Tajic, Blade of the LegionHow it works & interactions with other cards

Unpacking Indestructible and Battalion

Tajic features two powerful abilities: a static keyword and a triggered ability. Indestructible means that effects that say "destroy" or lethal combat damage won't send Tajic to the graveyard. His second ability, Battalion, is a triggered ability that checks the number of attackers. For this to trigger, you must declare Tajic and at least two other creatures as attackers at the same time during the Declare Attackers step.

Step-by-Step Resolution

First, you enter the combat phase and move to the Declare Attackers step. You choose Tajic and at least two other creatures to attack. Once these creatures are declared as attackers, the Battalion ability triggers and is put onto the stack. Players may respond to this trigger. If the trigger resolves, Tajic gains +5/+5 until the end of the turn, regardless of whether the other attacking creatures are removed from combat or the battlefield after the trigger was placed on the stack.

Common Mistakes

A common misconception is that all three creatures must attack the same target. However, Tajic's ability triggers as long as three creatures attack in total, even if they are attacking different players, planeswalkers, or battles. Another error is thinking that creatures entering the battlefield attacking (via other card effects) will count toward the three required attackers; Battalion only checks creatures that are specifically 'declared' as attackers during the turn's combat step.

When to Play Tajic

Tajic is most effective in decks that can consistently maintain a board presence of at least three creatures. Because he is indestructible, he is an excellent choice for attacking into boards with large blockers, as he will survive the encounter and potentially deal massive damage if his Battalion ability is active.

Interaction examples

Building the Battalion

Solemn Simulacrum

If you control Tajic, Blade of the Legion, a Solemn Simulacrum, and any other creature, and you declare all three as attackers, Tajic's Battalion ability triggers. Even if your opponent uses a removal spell to destroy the Solemn Simulacrum in response to the trigger, the ability has already successfully fired. Tajic will still get +5/+5 when the ability resolves, making him a 7/7 indestructible threat.

Doubling the Might

Roaming Throne

If Roaming Throne enters the battlefield and you choose 'Human' or 'Soldier', it will interact with Tajic. When Tajic, Roaming Throne, and one other creature attack, Tajic's Battalion ability triggers. Because Roaming Throne is a creature of the chosen type, its static ability causes Tajic's Battalion ability to trigger an additional time. Tajic will receive two separate +5/+5 bonuses, becoming a massive 12/12 for the turn.