Blaze Commando is a Minotaur Soldier, which is a pretty sweet creature type you don’t see every day.  He also has an triggered ability you don’t see very often, one that triggers whenever an instant or sorcery spell you control deals damage.

This trigger is a little tricky to understand, but the important thing to realize is that whenever a spell or ability deals damage, that spell will specify where the damage is coming from (formally, the “source” of the damage).  For many spells, the source of damage is the spell itself, like with Pillar of Flame.

However, some spells will cause other cards to deal damage.  As an example, Pit Fight causes two creatures to fight and damage each other.  Pit Fight itself doesn’t actually deal any damage, so Blaze Commando won’t trigger.

For more information on Blaze Commando, see this tip!

Today’s Rules Tip written by Paul Baranay