Valiant in MTG: Rules, History, and Best Cards

Last updated on August 8, 2024

Flowerfoot Swordmaster | Illustration by Aaron Miller

Help me brainstorm. I’m looking for a word to describe my protagonist. They’re an adventurer in my fantasy story. They do a lot of brave things, placing their community and the small folk above themself, above their own safety. I’m looking for an adjective to describe my hero’s deeds….

I know! Valiant!

Bloomburrow introduces this ability word that’ll remind many players of another ability that’s mostly locked to a different Magic plane. So how does valiant work, and how does it compare to heroic? I dove into this mechanic, so let’s hop into the fray!

How Does Valiant Work?

Emberheart Challenger | Illustration by Chris Rahn

Valiant is an ability word that triggers whenever a creature with valiant becomes the target of a spell or ability you control, but only the first time each turn.

This ability is similar to heroic, but there are fundamental differences. Valiant cares about your creatures getting targeted by spells or abilities.  Heroic only cares about your creatures getting targeted by spells.

Valiant can only be triggered by the first spell or ability that targets your creature each turn while heroic can trigger multiple times a turn.

The History of Valiant in MTG

Valiant is a progression of the heroic ability that debuted in the Theros block. While heroic is tied to the Theros plane, valiant was introduced in the Bloomburrow MTG set. White features both mechanics heavily and both abilities synergize well.

In Bloomburrow, valiant is an ability locked into red and white that only appears on cards with the mouse creature type.

Is Valiant a Triggered Ability?

Yes! Valiant is an ability that triggers the first time your creature becomes the target of one of your spells or abilities each turn.

Can You Trigger Valiant More than Once?

No, not without extra turns or ability doublers like Delney, Streetwise Lookout.

Gallery and List of Valiant Cards

• Emberheart Challenger
• Flowerfoot Swordmaster
• Heartfire Hero
• Mouse Trapper
• Nettle Guard
• Seedglaive Mentor
• Veteran Guardmouse
• Whiskerquill Scribe
• Whiskervale Forerunner

Best Valiant Cards

Flowerfoot Swordmaster and its offspring give you two creatures to target at once for only one card slot. They also buff all your mice. This mouse soldier will likely be one of the best uncommons in Bloomburrow Limited.

The hope with Emberheart Challenger is that you can trigger its valiant ability to get a card that triggers its prowess. The ability isn’t great to trigger on your opponents’ turns given timing restrictions, but as a hasty red 2-drop this mouse warrior may end up being one of Bloomburrow‘s best cards in Standard.

Whiskervale Forerunner’s valiant ability lets you dig through your library to tutor up more creatures. It grabs most mice in Bloomburrow, as well as all the ones from Wilds of Eldraine.

Decklist: Valiant in Modern

Whiskervale Forerunner | Illustration by Ryan Pancoast

This deck isn’t meant to be remotely competitive in Modern so much as an illustration of how valiant works, especially when compared to heroic. I took a standard heroic deck and substituted valiant creatures for the heroic creatures. I haven’t included or touched the sideboard because this is more of a proof-of-concept than a recommended final deck.

The valiant creatures appreciate both the combat tricks and the ability on Giver of Runes, but their abilities only trigger once per turn. Feather, the Redeemed remains a strong synergy card to ensure you never run out of spells to target your creatures.

Wrap Up

Veteran Guardmouse | Illustration by Campbell White

Valiant is another in a long line of similar-yet-different mechanics introduced in 2020s Magic. While I don’t mind keeping it distinct from heroic, since that mechanic is very tied to Theros, I can certainly see the criticisms.

What do you think of valiant? What do you think of Boros () mice in Bloomburrow Limited? Let me know in the comments below or over on the Draftsim Discord.

Until next time, fight valiantly!