works & interactions with other cards

What it Does

Stoic Champion has a triggered ability that triggers whenever a player cycles a card. Note that this includes not just your own cycling actions, but those of your opponents as well. Each time the ability resolves, the Champion gains a +2/+2 bonus until the end of the turn, which can quickly turn a small 2/2 into a massive attacker.

Step-by-Step Resolution

First, a player must activate a cycling ability from their hand by paying the cost and discarding the card. Second, Stoic Champion's ability triggers and is put on the stack on top of the cycling draw effect. Third, the Champion's +2/+2 bonus resolves first. Finally, the player who cycled the card draws their card from the original cycling activation.

Common Mistakes

A common mistake is forgetting that Stoic Champion triggers off opponents. In multiplayer games, keep a close eye on other players discarding cards to cycle, as you still get the bonus. Additionally, remember that the bonus is temporary; it disappears during the cleanup step at the end of the turn, so you cannot permanently grow the Champion this way.

When to Play It

This card is best utilized in a dedicated cycling shell where you can reliably trigger the ability multiple times in a single turn. It is particularly effective during the combat phase; by cycling cards after blockers are declared, you can surprise your opponent with a much larger creature than they anticipated.

Interaction examples

Taxing with Power

Esper Sentinel

If you have both creatures on the battlefield and you cycle a card, Stoic Champion gets +2/+2. This increases its power, which in turn increases the tax required for Esper Sentinel's ability. If an opponent then casts a noncreature spell, they must pay more mana to prevent you from drawing a card because the Champion's buff has increased the 'X' value for the Sentinel's power-based check.

Mana Fix and Buff

Ornithopter of Paradise

If you are short on mana to cycle a card in your hand, you can tap Ornithopter of Paradise to add one mana of any color. Use this mana to pay for a cycling cost. This triggers Stoic Champion, giving it +2/+2, while the Ornithopter provides the necessary resources to fuel the growth.

Solo Combat Trick

During your turn, you attack with Stoic Champion as a 2/2. Your opponent chooses not to block. Before damage, you cycle a card from your hand. The ability triggers, Stoic Champion becomes a 4/4, and it deals 4 damage instead of 2. You then draw a card from the cycling effect.