Trained CondorHow it works & interactions with other cards

Taking to the Skies

Trained Condor is a 2/1 creature with Flying, but its true strength lies in its triggered ability. Whenever Trained Condor is declared as an attacker, you may choose another target creature you control to gain flying until the end of the current turn. This allows a non-flying threat to bypass most blockers, effectively turning your strongest ground attacker into an aerial menace for a turn.

Triggering the Flight

The ability triggers exactly when you declare Trained Condor as an attacking creature during the Declare Attackers step. You must choose a target creature you control that is not Trained Condor at this time. If the target is valid, the ability goes on the stack and resolves before blockers are chosen, ensuring your targeted creature has the flying keyword during the Declare Blockers step.

Common Pitfalls

A common mistake is forgetting that the target must be 'another' creature you control. Trained Condor cannot target itself to double up on flying, nor can it target a creature you do not control. Additionally, if Trained Condor is put onto the battlefield already attacking (through an effect like Ninjutsu or certain spells), its ability will not trigger because it was never declared as an attacker.

Strategic Timing

Since the effect lasts until the end of the turn, you can even use it to target a creature that doesn't have Haste, though it won't be able to attack that turn. Usually, you will want to target your largest creature or one with a powerful 'combat damage to a player' trigger. Once the turn ends, the flying effect wears off, and the creature returns to being a ground unit.

Interaction examples

Escorting the Golem

Solemn Simulacrum

If you control both creatures, you can declare both as attackers. Trained Condor's ability triggers, targeting Solemn Simulacrum. The Simulacrum gains flying before the opponent can declare blockers, allowing it to fly over ground-based defenders and potentially deal 2 damage directly to the opponent or a planeswalker.

Doubling the Training

Roaming Throne

If Roaming Throne entered the battlefield naming 'Bird', it acts as a Bird in addition to its other types. When Trained Condor attacks, its ability triggers. Because of Roaming Throne's replacement effect, the Condor's ability triggers an additional time. You can choose two different target creatures (or the same creature twice, though redundant) to gain flying, effectively lifting your entire army into the air.