Sunstar Chaplain 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
At the beginning of your end step, if you control two or more tapped creatures, put a +1/+1 counter on target creature you control., Remove a +1/+1 counter from a creature you control: Tap target artifact or creature.
Complete guide
Sunstar Chaplain is a versatile Human Cleric that rewards a busy board state while offering powerful utility. By leveraging your tapped creatures, it grows your team and provides a reliable way to lock down your opponent's best assets.
Growing the Ranks
The first ability of Sunstar Chaplain triggers at the beginning of your end step, but only if you meet the specific condition of controlling two or more tapped creatures. If you satisfy this requirement, you get to place a +1/+1 counter on any target creature you control, including the Chaplain itself. This makes it an excellent engine for decks that frequently attack or use activated abilities that require tapping.
The Intervening 'If' Clause
Sunstar Chaplain uses what is known as an 'intervening if clause' for its triggered ability. This means the condition (controlling two or more tapped creatures) is checked twice: once when the end step begins to see if the ability even triggers, and again when the ability tries to resolve. If your opponent destroys or untaps your creatures in response to the trigger such that you control fewer than two tapped creatures, the ability will do nothing.
Tactical Tapping
The second ability allows you to spend two mana and remove a +1/+1 counter from any creature you control to tap a target artifact or creature. Since this ability does not use the tap symbol ({T}), you can use it the same turn Sunstar Chaplain enters the battlefield, provided you have the mana and a counter to spare. This is perfect for clearing blockers or stopping an opponent's mana rock during their turn.
Interaction examples
Esper SentinelIf you attack with Sunstar Chaplain and another creature, the Chaplain's end step trigger will fire. You can place the +1/+1 counter on Esper Sentinel. Because the Sentinel's tax ability scales with its power, the Chaplain effectively makes it harder for your opponent to cast noncreature spells without giving you a card.
Ornithopter of ParadiseYou can tap Ornithopter of Paradise for mana during your main phase. At the beginning of your end step, if you also attacked with Sunstar Chaplain, you now control two tapped creatures. This fulfills the condition to put a +1/+1 counter on a creature. Later, you can remove that counter to use the Chaplain's second ability to tap down an opponent's threat.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Sunstar Chaplain
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
Sunstar Chaplain’s first ability will check as your end step starts to see if you control two or more tapped creatures. If you don’t, the ability won’t trigger at all. You won’t be able to tap anything during your end step in time to have the ability trigger. If you don’t control two or more tapped creatures when the ability resolves, the ability won’t do anything.
No other card is named in this ruling.
Legal formats
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Meta decks with Sunstar Chaplain
No archived Top 8 deck with this card yet.