Syr Konrad's SquireHow it works & interactions with other cards

A Multi-Trigger Menace

The core of Syr Konrad's Squire is its highly sensitive triggered ability. Unlike most creatures that only trigger upon death, this card reacts to almost any zone change. It triggers if it dies, is milled from your library, is exiled from your graveyard, is returned to your hand, or even if it phases out. No matter where it goes, it deals 1 damage to each opponent.

Step-by-Step Resolution

When an event occurs that moves the Squire (such as dying or being exiled), the ability triggers and is put onto the stack. Since it says 'each opponent,' the damage is dealt simultaneously to everyone playing against you. If the Squire moves from the graveyard to your hand, it triggers. If it is then cast and later dies, it triggers again. Each movement is a distinct event that creates a new trigger on the stack.

Common Pitfalls

One common mistake is forgetting that 'leaving the graveyard' includes returning it to your hand or library, as well as exiling it. Also, note that this ability triggers when the Squire phases out, which is a rare mechanic but very powerful here. However, it does not trigger when it simply enters the battlefield from your hand; it must be moving to a graveyard, library, exile, hand, or phasing out to deal its damage.

Strategy and Timing

The best time to use Syr Konrad's Squire is in a deck that utilizes graveyard recursion or sacrifice outlets. Since it triggers on leaving the graveyard, cards that bring it back to the battlefield or your hand essentially double the damage output. It acts as a reliable clock, slowly chipping away at your opponents' life totals through normal gameplay actions.

Interaction examples

Double the Drain

Blood Artist

If Syr Konrad's Squire dies while Blood Artist is on the battlefield, both abilities trigger. Blood Artist allows you to target an opponent to lose 1 life and you gain 1 life. Simultaneously, the Squire deals 1 damage to each opponent. This results in your chosen opponent losing a total of 2 life, while other opponents lose 1 life.

Flying Sacrifice

Ornithopter of Paradise

While Ornithopter of Paradise provides the mana to cast your Squire, they interact most interestingly during board wipes. If an opponent casts a spell that destroys all creatures, Syr Konrad's Squire triggers as it dies, dealing 1 damage to each opponent. The Ornithopter simply dies, but its presence as a creature ensures you had the board state to pressure the opponent before the wipe occurred.

Exile Punishment

If an opponent attempts to exile Syr Konrad's Squire from your graveyard using an effect like Tormod's Crypt, the Squire's ability triggers twice: once for 'leaving the graveyard' and once for 'being put into exile'. This results in a total of 2 damage to each opponent from a single exile effect.