Warren Instigator is one of those cards players keep asking about. Here is, in plain words, what its official text says, the rulings published by Wizards of the Coast, and the combos players actually run.
Official card text
Double strike Whenever this creature deals damage to an opponent, you may put a Goblin creature card from your hand onto the battlefield.
Complete guide
Warren Instigator is a powerful Goblin Berserker that can cheat high-cost creatures directly into play. With its double strike ability, it offers the potential to trigger its recruitment effect twice in a single combat phase. Understanding how this interaction works is key to overwhelming your opponent with a sudden goblin horde.
Double the Strike, Double the Fun
Warren Instigator features double strike, which means it deals both first-strike and regular combat damage. Because its ability triggers 'whenever' it deals damage to an opponent, you get a separate trigger for each damage event. If the Instigator is unblocked, you will have two distinct opportunities to put a Goblin creature card from your hand onto the battlefield.
Step-by-Step Resolution
When Warren Instigator attacks and is not blocked, the process follows these steps: 1. First-strike combat damage is dealt. 2. The ability triggers, allowing you to put a Goblin from your hand onto the battlefield. 3. This new Goblin is now on the field before the next damage step. 4. Regular combat damage is dealt by the Instigator. 5. The ability triggers a second time, letting you put another Goblin card from your hand onto the battlefield.
Common Mistakes
A common misconception is that the damage must be combat damage. While rare for this specific card, any type of damage dealt to an opponent will trigger the effect. Additionally, players often forget that if the Instigator is blocked and killed during the first-strike step, it will not survive to deal regular combat damage, and you will only get one trigger.
Strategic Timing
You should play Warren Instigator early when your opponent lacks blockers. Because the ability triggers on damage, giving it evasion or clearing a path is vital. It is most effective when you have high-mana Goblins in hand that you wish to bypass the casting cost for.
Interaction examples
Professional Face-BreakerIf you control both creatures and Warren Instigator deals combat damage to an opponent, Professional Face-Breaker triggers to create a Treasure token. Because Warren Instigator has double strike, it deals damage in two different steps. Professional Face-Breaker will trigger in each step, resulting in two Treasure tokens total, alongside the two Goblins you may put into play.
Ornithopter of ParadiseIf your opponent has a flying blocker like Ornithopter of Paradise, Warren Instigator may be blocked even if you have no other ground attackers. However, if the Ornithopter of Paradise does not block, the Instigator will deal its damage normally. The Ornithopter of Paradise can also provide the red mana needed to cast Warren Instigator on turn two.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Warren Instigator
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
Warren Instigator’s ability triggers when it deals any kind of damage to an opponent, not just combat damage.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #2· Wizards of the Coast
If Warren Instigator attacks an opponent and isn’t blocked, its double strike ability will cause it to deal combat damage to that opponent twice, once during each combat damage step. Its triggered ability will thus trigger twice: Warren Instigator deals first-strike combat damage, its ability triggers and resolves, it deals regular combat damage, and its ability triggers and resolves again.
No other card is named in this ruling.
Legal formats
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Meta decks with Warren Instigator
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