Setessan Skirmisher

Setessan Skirmisher (Theros Beyond Death)
Greg Staples

Constellation — Whenever an enchantment you control enters, this creature gets +1/+1 until end of turn.

Bassara, the tower of the fox, houses the elite skirmishers who guard the Nessian Wood against trespassers.

Squee, Goblin Nabob (Commander Masters)
Greg Staples

At the beginning of your upkeep, you may return this card from your graveyard to your hand.

"Some goblins are expendable. Some are impossible to get rid of. But he's both—at the same time!" —Starke

Gaddock Teeg (The List)
Greg Staples

Noncreature spells with mana value 4 or greater can't be cast. Noncreature spells with {X} in their mana costs can't be cast.

So great are his wisdom and spirit that many who have met him say that they stood before a giant of a man and talked to the wisest of the four winds.

Mana Short (Seventh Edition)
Greg Staples

Tap all lands target player controls and that player loses all unspent mana.

"Remove their power, and their will to fight will follow." —Tolarian wizard

Silumgar Scavenger (Modern Horizons)
Greg Staples

Flying Exploit (When this creature enters, you may sacrifice a creature.) Whenever another creature you control dies, put a +1/+1 counter on this creature. It gains haste until end of turn if it exploited that creature.

Ill-Gotten Gains (Urza's Saga)
Greg Staples

Exile Ill-Gotten Gains. Each player discards their hand, then returns up to three cards from their graveyard to their hand.

Urza thought it a crusade. Xantcha knew it was a robbery.

Old Rutstein (Innistrad: Crimson Vow)
Greg Staples

When Old Rutstein enters and at the beginning of your upkeep, mill a card. If a land card is milled this way, create a Treasure token. If a creature card is milled this way, create a 1/1 green Insect creature token. If a noncreature, nonland card is milled this way, create a Blood token.

Reckless Wurm (Time Spiral Remastered)
Greg Staples

Trample Madness {2}{R} (If you discard this card, discard it into exile. When you do, cast it for its madness cost or put it into your graveyard.)

Bred for battle in the Grand Coliseum, these wurms annihilated whole ecosystems when released into the wild.

Oxidda Golem (Duel Decks: Jace vs. Chandra)
Greg Staples

Affinity for Mountains (This spell costs {1} less to cast for each Mountain you control.) Haste

The longer it patrols the smoldering crags of the Oxidda Chain, the more it adopts their fiery temper.

Warleader's Helix (Dragon's Maze)
Greg Staples

Warleader's Helix deals 4 damage to any target and you gain 4 life.

"There is no time to remedy our enemies' ignorance. Blast it out of them." —Aurelia

Ashnod's Altar (The Brothers' War Retro Artifacts)
Greg Staples

Sacrifice a creature: Add {C}{C}.

"Blood fluting needs to be deeper. Additional hooks needed for nerve rigging. Surface stippling could be coarser. —Ashnod, design notes

Demonfire (Duel Decks: Jace vs. Chandra)
Greg Staples

Demonfire deals X damage to any target. If a creature dealt damage this way would die this turn, exile it instead. Hellbent — If you have no cards in hand, this spell can't be countered and the damage can't be prevented.

Fyndhorn Elder (Seventh Edition)
Greg Staples

{T}: Add {G}{G}.

"It is useful to be able to speak to the trees. But it is truly wondrous to be able to listen to them."

Vedalken Plotter (Commander 2011)
Greg Staples

When this creature enters, exchange control of target land you control and target land an opponent controls.

"Fair? At what point in our negotiations did you convince yourself my goal was to be fair?"

Sphinx of the Chimes (Return to Ravnica)
Greg Staples

Flying Discard two nonland cards with the same name: Draw four cards.

"I've dreamt of the future, Isperia. Danger is on the horizon. You must heed my warning."

Outmaneuver (Urza's Saga)
Greg Staples

X target blocked creatures assign their combat damage this turn as though they weren't blocked.

"Push one goblin into sight, an' run a lot. That's tactics." —Jula, goblin raider

Leonin Relic-Warder (Commander 2017)
Greg Staples

When this creature enters, you may exile target artifact or enchantment. When this creature leaves the battlefield, return the exiled card to the battlefield under its owner's control.

Waylay (Urza's Saga)
Greg Staples

Create three 2/2 white Knight creature tokens. Exile them at the beginning of the next cleanup step.

"You reek of corruption," spat the knight. "Why are you even here?"

Nourishing Shoal (Betrayers of Kamigawa)
Greg Staples

You may exile a green card with mana value X from your hand rather than pay this spell's mana cost. You gain X life.

Mistmeadow Witch (Commander 2013)
Greg Staples

{2}{W}{U}: Exile target creature. Return that card to the battlefield under its owner's control at the beginning of the next end step.

Olka collected the evening mist for years, studying its secrets. Once she learned its essence, she could vanish with a thought.

Sen Triplets (Alara Reborn)
Greg Staples

At the beginning of your upkeep, choose target opponent. This turn, that player can't cast spells or activate abilities and plays with their hand revealed. You may play lands and cast spells from that player's hand this turn.

They are the masters of your mind.

Beastmaster Ascension (Secret Lair Drop)
Greg Staples

Whenever a creature you control attacks, you may put a quest counter on this enchantment. As long as this enchantment has seven or more quest counters on it, creatures you control get +5/+5.

"They made you soft. You'll make them pay."

Lord of Atlantis (Seventh Edition)
Greg Staples

Other Merfolk get +1/+1 and have islandwalk. (They can't be blocked as long as defending player controls an Island.)

A master of tactics, the Lord of Atlantis makes his people bold in battle merely by arriving to lead them.

Dimir Machinations (Ravnica: City of Guilds)
Greg Staples

Look at the top three cards of target player's library. Exile any number of those cards, then put the rest back in any order. Transmute {1}{B}{B} ({1}{B}{B}, Discard this card: Search your library for a card with the same mana value as this card, reveal it, put it into your hand, then shuffle. Transmute only as a sorcery.)

Gut Shot (Modern Masters 2015)
Greg Staples

({R/P} can be paid with either {R} or 2 life.) Gut Shot deals 1 damage to any target.

"Down here, we have a more pointed version of the scriptures." —Urabrask's enforcer

Oracle of Bones (Born of the Gods)
Greg Staples

Haste Tribute 2 (As this creature enters, an opponent of your choice may put two +1/+1 counters on it.) When this creature enters, if tribute wasn't paid, you may cast an instant or sorcery spell from your hand without paying its mana cost.

Outmaneuver (The List)
Greg Staples

X target blocked creatures assign their combat damage this turn as though they weren't blocked.

"Push one goblin into sight, an' run a lot. That's tactics." —Jula, goblin raider

Pentavus (Magic 2012)
Greg Staples

This creature enters with five +1/+1 counters on it. {1}, Remove a +1/+1 counter from this creature: Create a 1/1 colorless Pentavite artifact creature token with flying. {1}, Sacrifice a Pentavite: Put a +1/+1 counter on this creature.

Echoing Truth (Darksteel)
Greg Staples

Return target nonland permanent and all other permanents with the same name as that permanent to their owners' hands.

A single lie unleashes a tide of disbelief.

Oxidda Golem (Duel Decks Anthology: Jace vs. Chandra)
Greg Staples

Affinity for Mountains (This spell costs {1} less to cast for each Mountain you control.) Haste

The longer it patrols the smoldering crags of the Oxidda Chain, the more it adopts their fiery temper.

Electrickery (GRN Guild Kit)
Greg Staples

Electrickery deals 1 damage to target creature you don't control. Overload {1}{R} (You may cast this spell for its overload cost. If you do, change "target" in its text to "each.")

Myr Enforcer (Planechase)
Greg Staples

Affinity for artifacts (This spell costs {1} less to cast for each artifact you control.)

Most myr monitor other species. Some myr monitor other myr.

The Lord of Pain (Duskmourn: House of Horror Commander)
Greg Staples

Menace Your opponents can't gain life. Whenever a player casts their first spell each turn, choose another target player. The Lord of Pain deals damage equal to that spell's mana value to the chosen player.

Living End (Time Spiral)
Greg Staples

Suspend 3—{2}{B}{B} Each player exiles all creature cards from their graveyard, then sacrifices all creatures they control, then puts all cards they exiled this way onto the battlefield.

Bloodlord of Vaasgoth (Crimson Vow Commander)
Greg Staples

Bloodthirst 3 (If an opponent was dealt damage this turn, this creature enters with three +1/+1 counters on it.) Flying Whenever you cast a Vampire creature spell, it gains bloodthirst 3.

The Second Doctor (Doctor Who)
Greg Staples

Players have no maximum hand size. How Civil of You — At the beginning of your end step, each player may draw a card. Each opponent who does can't attack you or permanents you control during their next turn.

Baneslayer Angel (Core Set 2021)
Greg Staples

Flying, first strike, lifelink, protection from Demons and from Dragons

Some angels protect the meek and innocent. Others seek out and smite evil wherever it lurks.

Gaea's Anthem (Time Spiral Remastered)
Greg Staples

Creatures you control get +1/+1.

