Weathered SentinelsHow it works & interactions with other cards

Breaking the Defender Barrier

While Weathered Sentinels has defender, its static ability creates a specific exception. If a player attacked you during their last turn, the Sentinels ignore the defender restriction when you declare attackers during your turn. This effect only checks if the player attacked 'you'; it does not matter if the Sentinels were on the battlefield when that attack occurred, only that the attack happened during that player's most recent turn.

Offensive Buffs and Resolution

When you declare Weathered Sentinels as an attacker, its triggered ability goes on the stack. Upon resolution, it gains a +3/+3 power and toughness boost and indestructible until end of turn. Because it has vigilance, it remains untapped during this process, allowing it to stay ready for defense. With trample, the extra power ensures that even if your opponent blocks with small creatures, the damage will likely reach the player who dared to attack you.

Common Misconceptions

A common mistake is assuming Weathered Sentinels can attack any player or planeswalker once triggered. It can only attack the specific player who attacked you, or a planeswalker that player controls. Furthermore, the 'attacked you' condition is checked based on the player's last turn relative to your current turn. If they skipped their last turn or did not declare any attackers against you specifically, the Sentinels must stay back to defend.

Interaction examples

Aggressive Retaliation

Solemn Simulacrum

Suppose your opponent attacks you with Solemn Simulacrum. On your following turn, Weathered Sentinels recognizes that this player attacked you during their last turn. You may now declare Weathered Sentinels as an attacker against that player. As it attacks, it triggers to become a 5/8 with indestructible and trample, easily crashing through the 2/2 Golem if the opponent chooses to block.

Doubling the Sentinel's Might

Roaming Throne

If you control Roaming Throne with 'Wall' or 'Construct' chosen, and you attack a player with Weathered Sentinels, the Throne's ability sees the Sentinel's attack trigger. The +3/+3 and indestructible ability triggers twice. Weathered Sentinels will resolve both triggers, becoming an 8/11 creature with indestructible and trample for the duration of the turn.