Trial of ZealHow it works & interactions with other cards

Burn and Bounce

Trial of Zeal has two distinct triggered abilities. The first triggers when it enters the battlefield, dealing 3 damage to any target (a player, planeswalker, or creature). The second trigger is what gives the card its longevity: whenever a Cartouche enters the battlefield under your control, you must return Trial of Zeal from the battlefield to your hand. This allows you to reset the enchantment and prepare to deal another 3 damage when you cast it again later.

Resolution Step-by-Step

When you cast Trial of Zeal, it moves to the stack. Once it resolves and enters the battlefield, the 'enters' trigger goes on the stack. You choose your target at this time. If the target is still legal when the ability resolves, it deals 3 damage. Later, if you play a Cartouche, its own entry trigger and the Trial's return trigger will both trigger. You must return the Trial to your hand as its ability resolves, but only if it is still on the battlefield at that moment.

Common Pitfalls

A common mistake involves the timing of the return ability. The Trial is only returned to your hand if it is actually on the battlefield when the Cartouche's entry triggers the return ability. If Trial of Zeal is destroyed in response to a Cartouche being played, it will stay in the graveyard. Additionally, the damage ability is mandatory; if there are no other legal targets and you are the only player with a creature, you might be forced to target yourself or your own creatures.

When to Play It

This card is best used in aggressive or midrange decks that can benefit from repeated removal. It excels in environments where you have several Cartouches to ensure you can 'blink' the Trial back to your hand. It is also an excellent tool for finishing off opponents with low life totals, as the damage can be directed at players.

Interaction examples

Stacking Entry Triggers

Impact Tremors

With Impact Tremors on the battlefield, you cast Trial of Zeal. When Trial of Zeal enters, its damage ability triggers. If you then play a creature that happens to be a Cartouche, Impact Tremors triggers to deal 1 damage to each opponent, and Trial of Zeal triggers to return itself to your hand. You can stack these to ensure the opponent takes damage before the Trial safely returns to your hand for future use.

Escaping the Grave

Underworld Breach

If Trial of Zeal is in your graveyard, Underworld Breach grants it Escape. You can cast Trial of Zeal from your graveyard by paying its mana cost and exiling three cards. It enters the battlefield, triggers its 3-damage ability, and if you then play a Cartouche, the Trial returns to your hand. This is a powerful way to bypass the sacrifice clause of Underworld Breach, as the Trial moves to your hand rather than being sacrificed at the end step.