Varchild's CrusaderHow it works & interactions with other cards

Unblockable Aggression

The primary function of Varchild's Crusader is its activated ability, which costs zero mana. Once activated, the Crusader gains a form of evasion that prevents any non-Wall creature from blocking it for the remainder of the turn. This makes it an excellent tool for finishing off opponents who lack specialized defenders, though it creates a delayed trigger that will eventually result in the creature's death.

The End Step Sacrifice

When you activate the ability, a delayed triggered ability is created. This trigger waits for the 'beginning of the next end step' to occur. If you activate the ability during your own turn, the Crusader will be sacrificed at the start of your own end step. If you somehow activate it during an opponent's turn, it will trigger at the start of their end step. Importantly, this is a triggered ability that uses the stack and can be responded to.

Strategic Timing and Common Pitfalls

A common mistake is forgetting that the sacrifice happens regardless of whether the Crusader actually dealt damage or was blocked by a Wall. Once the ability resolves, the 'contract' is signed. If you activate the ability multiple times in a single turn, multiple sacrifice triggers will be put onto the stack at the next end step, though only the first to resolve will actually find the creature to sacrifice it.

When to Activate

You should typically wait until the declare attackers step to activate the ability, ensuring you need the evasion before committing to the sacrifice. Because the cost is zero, you can also use it as a response to spells or abilities if you have effects that benefit from creatures dying, ensuring you get value from the Crusader before the turn ends.

Interaction examples

The Knight and the Golem

Solemn Simulacrum

If you attack with both creatures and your opponent has a large ground army, you can activate the Crusader's ability to ensure it bypasses their blockers. During your end step, the Crusader's sacrifice trigger goes on the stack. If you have a way to sacrifice Solemn Simulacrum simultaneously, you can stack your effects to draw cards while the Crusader guarantees the damage was dealt earlier.

Doubling the Fate

Roaming Throne

If you control Roaming Throne and chose 'Human' or 'Knight' as it entered, the Throne will see the Varchild's Crusader's sacrifice trigger. At the beginning of the next end step, the delayed trigger will trigger an additional time due to the Throne's ability. While you can only sacrifice the Crusader once, this interaction demonstrates how the sacrifice is a standard triggered ability that follows the rules of doubling.