War ChariotHow it works & interactions with other cards

What It Does

War Chariot is an artifact that provides a repeatable activated ability. For three generic mana and tapping the artifact, you choose one target creature to receive trample until the end of the current turn. This allows that creature to deal excess combat damage to the defending player or planeswalker after dealing lethal damage to all blockers.

Step-by-Step Resolution

First, ensure you have three mana available and that War Chariot is untapped. Activate the ability by paying the mana and tapping the card, then declare a legal target creature. Once the ability resolves, the creature gains trample. Even if War Chariot leaves the battlefield later in the turn, the creature retains trample until the turn ends.

Common Mistakes

A frequent error is waiting until the 'Assign Blockers' step to activate the ability. While you can do this, the target creature must be chosen before the ability resolves. Additionally, remember that War Chariot itself does not have haste; unless you have a way to grant it haste, you cannot tap it the same turn it enters the battlefield.

When to Play It

War Chariot is most effective in decks with large creatures that lack evasion. It is a 'mana sink' that can be used every turn cycle to make blocking math difficult for your opponent. Because it is an artifact, it fits into any color identity, making it a flexible inclusion for combat-focused strategies.

Interaction examples

Powering the Chariot

Arcane Signet

You can tap Arcane Signet to produce one mana toward the three-mana activation cost of War Chariot. This demonstrates how mana rocks help you afford the recurring cost of granting trample every turn.

Protection and Speed

Swiftfoot Boots

If you play War Chariot and then equip a creature with Swiftfoot Boots, that creature gains haste. You can then tap War Chariot to give that creature trample, allowing it to attack and push through damage immediately with the safety of hexproof.