"To those who can hear it, Gaea's battle song brings power as swift as sunlight and as enduring as the deep roots of the forest." —Gamelen, Citanul elder

The Fugitive Doctor (Doctor Who)
Greg Staples

When The Fugitive Doctor enters, investigate. Whenever The Fugitive Doctor attacks, you may sacrifice a Clue. When you do, target instant or sorcery card in your graveyard gains flashback {2}{R}{G} until end of turn. (You may cast that card from your graveyard for its flashback cost. Then exile it.)

Search for Tomorrow (Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's Gate)
Greg Staples

Search your library for a basic land card, put it onto the battlefield, then shuffle. Suspend 2—{G} (Rather than cast this card from your hand, you may pay {G} and exile it with two time counters on it. At the beginning of your upkeep, remove a time counter. When the last is removed, you may cast it without paying its mana cost.)

Dragonlord Atarka (30th Anniversary Play Promos)
Greg Staples

Flying, trample When Dragonlord Atarka enters, it deals 5 damage divided as you choose among any number of target creatures and/or planeswalkers your opponents control.

When she's hungry, no one is safe.

Lord of Atlantis (World Championship Decks 2001)
Greg Staples

Other Merfolk get +1/+1 and have islandwalk. (They can't be blocked as long as defending player controls an Island.)

A master of tactics, the Lord of Atlantis makes his people bold in battle merely by arriving to lead them.

Parallax Wave (World Championship Decks 2000)
Greg Staples

Fading 5 (This enchantment enters with five fade counters on it. At the beginning of your upkeep, remove a fade counter from it. If you can't, sacrifice it.) Remove a fade counter from this enchantment: Exile target creature. When this enchantment leaves the battlefield, each player returns to the battlefield all cards they own exiled with it.

Mirrodin's Core (Darksteel)
Greg Staples

{T}: Add {C}. {T}: Put a charge counter on this land. {T}, Remove a charge counter from this land: Add one mana of any color.

Worldslayer (Mirrodin)
Greg Staples

Whenever equipped creature deals combat damage to a player, destroy all permanents other than this Equipment. Equip {5} ({5}: Attach to target creature you control. Equip only as a sorcery.)

Sulfuric Vortex (Conspiracy)
Greg Staples

At the beginning of each player's upkeep, this enchantment deals 2 damage to that player. If a player would gain life, that player gains no life instead.

Dismember (Secret Lair Drop)
Greg Staples

({B/P} can be paid with either {B} or 2 life.) Target creature gets -5/-5 until end of turn.

"A scratch? Your arm's off!"

Sunweb (Seventh Edition)
Greg Staples

Defender (This creature can't attack.) Flying This creature can't block creatures with power 2 or less.

Sometimes the wings of fallen dragons refuse to give up the sky.

Honor of the Pure (Magic 2011)
Greg Staples

White creatures you control get +1/+1.

Together the soldiers were like a golden blade, cutting down their enemies and scarring the darkness.

Sen Triplets (The List)
Greg Staples

At the beginning of your upkeep, choose target opponent. This turn, that player can't cast spells or activate abilities and plays with their hand revealed. You may play lands and cast spells from that player's hand this turn.

They are the masters of your mind.

Divinity of Pride (Eventide)
Greg Staples

Flying, lifelink This creature gets +4/+4 as long as you have 25 or more life.

"She spoke of mystery and portent, of such unfathomable things that my mind screamed for pity." —*The Seer's Parables*

Opal-Eye, Konda's Yojimbo (Betrayers of Kamigawa)
Greg Staples

Defender (This creature can't attack.) Bushido 1 (Whenever this creature blocks or becomes blocked, it gets +1/+1 until end of turn.) {T}: The next time a source of your choice would deal damage this turn, that damage is dealt to Opal-Eye instead. {1}{W}: Prevent the next 1 damage that would be dealt to Opal-Eye this turn.

Wall of One Thousand Cuts (The List)
Greg Staples

Defender, flying {W}: This creature can attack this turn as though it didn't have defender.

Families of the fallen donate the swords of their loved ones to bolster the city's defenses.

Empyrial Archangel (Double Masters 2022)
Greg Staples

Flying Shroud (This creature can't be the target of spells or abilities.) All damage that would be dealt to you is dealt to this creature instead.

Her wings are the prayers of the devoted; her sword, the despair of the vile.

Martial Coup (Bloomburrow Commander)
Greg Staples

Create X 1/1 white Soldier creature tokens. If X is 5 or more, destroy all other creatures.

Their war forgotten, the nations of Bant stood united in the face of a common threat.

Hunted Troll (Commander 2013)
Greg Staples

When this creature enters, target opponent creates four 1/1 blue Faerie creature tokens with flying. {G}: Regenerate this creature.

Ghor-Clan Savage (Guildpact)
Greg Staples

Bloodthirst 3 (If an opponent was dealt damage this turn, this creature enters with three +1/+1 counters on it.)

The snap of sinew. The crunch of bone. A cry for mercy. These are the music of the Gruul.

Amy Pond (Doctor Who)
Greg Staples

Partner with Rory Williams (When this creature enters, target player may put Rory into their hand from their library, then shuffle.) Whenever Amy Pond deals combat damage to a player, choose a suspended card you own and remove that many time counters from it. Doctor's companion (You can have two commanders if the other is the Doctor.)

Gnawing Zombie (Jumpstart 2022)
Greg Staples

{1}{B}, Sacrifice a creature: Target player loses 1 life and you gain 1 life.

On still nights you can hear its rotted teeth grinding tirelessly on scavenged bones.

Amy Pond (Doctor Who)
Greg Staples

Partner with Rory Williams (When this creature enters, target player may put Rory into their hand from their library, then shuffle.) Whenever Amy Pond deals combat damage to a player, choose a suspended card you own and remove that many time counters from it. Doctor's companion (You can have two commanders if the other is the Doctor.)

Saber Ants (Mercadian Masques)
Greg Staples

Whenever this creature is dealt damage, you may create that many 1/1 green Insect creature tokens.

They stay on the battlefield only long enough to consume the losers.

Kaho, Minamo Historian (Saviors of Kamigawa)
Greg Staples

When Kaho enters, search your library for up to three instant cards, exile them, then shuffle. {X}, {T}: You may cast a spell with mana value X from among cards exiled with Kaho without paying its mana cost.

Aven Brigadier (Onslaught)
Greg Staples

Flying Other Bird creatures get +1/+1. Other Soldier creatures get +1/+1.

He represents what little pride the Order has left.

Ogre Battledriver (Magic 2014)
Greg Staples

Whenever another creature you control enters, that creature gets +2/+0 and gains haste until end of turn. (It can attack and {T} this turn.)

Ogres are driven by passion, rage, and another ogre standing behind them with a whip.

Captain of the Watch (Game Night: Free-for-All)
Greg Staples

Vigilance (Attacking doesn't cause this creature to tap.) Other Soldier creatures you control get +1/+1 and have vigilance. When this creature enters, create three 1/1 white Soldier creature tokens.

Divine Reckoning (Commander 2019)
Greg Staples

Each player chooses a creature they control. Destroy the rest. Flashback {5}{W}{W} (You may cast this card from your graveyard for its flashback cost. Then exile it.)

Survival of the purest.

Gnarled Scarhide (Journey into Nyx)
Greg Staples

Bestow {3}{B} (If you cast this card for its bestow cost, it's an Aura spell with enchant creature. It becomes a creature again if it's not attached to a creature.) This creature can't block. Enchanted creature gets +2/+1 and can't block.

Proteus Machine (Scourge)
Greg Staples

Morph {0} (You may cast this card face down as a 2/2 creature for {3}. Turn it face up any time for its morph cost.) When this creature is turned face up, it becomes the creature type of your choice. (This effect lasts indefinitely.)

Dead Ringers (Apocalypse)
Greg Staples

Destroy two target nonblack creatures unless either one is a color the other isn't. They can't be regenerated.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" crowed Crovax. "They fought together. Now they will die together."

Urborg Syphon-Mage (Duel Decks Anthology: Garruk vs. Liliana)
Greg Staples

{2}{B}, {T}, Discard a card: Each other player loses 2 life. You gain life equal to the life lost this way.

"I have become a gourmet of sorts. Each soul has its own distinctive flavor. The art is in inviting the right company to the feast."

Cinder Pyromancer (Premium Deck Series: Fire and Lightning)
Greg Staples

{T}: This creature deals 1 damage to target player or planeswalker. Whenever you cast a red spell, you may untap this creature.

"If the whole world burns, I'll never grow cold."

Echoing Courage (Conspiracy)
Greg Staples

Target creature and all other creatures with the same name as that creature get +2/+2 until end of turn.

A single seed unleashes a flurry of growth.

Dalek Squadron (Doctor Who)
Greg Staples

Menace Myriad (Whenever this creature attacks, for each opponent other than defending player, you may create a token copy that's tapped and attacking that player or a planeswalker they control. Exile the tokens at end of combat.)

