Sword-Swallowing SeraphHow it works & interactions with other cards

Sticking the Landing

When Sword-Swallowing Seraph enters the battlefield, you have the option to place a name sticker on a nonland permanent you own. Unlike ability or power/toughness stickers, name stickers don't cost tickets to apply; you simply choose a sticker from your available sticker sheets and place it on a permanent. This permanently modifies the name of that card for as long as it remains on the battlefield.

Nurturing the Talent

The Seraph's second ability allows you to pay {1}{W} and tap it to place a +1/+1 counter on another target creature that already has a name sticker. Because this ability is restricted to sorcery speed, you must activate it during one of your main phases while the stack is empty. The combination of vigilance and this activated ability is particularly potent, as the Seraph can attack during your combat phase and then be tapped to buff a teammate later in the turn.

Important Clarifications

It is important to remember that you can only place a name sticker on a permanent you own. If you have taken control of an opponent's creature, you cannot place a sticker on it when the Seraph enters. Additionally, name stickers persist on the object as it moves to a public zone (like the graveyard or exile), but the Seraph's activated ability can only target 'creatures,' which refers specifically to objects currently on the battlefield.

Interaction examples

Reviving the Performer

Sun Titan

If Sword-Swallowing Seraph is in your graveyard, you can attack with Sun Titan to return the Seraph to the battlefield. Because the Seraph enters from the graveyard, its triggered ability still triggers, allowing you to place a new name sticker on Sun Titan. Now, the Seraph can use its activated ability to place +1/+1 counters on Sun Titan in future turns.

Growing the Horror

Psychosis Crawler

With Psychosis Crawler on the battlefield, you cast Sword-Swallowing Seraph and choose to put a name sticker on the Crawler. During your second main phase, you pay {1}{W} and tap the Seraph to place a +1/+1 counter on Psychosis Crawler. This counter provides a permanent boost to the Crawler's power and toughness that exists independently of the number of cards in your hand.

The Vigilance Advantage

Sword-Swallowing Seraph has vigilance, meaning it does not tap to attack. During your combat phase, you attack with the Seraph. During your post-combat main phase, the Seraph is still untapped, allowing you to activate its ability to place a +1/+1 counter on another stickered creature you control.