Chronicler of Heroes will always trigger when it enters the battlefield, even if you don’t have any creatures with +1/+1 counters on them at that time. From a rules perspective, this is because Chronicler of Heroes’ ability doesn’t contain an “intervening if” clause. The ability will trigger even if your Chronicler is all alone when she enters the battlefield. The only thing that matters is whether you control a creature with a +1/+1 counter when the ability resolves.

This creates a nice interaction where you can draw a card if you have some way to put a counter on one of your creatures before the triggered ability resolves. A simple way of doing this is to put a counter on the Chronicler (or any of your creatures) with Bow of Nylea.

The Chronicler also plays nicely with evolve creatures. Suppose you control an unevolved Gyre Sage. When the Chronicler enters the battlefield, this triggers both the Sage’s and the Chronicler’s abilities. Since you control both cards, you can put the evolve trigger on the stack above the Chronicler’s trigger. After both triggers resolve, your Gyre Sage will be a bit bigger and you’ll have drawn a card.

Be careful, though: your opponent can deny you a card by using the same kind of tactics against you! For example, if you control a Fabled Hero with some +1/+1 counters and cast Chronicler of Heroes, your opponent can cast Hero’s Downfall on your double striking warrior before the Chronicler’s trigger resolves. Since you don’t control any heroes when the Chronicler’s ability goes to resolve, you won’t draw a card.

Today’s Rules Tip written by Paul Baranay