Super-Soldier SerumHow it works & interactions with other cards

What it Does

Super-Soldier Serum grants the enchanted creature +2/+2, first strike, and vigilance. It also adds the Legendary supertype and the Soldier creature type to whatever it is attached to. Most importantly, it has a triggered ability that triggers whenever that creature is declared as an attacker or blocker, allowing you to move any number of Equipment you control onto it for free.

Step-by-Step Resolution

First, you must cast the Aura targeting a creature; once it enters, the stat and type changes are static and immediate. When you declare the enchanted creature as an attacker or blocker, the last ability triggers and you choose any number of target Equipment you control. As the trigger resolves, those Equipment are unattached from their current permanents and attached to the enchanted creature simultaneously. This happens during the Declare Attackers or Declare Blockers step, before damage is dealt.

Common Mistakes

One common error is forgetting that the creature becomes Legendary. If you control two creatures with the same name and enchant one with Super-Soldier Serum, the 'Legend Rule' does not apply because only one is legendary. However, if you have two different creatures both enchanted with Super-Soldier Serum that share a name, you would have to put one into your graveyard. Also, remember that moving Equipment this way does not require you to pay any Equip costs.

When to Play It

This card is best played when you have high-cost Equipment like Batterskull or Argentum Armor on the battlefield, as it bypasses their expensive equip costs. Because it grants vigilance, it allows your 'Super-Soldier' to attack and then remain untapped to trigger the ability again on defense, potentially suiting up even more gear to block effectively.

Interaction examples

Breaking Through Defenses

Ghostly Prison

If your opponent controls Ghostly Prison, you must still pay {2} to declare your creature as an attacker. Once you pay and the creature is legally declared as an attacker, Super-Soldier Serum triggers. You can then pull all your Equipment onto the creature, ensuring that the one creature you could afford to attack with is as powerful as possible.

Defensive Tactics

Authority of the Consuls

If your opponent has Authority of the Consuls, your creatures enter tapped, which usually prevents them from blocking. However, because Super-Soldier Serum grants Vigilance, if you can untap the creature or if it was already on the battlefield, it can attack without tapping. When it later blocks an opponent's creature, the Serum triggers again, allowing you to re-equip defensive tools to survive the combat.