Stormchaser Chimera (Conspiracy: Take the Crown)
Greg Staples

Flying {2}{U}{R}: Scry 1, then reveal the top card of your library. This creature gets +X/+0 until end of turn, where X is that card's mana value. (To scry 1, look at the top card of your library, then you may put that card on the bottom.)

Merrow Reejerey (Duel Decks: Merfolk vs. Goblins)
Greg Staples

Other Merfolk creatures you control get +1/+1. Whenever you cast a Merfolk spell, you may tap or untap target permanent.

Steady and silent as the deep current, the reejerey guides the course of the school.

Portent of Betrayal (Theros Beyond Death)
Greg Staples

Gain control of target creature until end of turn. Untap that creature. It gains haste until end of turn. Scry 1. (Look at the top card of your library. You may put that card on the bottom.)

Mogis can fan a small flame of resentment into an inferno of madness.

Take Inventory (Eldritch Moon)
Greg Staples

Draw a card, then draw cards equal to the number of cards named Take Inventory in your graveyard.

A place for everything, and everything in its place.

Grounded (Avacyn Restored)
Greg Staples

Enchant creature Enchanted creature loses flying.

"We've tracked Ludevic's monster across four provinces. When it lands, make sure it stays put." —Alena, trapper of Kessig, to Halana of Ulvenwald

Rusting Golem (Nemesis)
Greg Staples

Fading 5 (This creature enters with five fade counters on it. At the beginning of your upkeep, remove a fade counter from it. If you can't, sacrifice it.) Rusting Golem's power and toughness are each equal to the number of fade counters on it.

Divine Reckoning (Commander 2017)
Greg Staples

Each player chooses a creature they control. Destroy the rest. Flashback {5}{W}{W} (You may cast this card from your graveyard for its flashback cost. Then exile it.)

Survival of the purest.

Leonin Relic-Warder (Mirrodin Besieged)
Greg Staples

When this creature enters, you may exile target artifact or enchantment. When this creature leaves the battlefield, return the exiled card to the battlefield under its owner's control.

Tourach, Dread Cantor (Modern Horizons 2)
Greg Staples

Kicker {B}{B} (You may pay an additional {B}{B} as you cast this spell.) Protection from white Whenever an opponent discards a card, put a +1/+1 counter on Tourach. When Tourach enters, if it was kicked, target opponent discards two cards at random.

Goblin Patrol (Urza's Saga)
Greg Staples

Echo {R} (At the beginning of your upkeep, if this came under your control since the beginning of your last upkeep, sacrifice it unless you pay its echo cost.)

"Take the sharp metal stick and make a lotta holes." —Jula, goblin raider

Serra Angel (Duel Decks Anthology: Divine vs. Demonic)
Greg Staples

Flying Vigilance (Attacking doesn't cause this creature to tap.)

Her sword sings more beautifully than any choir.

Festival of Embers (Bloomburrow Promos)
Greg Staples

During your turn, you may cast instant and sorcery spells from your graveyard by paying 1 life in addition to their other costs. If a card or token would be put into your graveyard from anywhere, exile it instead. {1}{R}: Sacrifice this enchantment.

Vulturous Zombie (Commander Anthology)
Greg Staples

Flying Whenever a card is put into an opponent's graveyard from anywhere, put a +1/+1 counter on this creature.

"When something dies, all things benefit. Well okay, just our things." —Ezoc, Golgari rot farmer

Scion of Draco (The List)
Greg Staples

Domain — This spell costs {2} less to cast for each basic land type among lands you control. Flying Each creature you control has vigilance if it's white, hexproof if it's blue, lifelink if it's black, first strike if it's red, and trample if it's green.

Electrickery (Return to Ravnica)
Greg Staples

Electrickery deals 1 damage to target creature you don't control. Overload {1}{R} (You may cast this spell for its overload cost. If you do, change "target" in its text to "each.")

Cinder Pyromancer (Eventide)
Greg Staples

{T}: This creature deals 1 damage to target player or planeswalker. Whenever you cast a red spell, you may untap this creature.

"If the whole world burns, I'll never grow cold."

Electrickery (The List)
Greg Staples

Electrickery deals 1 damage to target creature you don't control. Overload {1}{R} (You may cast this spell for its overload cost. If you do, change "target" in its text to "each.")

Scion of Draco (Modern Horizons 2 Promos)
Greg Staples

Domain — This spell costs {2} less to cast for each basic land type among lands you control. Flying Each creature you control has vigilance if it's white, hexproof if it's blue, lifelink if it's black, first strike if it's red, and trample if it's green.

Scion of Draco (Modern Horizons 2)
Greg Staples

Domain — This spell costs {2} less to cast for each basic land type among lands you control. Flying Each creature you control has vigilance if it's white, hexproof if it's blue, lifelink if it's black, first strike if it's red, and trample if it's green.

Vulturous Zombie (Ravnica: City of Guilds)
Greg Staples

Flying Whenever a card is put into an opponent's graveyard from anywhere, put a +1/+1 counter on this creature.

"When something dies, all things benefit. Well okay, just our things." —Ezoc, Golgari rot farmer

Vulturous Zombie (Commander 2011)
Greg Staples

Flying Whenever a card is put into an opponent's graveyard from anywhere, put a +1/+1 counter on this creature.

"When something dies, all things benefit. Well okay, just our things." —Ezoc, Golgari rot farmer

Vulturous Zombie (Commander 2015)
Greg Staples

Flying Whenever a card is put into an opponent's graveyard from anywhere, put a +1/+1 counter on this creature.

"When something dies, all things benefit. Well okay, just our things." —Ezoc, Golgari rot farmer

Attempted Murder (Unfinity)
Greg Staples

Choose target creature. Roll X six-sided dice. For each even result, put two -1/-1 counters on that creature. For each odd result, create a 1/2 blue Bird creature token with flying named Storm Crow.

Squawks was quick to establish the social pecking order.

Sulfuric Vortex (Duel Decks: Sorin vs. Tibalt)
Greg Staples

At the beginning of each player's upkeep, this enchantment deals 2 damage to that player. If a player would gain life, that player gains no life instead.

Sulfuric Vortex (Dominaria Remastered)
Greg Staples

At the beginning of each player's upkeep, this enchantment deals 2 damage to that player. If a player would gain life, that player gains no life instead.

Sulfuric Vortex (World Championship Decks 2003)
Greg Staples

At the beginning of each player's upkeep, this enchantment deals 2 damage to that player. If a player would gain life, that player gains no life instead.

Attempted Murder (Unfinity)
Greg Staples

Choose target creature. Roll X six-sided dice. For each even result, put two -1/-1 counters on that creature. For each odd result, create a 1/2 blue Bird creature token with flying named Storm Crow.

Squawks was quick to establish the social pecking order.

Cinder Pyromancer (Duels of the Planeswalkers)
Greg Staples

{T}: This creature deals 1 damage to target player or planeswalker. Whenever you cast a red spell, you may untap this creature.

"If the whole world burns, I'll never grow cold."

Hell's Caretaker (Ninth Edition)
Greg Staples

{T}, Sacrifice a creature: Return target creature card from your graveyard to the battlefield. Activate only during your upkeep.

Hell's Caretaker (Masters 25)
Greg Staples

{T}, Sacrifice a creature: Return target creature card from your graveyard to the battlefield. Activate only during your upkeep.

"The rules are clear. If you want to leave, you need only convince another to take your place."

Hell's Caretaker (The List)
Greg Staples

{T}, Sacrifice a creature: Return target creature card from your graveyard to the battlefield. Activate only during your upkeep.

"The rules are clear. If you want to leave, you need only convince another to take your place."

Shifty Doppelganger (Odyssey)
Greg Staples

{3}{U}, Exile this creature: You may put a creature card from your hand onto the battlefield. If you do, that creature gains haste until end of turn. At the beginning of the next end step, sacrifice that creature. If you do, return this card to the battlefield.

Gaea's Anthem (Planar Chaos)
Greg Staples

Creatures you control get +1/+1.

"To those who can hear it, Gaea's battle song brings power as swift as sunlight and as enduring as the deep roots of the forest." —Gamelen, Citanul elder

Urza, Lord High Artificer (Dominaria Remastered)
Greg Staples

When Urza enters, create a 0/0 colorless Construct artifact creature token with "This token gets +1/+1 for each artifact you control." Tap an untapped artifact you control: Add {U}. {5}: Shuffle your library, then exile the top card. Until end of turn, you may play that card without paying its mana cost.

Gaddock Teeg (Ultimate Box Topper)
Greg Staples

Noncreature spells with mana value 4 or greater can't be cast. Noncreature spells with {X} in their mana costs can't be cast.

Sunken Hope (Planeshift)
Greg Staples

At the beginning of each player's upkeep, that player returns a creature they control to its owner's hand.

While Dominarians fought for their world, Rath stole it from under their feet.

Serra Angel (Ninth Edition)
Greg Staples

Flying Vigilance (Attacking doesn't cause this creature to tap.)

When she flies above the good, they consider themselves blessed. When she flies above the wicked, they consider themselves dead.

Punishing Fire (The List)
Greg Staples

Punishing Fire deals 2 damage to any target. Whenever an opponent gains life, you may pay {R}. If you do, return this card from your graveyard to your hand.

