Test of ConvictionHow it works & interactions with other cards

Choosing Your Path

As you cast Test of Conviction, you must choose one of its two modes: 'Battle Stations' or 'Begin Negotiations'. This choice is made during the casting process and cannot be changed once the spell is on the stack. Because it is a sorcery, you can only cast it during your main phase while the stack is empty.

Step-by-Step Resolution

First, ensure you have the required mana and a valid target if you choose the second mode. If you choose Battle Stations, the spell checks which creatures you control as it resolves and places a +1/+1 counter on each of them. If you choose Begin Negotiations, you must target an opponent. That opponent draws one card first, then you draw two cards. If the targeted opponent becomes an illegal target before resolution, the entire spell is normally removed from the stack and fails to resolve.

Strategic Considerations

A common mistake is forgetting that 'Begin Negotiations' requires a target. You cannot choose this mode if your opponent has hexproof or if you have no opponents. Additionally, remember that the +1/+1 counters from 'Battle Stations' are permanent, making it a strong choice when you have a wide board of creatures.

When to Cast

Use 'Battle Stations' immediately before combat to maximize damage, or 'Begin Negotiations' when you have extra mana and need to find specific answers in your deck. While giving an opponent a card is a drawback, drawing two cards for two mana is an exceptionally efficient rate for white spells.

Interaction examples

Returning the Test

Sevinne's Reclamation

If Test of Conviction is in your graveyard, you can cast Sevinne's Reclamation to return it to the battlefield. However, since Test of Conviction is a sorcery and not a permanent card, Sevinne's Reclamation cannot target it. You would instead use Sevinne's Reclamation to bring back a creature, then cast Test of Conviction from your hand to buff that creature with a +1/+1 counter.

A Tactical Buffet

If you control three 1/1 Soldier tokens and cast Test of Conviction choosing 'Battle Stations', each token receives a +1/+1 counter, turning your 3 power board into 6 power permanently. If the board is empty, you instead choose 'Begin Negotiations' to target your opponent; they draw one card, and you draw two, helping you find more creatures to play.

Searching for Support

Open the Armory

While Open the Armory can search for an Aura or Equipment, it cannot find Test of Conviction because Test of Conviction is a Sorcery. You would use Open the Armory first to find a powerful Equipment, then cast Test of Conviction later to draw the lands needed to equip it via the 'Begin Negotiations' mode.