What it does
Battalion isn't a true keyword—it's an "ability word" introduced on Boros creatures in Gatecrash. It simply flavors a triggered ability that checks whether a creature attacks alongside at least two other creatures. The classic example, Boros Elite, reads: "Whenever Boros Elite and at least two other creatures attack, Boros Elite gets +2/+2 until end of turn."
The nuance: battalion only cares about the moment of declaring attackers. You need the named creature plus two others—three total attackers minimum—all declared simultaneously. Creatures put onto the battlefield attacking later, or that attack via separate triggers, generally won't satisfy it. Because it's an ability word, it grants nothing inherently; the reminder text varies per card.
In Commander, battalion rewards go-wide aggro strategies. With token swarms and Boros' typical wide boards, hitting three attackers is trivial, making these payoffs reliable but rarely game-defining alone.
Iconic cards with Battalion
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