Buried Alive (Commander 2011)
Greg Staples

Search your library for up to three creature cards, put them into your graveyard, then shuffle.

The scrape of shovels and the tumble of cold dirt soon muffled their pleas.

Aggravated Assault (Onslaught)
Greg Staples

{3}{R}{R}: Untap all creatures you control. After this main phase, there is an additional combat phase followed by an additional main phase. Activate only as a sorcery.

Diabolic Tutor (Wizards Play Network 2024)
Greg Staples

Search your library for a card, put that card into your hand, then shuffle.

The wise always keep an ear open to the whispers of power.

Goblin Sharpshooter (World Championship Decks 2003)
Greg Staples

This creature doesn't untap during your untap step. Whenever a creature dies, untap this creature. {T}: This creature deals 1 damage to any target.

Thundercloud Shaman (Lorwyn)
Greg Staples

When this creature enters, it deals damage equal to the number of Giants you control to each non-Giant creature.

He cares not for the disasters his storm brings as long as his path ahead is clear.

_____ Bird Gets the Worm (Unfinity)
Greg Staples

Flying When this creature enters, you may put a name sticker on it. You gain X life, where X is the number of unique vowels on that sticker. (The vowels are A, E, I, O, U, and Y.)

It's not like anyone else really wanted it.

The Second Doctor (Doctor Who)
Greg Staples

Players have no maximum hand size. How Civil of You — At the beginning of your end step, each player may draw a card. Each opponent who does can't attack you or permanents you control during their next turn.

Sustainer of the Realm (Urza's Legacy)
Greg Staples

Flying Whenever this creature blocks, it gets +0/+2 until end of turn.

"The harder you push, the stronger we become." —Radiant, to Urza

Honor of the Pure (Magic 2010)
Greg Staples

White creatures you control get +1/+1.

Together the soldiers were like a golden blade, cutting down their enemies and scarring the darkness.

Goliath Sphinx (Worldwake)
Greg Staples

Flying

He makes his home on the tallest mountain in Sejiri, where the vista is as endless as his patience.

Serra Angel (Iconic Masters)
Greg Staples

Flying Vigilance (Attacking doesn't cause this creature to tap.)

Follow the light. In its absence, follow her.

Erhnam Djinn (Judgment)
Greg Staples

At the beginning of your upkeep, target non-Wall creature an opponent controls gains forestwalk until your next upkeep. (It can't be blocked as long as defending player controls a Forest.)

He provides a safe path to nowhere.

Corpse Explosion (Streets of New Capenna)
Greg Staples

As an additional cost to cast this spell, exile a creature card from your graveyard. Corpse Explosion deals damage equal to the exiled card's power to each creature and each planeswalker.

Sulfuric Vortex (Dominaria Remastered)
Greg Staples

At the beginning of each player's upkeep, this enchantment deals 2 damage to that player. If a player would gain life, that player gains no life instead.

Noble Hierarch (Double Masters)
Greg Staples

Exalted (Whenever a creature you control attacks alone, that creature gets +1/+1 until end of turn.) {T}: Add {G}, {W}, or {U}.

In all her years of vigil, her resolve has never faltered.

Thundercloud Shaman (Modern Masters)
Greg Staples

When this creature enters, it deals damage equal to the number of Giants you control to each non-Giant creature.

He cares not for the disasters his storm brings as long as his path ahead is clear.

Traumatize (Tenth Edition)
Greg Staples

Target player mills half their library, rounded down.

"The educated mind is heavy with lore and knowledge. It's also the most likely to collapse under its own weight." —Ambassador Laquatus

Stormcloud Djinn (Time Spiral Remastered)
Greg Staples

Flying This creature can block only creatures with flying. {R}{R}: This creature gets +2/+0 until end of turn and deals 1 damage to you.

As fickle as lightning, as slippery as an eel.

Evil Twin (Innistrad)
Greg Staples

You may have this creature enter as a copy of any creature on the battlefield, except it has "{U}{B}, {T}: Destroy target creature with the same name as this creature."

You can always tell the evil one by the dagger he's sticking in you.

Shepherd of Rot (The List)
Greg Staples

{T}: Each player loses 1 life for each Zombie on the battlefield.

"My priests swore loyalty to the Cabal not until death, but beyond it." —Cabal Patriarch

Witch-Maw Nephilim (Guildpact)
Greg Staples

Whenever you cast a spell, you may put two +1/+1 counters on this creature. Whenever this creature attacks, it gains trample until end of turn if its power is 10 or greater.

When it awoke, it shattered the hillsides to make way for its passage.

Squee, Goblin Nabob (Commander 2019)
Greg Staples

At the beginning of your upkeep, you may return this card from your graveyard to your hand.

"Some goblins are expendable. Some are impossible to get rid of. But he's both—at the same time!" —Starke

Gaddock Teeg (Ultimate Masters)
Greg Staples

Noncreature spells with mana value 4 or greater can't be cast. Noncreature spells with {X} in their mana costs can't be cast.

So great are his wisdom and spirit that many who have met him say that they stood before a giant of a man and talked to the wisest of the four winds.

Hymn to Tourach (From the Vault: Twenty)
Greg Staples

Target player discards two cards at random.

The priests plead for your anguish and pray for your despair.

Aphetto Grifter (Onslaught)
Greg Staples

Tap two untapped Wizards you control: Tap target permanent.

Aphetto con artists started working in pairs to make it less likely they'd be the victims of con artists.

Scion of Draco (Modern Horizons 2)
Greg Staples

Domain — This spell costs {2} less to cast for each basic land type among lands you control. Flying Each creature you control has vigilance if it's white, hexproof if it's blue, lifelink if it's black, first strike if it's red, and trample if it's green.

Fractured Loyalty (Mirrodin)
Greg Staples

Enchant creature Whenever enchanted creature becomes the target of a spell or ability, that spell or ability's controller gains control of that creature. (This effect lasts indefinitely.)

Hymn to Tourach (Eternal Masters)
Greg Staples

Target player discards two cards at random.

The priests plead for your anguish and pray for your despair.

Wee Dragonauts (Guildpact)
Greg Staples

Flying Whenever you cast an instant or sorcery spell, this creature gets +2/+0 until end of turn.

"The blazekite is a simple concept, really—just a vehicular application of dragscoop ionics and electropropulsion magnetronics." —Juzba, Izzet tinker

Lara Croft, Tomb Raider (Secret Lair Drop)
Greg Staples

First strike, reach Whenever Lara Croft attacks, exile up to one target legendary artifact card or legendary land card from a graveyard and put a discovery counter on it. You may play a card from exile with a discovery counter on it this turn. Raid — At end of combat on your turn, if you attacked this turn, create a Treasure token.

Martial Coup (Conflux)
Greg Staples

Create X 1/1 white Soldier creature tokens. If X is 5 or more, destroy all other creatures.

Their war forgotten, the nations of Bant stood united in the face of a common threat.

Spelltithe Enforcer (Guildpact)
Greg Staples

Whenever an opponent casts a spell, that player sacrifices a permanent of their choice unless they pay {1}.

His assistants calculate the amount of the tribute. He measures out the punishment for delinquency.

Battering Sliver (Planar Chaos)
Greg Staples

All Sliver creatures have trample.

Covered with hard shell-like plates, these slivers burrow through solid rock to carve out new nests for their hives.

Mahamoti Djinn (Iconic Masters)
Greg Staples

Flying (This creature can't be blocked except by creatures with flying or reach.)

Of royal blood among the spirits of the air, the Mahamoti djinn rides on the wings of the winds. As dangerous in the gambling hall as he is in battle, he is a master of trickery and misdirection.

Baneslayer Angel (Core Set 2021 Promos)
Greg Staples

Flying, first strike, lifelink, protection from Demons and from Dragons

Some angels protect the meek and innocent. Others seek out and smite evil wherever it lurks.

Diabolic Tutor (Magic 2014)
Greg Staples

Search your library for a card, put that card into your hand, then shuffle.

The wise always keep an ear open to the whispers of power.

Devastate (Prophecy)
Greg Staples

Destroy target land. Devastate deals 1 damage to each creature and each player.

"You're willing to die for your homeland. I'm willing to kill for it." —Latulla, Keldon overseer

Abundant Maw (Innistrad Remastered)
Greg Staples

Emerge {6}{B} (You may cast this spell by sacrificing a creature and paying the emerge cost reduced by that creature's mana value.) When you cast this spell, target opponent loses 3 life and you gain 3 life.

Lodestone Myr (Mirrodin)
Greg Staples

Trample Tap an untapped artifact you control: This creature gets +1/+1 until end of turn.

When necessary, myr can override and control any artificial object, as can their creator.

Artifact Mutation (Commander 2016)
Greg Staples

Destroy target artifact. It can't be regenerated. Create X 1/1 green Saproling creature tokens, where X is that artifact's mana value.

"From shards and splinters I call forth my living horde." —Molimo, maro-sorcerer

Buried Alive (Odyssey)
Greg Staples

Search your library for up to three creature cards, put them into your graveyard, then shuffle.

