In the world of Magic: The Gathering, reflexive triggers represent some of the most nuanced and intricate aspects of a triggered ability. Join us as Chuanjie Seow walks us through reflexive triggers, delving deeper into how the ability work.
Reflexive triggers are weird. Even weirder when there is a reflexive trigger upon reflexive trigger, like in the case of Ajani, Nacatl Avenger who is widely played in Modern Boros or Mardu Energy aggro decks.
Ajani, Nacatl Avenger: Breaking Down the Second Ability
Let’s go straight to the reminder rulings on Gatherer!
You don’t choose a target for Ajani, Nacatl Avenger‘s second ability, when you activate it. Rather, if you control a red permanent other than Ajani, Nacatl Avenger a second “reflexive” ability triggers when you create a Cat Warrior creature token this way . You choose a target for that ability as it goes on the stack. Each player may respond to this triggered ability as normal.
Comparing Ajani’s Triggers with Grist, the Hunger Tide
This is different from Grist, the Hunger Tide, another Modern Horizons Planeswalker with reflexive triggers. Ajani, Nacatl Avenger‘s damage-dealing reflexive ability is completely reliant on Cat Warriors being created. Meow lovers, unite!
Flowchart of Ajani’s Second Ability in Action
Without further ado, let’s go straight to the flow chart that explains what happens when you activate Ajani, Nacatl Avenger 2nd loyalty ability. We, of course, assume we have another red permanent in play since we want to enjoy the fullest of the interactions this card can provide! The chart is using the Divine Visitation replacement effect, so no Cat Warrior tokens are generated. Mondrak, Glory Dominus to create additional Cat Warrior tokens, and Chatterfang, Squirrel General, to create a Cat Warrior token with another token.
Effects from cards like Torpor Orb and Doorkeeper Thrull do not stop Ajani, Nacatl Avenger from dealing damage when a Cat Warrior token is created. Since “create a token” is a distinct event from “a token enters,” Ajani’s second loyalty ability’s reflexive trigger still activates even with these cards in play.
I would like to thank Hsu Tienming / Sugeng Hartawan for creating the entire flowchart for easy viewing. Steven Zwanger
and Smith Lo
for verifying the rulings are correct!
Shing Nien Fong reminded that: If, while the damage-dealing reflexive trigger is on the stack, the other red permanent (if it was the only one) is removed, the trigger will fizzle. This occurs due to the intervening “if” clause of the damage-dealing reflexive trigger.
PS: A fellow ket lover, Andre Mitchell, shared a simple yet meowmazing example of how Ajani works.
1 meow = 1 pew
2 meow = pew pew
1 woof = 0 pew
1 meow 1 woof = 1 pew
10 meows = pew pew pew pew pew pew pew pew pew pew
That’s it from us. Remember to stay safe and stay awesome.
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