Battalion
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- For the Morningtide theme deck, see Battalion (preconstructed theme deck).
| Battalion | |
|---|---|
| Ability Word | |
| Introduced | Gatecrash |
| Last used | Fallout |
| Typical Text | Battalion — Whenever this card and at least two other creatures attack, … |
| Storm Scale | 4[1] |
| Scryfall Statistics | |
Battalion is an ability word introduced in Gatecrash, wherein it is the Boros Legion guild mechanic.[2]
Description
Battalion gives an advantageous effect when a creature with battalion attacks alongside 2 or more other creatures. The mechanic was designed or inspired by Shawn Main, who, for the Great Designer Search 2, submitted "Assault".[3][4] Dragon's Maze added 2 cards with batallion.
Further cards would be added in Unstable, Doctor Who, Ravnica: Clue Edition and Fallout.
Rulings
- The three attacking creatures don't have to be attacking the same player or planeswalker.
- Once a battalion ability has triggered, it doesn't matter how many creatures are still attacking when that ability resolves.
- The effects of battalion abilities vary from card to card. Read each card carefully.
Examples
Example
Firemane Avenger 
Creature — Angel
3/3
Battalion — Whenever this creature and at least two other creatures attack, this creature deals 3 damage to any target and you gain 3 life.
Trivia
- Haazda Marshal and Makeshift Battalion both have unlisted Battalion; the cards are a callback, as both are from sets from Ravnica. Kytheon, Hero of Akros also has unlisted Battalion, though the connection is a more obscure reference, with Akros being a -flavored city as well as Gideon working with the Boros Legion during his time on Ravnica.
- Odric, Master Tactician has a more demanding version of Battalion that "casts" a much more powerful spell (Master Warcraft, also a Boros card).
- Legion's Landing, Warcry Phoenix, Phoenix Chick, Windbrisk Heights, Gallia of the Endless Dance, Inniaz, the Gale Force (fliers only) and Overwhelming Instinct trigger off attacking with three or more creatures, which can exclude the ability holder itself.
- Five more cards from Murders at Karlov Manor trigger off three controlled attackers, as part of a mechanical reference to Battalion.
- On silver bordered cards, one variant of Garbage Elemental has Battalion.
References
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (May 2, 2016). "Storm Scale: Ravnica and Return to Ravnica". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (January 7, 2013). "Gatecrashing the Party, Part 2". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (December 26, 2012). "First evolve and now we're getting Shawn Main's assault mechanic under the name battalion. Is RtR going to be the Great Designer Search block? :)". Blogatog. Tumblr.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (December 26, 2012). "Was Battalion called attackcraft (or even Warcraft) in design?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