The scrape of shovels and the tumble of cold dirt soon muffled their pleas.

Seize the Day (Odyssey)
Greg Staples

Untap target creature. After this main phase, there is an additional combat phase followed by an additional main phase. Flashback {2}{R} (You may cast this card from your graveyard for its flashback cost. Then exile it.)

Amy Pond (Doctor Who)
Greg Staples

Partner with Rory Williams (When this creature enters, target player may put Rory into their hand from their library, then shuffle.) Whenever Amy Pond deals combat damage to a player, choose a suspended card you own and remove that many time counters from it. Doctor's companion (You can have two commanders if the other is the Doctor.)

Sulfuric Vortex (Scourge)
Greg Staples

At the beginning of each player's upkeep, this enchantment deals 2 damage to that player. If a player would gain life, that player gains no life instead.

Squall (Seventh Edition)
Greg Staples

Squall deals 2 damage to each creature with flying.

"May the winds blow till they have wakened death. . . ." —William Shakespeare, *Othello*

Orcish Spy (Eighth Edition)
Greg Staples

{T}: Look at the top three cards of target player's library.

"You idiot! Never let the spies mingle with the orcish regulars after completing a mission. Now we'll never get them to fight!" —General Khurzog

Zombie Boa (Apocalypse)
Greg Staples

{1}{B}: Choose a color. Whenever this creature becomes blocked by a creature of that color this turn, destroy that creature. Activate only as a sorcery.

It doesn't need to feed, but still it hungers.

Diabolic Tutor (Conspiracy: Take the Crown)
Greg Staples

Search your library for a card, put that card into your hand, then shuffle.

The wise always keep an ear open to the whispers of power.

Hypnotic Specter (The List)
Greg Staples

Flying Whenever this creature deals damage to an opponent, that player discards a card at random.

Its victims are known by their eyes: shattered vessels leaking broken dreams.

Needle Drop (The List)
Greg Staples

Needle Drop deals 1 damage to any target that was dealt damage this turn. Draw a card.

"First it was plovers and mulldrifters. Now it's knitting needles the size of javelins." —Calydd, kithkin farmer

Voice of Many (Commander 2019)
Greg Staples

When this creature enters, draw a card for each opponent who controls fewer creatures than you.

His words echo every roar, screech, and howl of the wilds.

Hypnox (Torment)
Greg Staples

Flying When this creature enters, if you cast it from your hand, exile all cards from target opponent's hand. When this creature leaves the battlefield, return the exiled cards to their owner's hand.

Ashnod's Altar (The Brothers' War Retro Artifacts)
Greg Staples

Sacrifice a creature: Add {C}{C}.

"If you work at sawing up carcasses, you notice how the joints fit, how the nerves are arrayed, and how the skin peels back." —Ashnod, to Tawnos

Living End (Time Spiral Remastered)
Greg Staples

Suspend 3—{2}{B}{B} Each player exiles all creature cards from their graveyard, then sacrifices all creatures they control, then puts all cards they exiled this way onto the battlefield.

Memory Lapse (Eternal Masters)
Greg Staples

Counter target spell. If that spell is countered this way, put it on top of its owner's library instead of into that player's graveyard.

What a lonely agony, the memory of memories lost.

Seize the Day (Ultimate Masters)
Greg Staples

Untap target creature. After this main phase, there is an additional combat phase followed by an additional main phase. Flashback {2}{R} (You may cast this card from your graveyard for its flashback cost. Then exile it.)

The Fugitive Doctor (Doctor Who)
Greg Staples

When The Fugitive Doctor enters, investigate. Whenever The Fugitive Doctor attacks, you may sacrifice a Clue. When you do, target instant or sorcery card in your graveyard gains flashback {2}{R}{G} until end of turn. (You may cast that card from your graveyard for its flashback cost. Then exile it.)

Angel's Herald (Shards of Alara)
Greg Staples

{2}{W}, {T}, Sacrifice a green creature, a white creature, and a blue creature: Search your library for a card named Empyrial Archangel, put it onto the battlefield, then shuffle.

Rigorous faith and belief are rewarded on occasion, and richly so.

Parallel Lives (Judge Gift Cards 2022)
Greg Staples

If an effect would create one or more tokens under your control, it creates twice that many of those tokens instead.

Neither Urza nor Mishra would admit it, but it was their similarities, rather than their differences, that drove their obsessive rivalry.

Blade Splicer (New Phyrexia)
Greg Staples

When this creature enters, create a 3/3 colorless Phyrexian Golem artifact creature token. Golems you control have first strike.

Hymn to Tourach (The List)
Greg Staples

Target player discards two cards at random.

The priests plead for your anguish and pray for your despair.

Kithkin Greatheart (Lorwyn)
Greg Staples

As long as you control a Giant, this creature gets +1/+1 and has first strike.

Sometimes a curious giant singles out a "little one" to follow for a few days, never realizing the effect it will have on the little one's life.

Plains (Champions of Kamigawa)
Greg Staples

({T}: Add {W}.)

The Face of Boe (Doctor Who)
Greg Staples

{T}: You may cast a spell with suspend from your hand. If you do, pay its suspend cost rather than its mana cost. Activate only as a sorcery.

"You are not alone."

Buried Alive (Commander Anthology Volume II)
Greg Staples

Search your library for up to three creature cards, put them into your graveyard, then shuffle.

The scrape of shovels and the tumble of cold dirt soon muffled their pleas.

The Fugitive Doctor (Doctor Who)
Greg Staples

When The Fugitive Doctor enters, investigate. Whenever The Fugitive Doctor attacks, you may sacrifice a Clue. When you do, target instant or sorcery card in your graveyard gains flashback {2}{R}{G} until end of turn. (You may cast that card from your graveyard for its flashback cost. Then exile it.)

Lorescale Coatl (Masters 25)
Greg Staples

Whenever you draw a card, put a +1/+1 counter on this creature.

"The enlightenment I never found in etherium I have found traced in the coatl's scales." —Ranalus, vedalken heretic

Phantom Warrior (Seventh Edition)
Greg Staples

This creature can't be blocked.

It can pass through solid matter—but that doesn't mean it's harmless.

Gaddock Teeg (Lorwyn)
Greg Staples

Noncreature spells with mana value 4 or greater can't be cast. Noncreature spells with {X} in their mana costs can't be cast.

So great is his wisdom and spirit that many who have met him say that they stood before a giant of a man and talked to the wisest of the four winds.

Squee, Goblin Nabob (Ultimate Masters)
Greg Staples

At the beginning of your upkeep, you may return this card from your graveyard to your hand.

"If Yawgmoth meant Squee's immortality as a curse, no one ever told Squee." —Karn

Archangel of Strife (Commander Anthology)
Greg Staples

Flying As this creature enters, each player chooses war or peace. Creatures controlled by players who chose war get +3/+0. Creatures controlled by players who chose peace get +0/+3.

Rescue (Urza's Destiny)
Greg Staples

Return target permanent you control to its owner's hand.

"Urza, I've discovered more promising students than you and my husband have, combined. And I haven't lost a single one." —Rayne, Academy Chancellor

Bloodlord of Vaasgoth (Magic 2012)
Greg Staples

Bloodthirst 3 (If an opponent was dealt damage this turn, this creature enters with three +1/+1 counters on it.) Flying Whenever you cast a Vampire creature spell, it gains bloodthirst 3.

Sensei's Divining Top (Double Masters 2022)
Greg Staples

{1}: Look at the top three cards of your library, then put them back in any order. {T}: Draw a card, then put this artifact on top of its owner's library.

Swift Silence (Dissension)
Greg Staples

Counter all other spells. Draw a card for each spell countered this way.

"This world may not know peace, but in my presence you *will* know quiet." —Augustin IV

Blade Splicer (Bloomburrow Commander)
Greg Staples

When this creature enters, create a 3/3 colorless Phyrexian Golem artifact creature token. Golems you control have first strike.

"Flesh is a betrayal of the self."

Merrow Reejerey (The Lost Caverns of Ixalan Commander)
Greg Staples

Other Merfolk creatures you control get +1/+1. Whenever you cast a Merfolk spell, you may tap or untap target permanent.

Steady and silent as the deep current, the reejerey guides the course of the school.

Smite the Monstrous (Khans of Tarkir)
Greg Staples

Destroy target creature with power 4 or greater.

"The dragons thought they were too strong to be tamed, too large to fall. And where are they now?" —Khibat the Revered

Seismic Assault (Tenth Edition)
Greg Staples

Discard a land card: This enchantment deals 2 damage to any target.

Earth arms itself with fire.

Spincrusher (Darksteel)
Greg Staples

Whenever this creature blocks, put a +1/+1 counter on it. Remove a +1/+1 counter from this creature: This creature can't be blocked this turn.

It rolls with the punches.

Vigilant Drake (Urza's Legacy)
Greg Staples

Flying {2}{U}: Untap this creature.

Awake and awing in the blink of an eye.

Laquatus's Champion (Torment)
Greg Staples

When this creature enters, target player loses 6 life. When this creature leaves the battlefield, that player gains 6 life. {B}: Regenerate this creature.

