Zhalfirin KnightHow it works & interactions with other cards

Understanding Flanking

Flanking is a triggered ability that occurs during the declare blockers step. Whenever a creature without the flanking ability blocks Zhalfirin Knight, that blocker immediately gets -1/-1 until the end of the turn. This happens before any combat damage is dealt, meaning small creatures might die before they get to strike back.

Activating First Strike

For the cost of two white mana, you can grant Zhalfirin Knight first strike. If you activate this ability before the combat damage step, the Knight will deal its damage before creatures without first strike or double strike. When combined with flanking, this makes the Knight very difficult to kill in fair combat.

Strategic Timing

The flanking ability triggers as soon as blockers are declared. If you want to use the first strike ability effectively, you must activate it no later than the declare blockers step, after you see what your opponent is using to block. Note that if a creature with flanking blocks Zhalfirin Knight, the flanking ability does not trigger at all.

Interaction examples

Weaking the Golem

Solemn Simulacrum

If you attack with Zhalfirin Knight and your opponent blocks with Solemn Simulacrum, the flanking ability triggers because the Golem does not have flanking. Solemn Simulacrum becomes a 1/1 creature until end of turn. If you then activate the Knight's ability for first strike, the Knight deals 2 damage and destroys the Golem before the Golem can deal its 1 damage back.

Doubling the Weakness

Roaming Throne

With Roaming Throne on the battlefield naming 'Knight', Zhalfirin Knight's triggered abilities will trigger twice. When a creature without flanking blocks Zhalfirin Knight, the flanking ability triggers an additional time, giving the blocker a total of -2/-2. This can take down even medium-sized blockers before combat damage is even calculated.