Chainer's dark gift to a darker soul.

Solemn Simulacrum (Commander Anthology Volume II)
Greg Staples

When this creature enters, you may search your library for a basic land card, put that card onto the battlefield tapped, then shuffle. When this creature dies, you may draw a card.

Lorescale Coatl (Modern Masters 2015)
Greg Staples

Whenever you draw a card, put a +1/+1 counter on this creature.

"The enlightenment I never found in etherium I have found traced in the coatl's scales." —Ranalus, vedalken heretic

Battering Sliver (Time Spiral Remastered)
Greg Staples

All Sliver creatures have trample.

Covered with hard shell-like plates, these slivers burrow through solid rock to carve out new nests for their hives.

Firefright Mage (Planar Chaos)
Greg Staples

{1}{R}, {T}, Discard a card: Target creature can't be blocked this turn except by artifact creatures and/or red creatures.

After millennia of advancement in goblin military theory, Toggo VI realized that almost everyone is afraid of fire.

Shepherd of Rot (Onslaught)
Greg Staples

{T}: Each player loses 1 life for each Zombie on the battlefield.

"My priests swore loyalty to the Cabal not until death, but beyond it." —Cabal Patriarch

Deflecting Swat (Commander Masters)
Greg Staples

If you control a commander, you may cast this spell without paying its mana cost. You may choose new targets for target spell or ability.

"Come to slay the dragon for the good of the kingdom? How terribly predictable."

Seton, Krosan Protector (Odyssey)
Greg Staples

Tap an untapped Druid you control: Add {G}.

"Survival of the fittest is not only the law of the pits, it is the law of nature. That is why I fight."

Divinity of Pride (Commander 2013)
Greg Staples

Flying, lifelink This creature gets +4/+4 as long as you have 25 or more life.

"She spoke of mystery and portent, of such unfathomable things that my mind screamed for pity." —*The Seer's Parables*

Elite Archers (Urza's Saga)
Greg Staples

{T}: This creature deals 3 damage to target attacking or blocking creature.

Arrows fletched with the feathers of angels seldom miss their mark.

Pemmin's Aura (The List)
Greg Staples

Enchant creature {U}: Untap enchanted creature. {U}: Enchanted creature gains flying until end of turn. {U}: Enchanted creature gains shroud until end of turn. (It can't be the target of spells or abilities.) {1}: Enchanted creature gets +1/-1 or -1/+1 until end of turn.

Gut Shot (New Phyrexia)
Greg Staples

({R/P} can be paid with either {R} or 2 life.) Gut Shot deals 1 damage to any target.

"Down here, we have a more pointed version of the scriptures." —Urabrask's enforcer

Tormod's Cryptkeeper (Modern Horizons 2)
Greg Staples

Vigilance {T}, Sacrifice this creature: Exile target player's graveyard.

It guards not a body, but a secret.

Metathran Aerostat (Invasion)
Greg Staples

Flying {X}{U}: You may put a creature card with mana value X from your hand onto the battlefield. If you do, return this creature to its owner's hand.

Animate Object (Unfinity)
Greg Staples

You get seven {TK}. Choose an inanimate object you own from outside the game. Put a power and toughness sticker on it. You may also put a name sticker, an art sticker, and/or an ability sticker on it. Put it onto the battlefield as a creature token.

Tap beverages with extreme caution.

Woodwraith Corrupter (Ravnica: City of Guilds)
Greg Staples

{1}{B}{G}, {T}: Target Forest becomes a 4/4 black and green Elemental Horror creature. It's still a land.

"Its darkened sap penetrates natural fibers and spreads its own genes. Emulation experiments are underway." —Simic research notes

Martial Coup (Commander Legends)
Greg Staples

Create X 1/1 white Soldier creature tokens. If X is 5 or more, destroy all other creatures.

Their war forgotten, the nations of Bant stood united in the face of a common threat.

Captain of the Watch (Duel Decks: Elspeth vs. Kiora)
Greg Staples

Vigilance (Attacking doesn't cause this creature to tap.) Other Soldier creatures you control get +1/+1 and have vigilance. When this creature enters, create three 1/1 white Soldier creature tokens.

Phantom Warrior (Eighth Edition)
Greg Staples

This creature can't be blocked.

It can pass through solid matter—but that doesn't mean it's harmless.

Avacynian Priest (Innistrad Remastered)
Greg Staples

{1}, {T}: Tap target non-Human creature.

Moorlanders speak in awe of the priests' talent for arriving just in time to drive off the wicked things that prowl the ravished parish.

Evil Twin (Battlebond)
Greg Staples

You may have this creature enter as a copy of any creature on the battlefield, except it has "{U}{B}, {T}: Destroy target creature with the same name as this creature."

You can always tell the evil one by the dagger he's sticking in you.

Myr Superion (DCI Promos)
Greg Staples

Spend only mana produced by creatures to cast this spell.

Ghor-Clan Savage (Duel Decks: Heroes vs. Monsters)
Greg Staples

Bloodthirst 3 (If an opponent was dealt damage this turn, this creature enters with three +1/+1 counters on it.)

The snap of sinew. The crunch of bone. A cry for mercy. These are the music of the Gruul.

Gnawing Zombie (Magic 2014)
Greg Staples

{1}{B}, Sacrifice a creature: Target player loses 1 life and you gain 1 life.

On still nights you can hear its rotted teeth grinding tirelessly on scavenged bones.

Hunter's Prowess (Born of the Gods)
Greg Staples

Until end of turn, target creature gets +3/+3 and gains trample and "Whenever this creature deals combat damage to a player, draw that many cards."

To be counted among the warriors of Setessa's Leina Tower, you must not fear death, only failure.

Goblin Raider (Eighth Edition)
Greg Staples

This creature can't block.

He's smart for a goblin. He can do *two* things: hit *and* run.

Sulfuric Vortex (Eternal Masters)
Greg Staples

At the beginning of each player's upkeep, this enchantment deals 2 damage to that player. If a player would gain life, that player gains no life instead.

Solemn Simulacrum (Commander 2011)
Greg Staples

When this creature enters, you may search your library for a basic land card, put that card onto the battlefield tapped, then shuffle. When this creature dies, you may draw a card.

Myr Galvanizer (Scars of Mirrodin)
Greg Staples

Other Myr creatures you control get +1/+1. {1}, {T}: Untap each other Myr you control.

"We can't quite determine what they're doing, but they seem to be doing it quite well." —Vedalken research notes

Falkenrath Forebear (Innistrad: Crimson Vow)
Greg Staples

Flying This creature can't block. Whenever this creature deals combat damage to a player, create a Blood token. {B}, Sacrifice two Blood tokens: Return this card from your graveyard to the battlefield.

Serra Angel (Tenth Edition)
Greg Staples

Flying Vigilance (Attacking doesn't cause this creature to tap.)

Her sword sings more beautifully than any choir.

Anaba Bodyguard (Tenth Edition)
Greg Staples

First strike (This creature deals combat damage before creatures without first strike.)

"They who challenge a minotaur enjoy the taste of their own blood." —Mirri of the *Weatherlight*

Martial Coup (New Capenna Commander)
Greg Staples

Create X 1/1 white Soldier creature tokens. If X is 5 or more, destroy all other creatures.

Their war forgotten, the nations of Bant stood united in the face of a common threat.

Steward of Valeron (URL/Convention Promos)
Greg Staples

Vigilance {T}: Add {G}.

www.MagicTheGathering.com

Plaxcaster Frogling (The List)
Greg Staples

Graft 3 (This creature enters with three +1/+1 counters on it. Whenever another creature enters, you may move a +1/+1 counter from this creature onto it.) {2}: Target creature with a +1/+1 counter on it gains shroud until end of turn. (It can't be the target of spells or abilities.)

Diabolic Tutor (Magic 2010)
Greg Staples

Search your library for a card, put that card into your hand, then shuffle.

The wise always keep an ear open to the whispers of power.

Stalking Bloodsucker (Odyssey)
Greg Staples

Flying {1}{B}, Discard a card: This creature gets +2/+2 until end of turn.

The pits feed both its thirst for combat and its thirst for blood.

Plaxcaster Frogling (Commander 2021)
Greg Staples

Graft 3 (This creature enters with three +1/+1 counters on it. Whenever another creature enters, you may move a +1/+1 counter from this creature onto it.) {2}: Target creature with a +1/+1 counter on it gains shroud until end of turn. (It can't be the target of spells or abilities.)

Mountain (Duel Decks Anthology: Jace vs. Chandra)
Greg Staples

({T}: Add {R}.)

Artifact Mutation (Commander 2020)
Greg Staples

Destroy target artifact. It can't be regenerated. Create X 1/1 green Saproling creature tokens, where X is that artifact's mana value.

"From shards and splinters I call forth my living horde." —Molimo, maro-sorcerer

Spirit Away (Avacyn Restored)
Greg Staples

Enchant creature You control enchanted creature. Enchanted creature gets +2/+2 and has flying.

The fear of slipping from the geist's tenuous grip overwhelmed Tolo's joy at his first flight.

Martial Coup (Commander 2014)
Greg Staples

Create X 1/1 white Soldier creature tokens. If X is 5 or more, destroy all other creatures.

Their war forgotten, the nations of Bant stood united in the face of a common threat.

Plaxcaster Frogling (Dissension)
Greg Staples

Graft 3 (This creature enters with three +1/+1 counters on it. Whenever another creature enters, you may move a +1/+1 counter from this creature onto it.) {2}: Target creature with a +1/+1 counter on it gains shroud until end of turn. (It can't be the target of spells or abilities.)

Fledgling Dragon (Modern Horizons 3)
Greg Staples

Flying Threshold — As long as seven or more cards are in your graveyard, this creature gets +3/+3 and has "{R}: This creature gets +1/+0 until end of turn."

Woodlot Crawler (Dragon's Maze)
Greg Staples

Forestwalk (This creature can't be blocked as long as defending player controls a Forest.) Protection from green

"We learned something from the Simic. Unfortunately for them." —Nefara, Dimir agent

Ashnod's Altar (Eternal Masters)
Greg Staples

Sacrifice a creature: Add {C}{C}.

"If you work at sawing up carcasses, you notice how the joints fit, how the nerves are arrayed, and how the skin peels back." —Ashnod, to Tawnos

Dragon Breath (Scourge)
Greg Staples

Enchant creature Enchanted creature has haste. {R}: Enchanted creature gets +1/+0 until end of turn. When a creature with mana value 6 or greater enters, you may return this card from your graveyard to the battlefield attached to that creature.

Centrifuge (Unfinity)
Greg Staples

Visit — Each player draws a card from the library of the player to their right. You create three Treasure tokens.

The back of each ticket features a map to the lost and found.

Witch-Maw Nephilim (The List)
Greg Staples

Whenever you cast a spell, you may put two +1/+1 counters on this creature. Whenever this creature attacks, it gains trample until end of turn if its power is 10 or greater.

When it awoke, it shattered the hillsides to make way for its passage.

Might of Oaks (Seventh Edition)
Greg Staples

Target creature gets +7/+7 until end of turn.

"Guess where I'm gonna plant this!"

Bloodfire Colossus (Ninth Edition)
Greg Staples

{R}, Sacrifice this creature: It deals 6 damage to each creature and each player.

It took all its strength to contain the fire within.

Wall of One Thousand Cuts (Modern Horizons)
Greg Staples

Defender, flying {W}: This creature can attack this turn as though it didn't have defender.

Families of the fallen donate the swords of their loved ones to bolster the city's defenses.

Mahamoti Djinn (The List)
Greg Staples

Flying (This creature can't be blocked except by creatures with flying or reach.)

Of royal blood among the spirits of the air, the Mahamoti djinn rides on the wings of the winds. As dangerous in the gambling hall as he is in battle, he is a master of trickery and misdirection.

The Face of Boe (Doctor Who)
Greg Staples

{T}: You may cast a spell with suspend from your hand. If you do, pay its suspend cost rather than its mana cost. Activate only as a sorcery.

"You are not alone."

Wee Dragonauts (Eternal Masters)
Greg Staples

Flying Whenever you cast an instant or sorcery spell, this creature gets +2/+0 until end of turn.

"The blazekite is a simple concept, really—just a vehicular application of dragscoop ionics and electropropulsion magnetronics." —Juzba, Izzet tinker

Malevolent Whispers (Commander 2019)
Greg Staples

Gain control of target creature until end of turn. Untap that creature. It gets +2/+0 and gains haste until end of turn. Madness {3}{R} (If you discard this card, discard it into exile. When you do, cast it for its madness cost or put it into your graveyard.)

Vedalken Anatomist (Mirrodin Besieged)
Greg Staples

{2}{U}, {T}: Put a -1/-1 counter on target creature. You may tap or untap that creature.

"Specimen 211 examination report. Observation: graft sublimation incomplete. Result: death. Prepare specimen 212."

Echoing Truth (Dominaria United Commander)
Greg Staples

Return target nonland permanent and all other permanents with the same name as that permanent to their owners' hands.

A single lie unleashes a tide of disbelief.

Wizened Snitches (Ravnica: City of Guilds)
Greg Staples

Flying Players play with the top card of their libraries revealed.

"Be careful what information you ask them to find, for it will likely be the subject of tale time at the alehouse." —Sirislav, Dimir spy

Ancient Spider (The List)
Greg Staples

First strike; reach (This creature can block creatures with flying.)

It outlived both king and castle.

Mountain (Time Spiral)
Greg Staples

({T}: Add {R}.)

Reckless Wurm (Planar Chaos)
Greg Staples

Trample Madness {2}{R} (If you discard this card, discard it into exile. When you do, cast it for its madness cost or put it into your graveyard.)

Bred for battle in the Grand Coliseum, these wurms annihilated whole ecosystems when released into the wild.

Solemn Simulacrum (Mirrodin)
Greg Staples

When this creature enters, you may search your library for a basic land card, put that card onto the battlefield tapped, then shuffle. When this creature dies, you may draw a card.

Goliath Sphinx (Commander Masters)
Greg Staples

Flying

He makes his home on the tallest mountain in Sejiri, where the vista is as endless as his patience.

Mana Short (Mystery Booster 2)
Greg Staples

Tap all lands target player controls and that player loses all unspent mana.

"Remove their power, and their will to fight will follow." —Tolarian wizard

Preeminent Captain (Magic 2015)
Greg Staples

First strike (This creature deals combat damage before creatures without first strike.) Whenever this creature attacks, you may put a Soldier creature card from your hand onto the battlefield tapped and attacking.

Pygmy Kavu (Planeshift)
Greg Staples

When this creature enters, draw a card for each black creature your opponents control.

"We could learn a lot by watching the little ones," said Agnate. "Define 'little,'" replied Grizzlegom.

Echoing Truth (Duel Decks: Elspeth vs. Tezzeret)
Greg Staples

Return target nonland permanent and all other permanents with the same name as that permanent to their owners' hands.

A single lie unleashes a tide of disbelief.

Animate Object (Unfinity)
Greg Staples

You get seven {TK}. Choose an inanimate object you own from outside the game. Put a power and toughness sticker on it. You may also put a name sticker, an art sticker, and/or an ability sticker on it. Put it onto the battlefield as a creature token.

Tap beverages with extreme caution.

Turn to Mist (Shadowmoor)
Greg Staples

Exile target creature. Return that card to the battlefield under its owner's control at the beginning of the next end step.

"Did you expect me to dodge? How quaint." —Olka, mistmeadow witch

Lodestone Myr (Modern Masters 2015)
Greg Staples

Trample Tap an untapped artifact you control: This creature gets +1/+1 until end of turn.

When necessary, myr can override and control any artificial object, as can their creator.

Orzhov Guildmage (Commander Anthology)
Greg Staples

{2}{W}: Target player gains 1 life. {2}{B}: Each player loses 1 life.

Orzhov Guildmage (Guildpact)
Greg Staples

{2}{W}: Target player gains 1 life. {2}{B}: Each player loses 1 life.

Festival of Embers (Bloomburrow)
Greg Staples

During your turn, you may cast instant and sorcery spells from your graveyard by paying 1 life in addition to their other costs. If a card or token would be put into your graveyard from anywhere, exile it instead. {1}{R}: Sacrifice this enchantment.

Mirrodin's Core (Jumpstart)
Greg Staples

{T}: Add {C}. {T}: Put a charge counter on this land. {T}, Remove a charge counter from this land: Add one mana of any color.

Phantom Warrior (Battlebond)
Greg Staples

This creature can't be blocked.

"The construction of a defense is not accomplished by adding bricks." —Jace Beleren

Mistmeadow Witch (Kaldheim Commander)
Greg Staples

{2}{W}{U}: Exile target creature. Return that card to the battlefield under its owner's control at the beginning of the next end step.

Olka collected the evening mist for years, studying its secrets. Once she learned its essence, she could vanish with a thought.

Might of Oaks (Ninth Edition)
Greg Staples

Target creature gets +7/+7 until end of turn.

"Guess where I'm gonna plant this!"

Torens, Fist of the Angels (Innistrad: Crimson Vow)
Greg Staples

Training (Whenever this creature attacks with another creature with greater power, put a +1/+1 counter on this creature.) Whenever you cast a creature spell, create a 1/1 green and white Human Soldier creature token with training.

He seems absolutely imperturbable. I can fancy what a wonderful power he must have over his patients.

Plaxcaster Frogling (RNA Guild Kit)
Greg Staples

Graft 3 (This creature enters with three +1/+1 counters on it. Whenever another creature enters, you may move a +1/+1 counter from this creature onto it.) {2}: Target creature with a +1/+1 counter on it gains shroud until end of turn. (It can't be the target of spells or abilities.)

Spiketail Hatchling (Eighth Edition)
Greg Staples

Flying (This creature can't be blocked except by creatures with flying or reach.) Sacrifice this creature: Counter target spell unless its controller pays {1}.

It dodges waves of water to prepare for waves of magic.

Urborg Syphon-Mage (Duel Decks: Garruk vs. Liliana)
Greg Staples

{2}{B}, {T}, Discard a card: Each other player loses 2 life. You gain life equal to the life lost this way.

"I have become a gourmet of sorts. Each soul has its own distinctive flavor. The art is in inviting the right company to the feast."

Dragon Breath (The List)
Greg Staples

Enchant creature Enchanted creature has haste. {R}: Enchanted creature gets +1/+0 until end of turn. When a creature with mana value 6 or greater enters, you may return this card from your graveyard to the battlefield attached to that creature.

Nantuko Tracer (Judgment)
Greg Staples

When this creature enters, you may put target card from a graveyard on the bottom of its owner's library.

Your past is a map to where you will go. —Nantuko teaching

Turn to Mist (Ultimate Masters)
Greg Staples

Exile target creature. Return that card to the battlefield under its owner's control at the beginning of the next end step.

"Did you expect me to dodge? How quaint." —Olka, mistmeadow witch

The Face of Boe (Doctor Who)
Greg Staples

{T}: You may cast a spell with suspend from your hand. If you do, pay its suspend cost rather than its mana cost. Activate only as a sorcery.

"You are not alone."

Venerated Teacher (Rise of the Eldrazi)
Greg Staples

When this creature enters, put two level counters on each creature you control with level up.

"The unfathomable is upon us, students. I have no doubt you will rise to the occasion."

Parallax Inhibitor (Nemesis)
Greg Staples

{1}, {T}, Sacrifice this artifact: Put a fade counter on each permanent with fading you control.

"The best I can offer is a temporary reprieve." —Belbe

Thundercloud Shaman (Commander Anthology Volume II)
Greg Staples

When this creature enters, it deals damage equal to the number of Giants you control to each non-Giant creature.

He cares not for the disasters his storm brings as long as his path ahead is clear.

Orzhov Guildmage (Ravnica: Clue Edition)
Greg Staples

{2}{W}: Target player gains 1 life. {2}{B}: Each player loses 1 life.

Honden of Cleansing Fire (Champions of Kamigawa)
Greg Staples

At the beginning of your upkeep, you gain 2 life for each Shrine you control.

To the sorrow of all, its fire was turned toward those who worshipped it.

Attempted Murder (The List)
Greg Staples

Choose target creature. Roll X six-sided dice. For each even result, put two -1/-1 counters on that creature. For each odd result, create a 1/2 blue Bird creature token with flying named Storm Crow.

Squawks was quick to establish the social pecking order.

Fight the _____ Fight (Unfinity)
Greg Staples

Enchant creature you control When this Aura enters, you may put a name sticker on it. When you do, enchanted creature fights up to one target creature you don't control. Enchanted creature gets +0/+2 for each name sticker on this Aura with eight or more letters.

Arden Angel (Secret Lair Drop)
Greg Staples

Flying At the beginning of your upkeep, if Arden Angel is in your graveyard, roll a four-sided die. If the result is 1, return Arden Angel from your graveyard to the battlefield.

Cast from dreams and forged in hope.

Treasure Mage (DCI Promos)
Greg Staples

When this creature enters, you may search your library for an artifact card with mana value 6 or greater, reveal it, put it into your hand, then shuffle.

Archangel of Strife (Commander 2011)
Greg Staples

Flying As this creature enters, each player chooses war or peace. Creatures controlled by players who chose war get +3/+0. Creatures controlled by players who chose peace get +0/+3.

Wet Willie of the Damned (Unhinged)
Greg Staples

Wet Willie of the Damned deals 2½ damage to any target and you gain 2½ life.

Ever the warrior, Glissa responded with a "wedgie from beyond Uranus."

Saber Ants (The List)
Greg Staples

Whenever this creature is dealt damage, you may create that many 1/1 green Insect creature tokens.

They stay on the battlefield only long enough to consume the losers.

Hypnotic Specter (Tenth Edition)
Greg Staples

Flying Whenever this creature deals damage to an opponent, that player discards a card at random.

Its victims are known by their eyes: shattered vessels leaking broken dreams.

Scarblade Elite (Morningtide)
Greg Staples

{T}, Exile an Assassin card from your graveyard: Destroy target creature.

"Rejoice, eyeblight. In your last hours above the earth, those who bury you will finally make you beautiful."

Serra Angel (Welcome Deck 2016)
Greg Staples

Flying Vigilance (Attacking doesn't cause this creature to tap.)

Follow the light. In its absence, follow her.

Spelltithe Enforcer (The List)
Greg Staples

Whenever an opponent casts a spell, that player sacrifices a permanent of their choice unless they pay {1}.

His assistants calculate the amount of the tribute. He measures out the punishment for delinquency.

Goblin Raider (Ninth Edition)
Greg Staples

This creature can't block.

He's smart for a goblin. He can do two things: hit *and* run.

Lodestone Myr (Planechase)
Greg Staples

Trample Tap an untapped artifact you control: This creature gets +1/+1 until end of turn.

When necessary, myr can override and control any artificial object, as can their creator.

Serra Angel (Magic 2011)
Greg Staples

Flying Vigilance (Attacking doesn't cause this creature to tap.)

Perfect justice in service of a perfect will.

Rakdos, the Muscle (Outlaws of Thunder Junction)
Greg Staples

Flying, trample Whenever you sacrifice another creature, exile cards equal to its mana value from the top of target player's library. Until your next end step, you may play those cards, and mana of any type can be spent to cast those spells. Sacrifice another creature: Rakdos gains indestructible until end of turn. Tap it. Activate only once each turn.

Skyhunter Skirmisher (Commander 2014)
Greg Staples

Flying, double strike

"Like dawn's first light, blind the unprepared and banish the shadows." —Skyhunter creed

Pentavus (Commander Anthology Volume II)
Greg Staples

This creature enters with five +1/+1 counters on it. {1}, Remove a +1/+1 counter from this creature: Create a 1/1 colorless Pentavite artifact creature token with flying. {1}, Sacrifice a Pentavite: Put a +1/+1 counter on this creature.

Slitherhead (Return to Ravnica)
Greg Staples

Scavenge {0} ({0}, Exile this card from your graveyard: Put a number of +1/+1 counters equal to this card's power on target creature. Scavenge only as a sorcery.)

"It makes better use of Uncle Dragi's head than he ever did." —Pesha, retired blacksmith

Shattered Dreams (Fifth Dawn)
Greg Staples

Target opponent reveals their hand. You choose an artifact card from it. That player discards that card.

Victims are lucky if they remember ever having had what was lost.

Echoing Decay (Darksteel)
Greg Staples

Target creature and all other creatures with the same name as that creature get -2/-2 until end of turn.

A single fear unleashes a torrent of nightmares.

Dralnu, Lich Lord (Time Spiral Remastered)
Greg Staples

If damage would be dealt to Dralnu, sacrifice that many permanents instead. {T}: Target instant or sorcery card in your graveyard gains flashback until end of turn. The flashback cost is equal to its mana cost. (You may cast that card from your graveyard for its flashback cost. Then exile it.)

Festival of Embers (Bloomburrow Promos)
Greg Staples

During your turn, you may cast instant and sorcery spells from your graveyard by paying 1 life in addition to their other costs. If a card or token would be put into your graveyard from anywhere, exile it instead. {1}{R}: Sacrifice this enchantment.

Gatstaf Arsonists (Shadows over Innistrad)
Greg Staples

Vivify (Odyssey)
Greg Staples

Target land becomes a 3/3 creature until end of turn. It's still a land. Draw a card.

Near the Krosan border, farmers keep watch over their fields lest the sod get up and wander away.

Alloy Golem (Invasion)
Greg Staples

As this creature enters, choose a color. This creature is the chosen color. (It's still an artifact.)

"We turned old weapons into new warriors." —Jhoira, master artificer

Diabolic Tutor (Tenth Edition)
Greg Staples

Search your library for a card, put that card into your hand, then shuffle.

The best ideas often come from the worst minds.

Diabolic Tutor (Magic 2011)
Greg Staples

Search your library for a card, put that card into your hand, then shuffle.

The wise always keep an ear open to the whispers of power.

Colossus of Sardia (Tenth Edition)
Greg Staples

Trample (This creature can deal excess combat damage to the player or planeswalker it's attacking.) This creature doesn't untap during your untap step. {9}: Untap this creature. Activate only during your upkeep.

Buried under a thin layer of dirt, it was known for centuries as Mount Sardia.

Steely Resolve (Onslaught)
Greg Staples

As this enchantment enters, choose a creature type. Creatures of the chosen type have shroud. (They can't be the targets of spells or abilities.)

No one in Wirewood understands what is happening. They just know it's unnatural—and coming from Krosa.

Avarax (Eternal Masters)
Greg Staples

Haste When this creature enters, you may search your library for a card named Avarax, reveal it, put it into your hand, then shuffle. {1}{R}: This creature gets +1/+0 until end of turn.

Stormcloud Djinn (Time Spiral)
Greg Staples

Flying This creature can block only creatures with flying. {R}{R}: This creature gets +2/+0 until end of turn and deals 1 damage to you.

As fickle as lightning, as slippery as an eel.

Soldier (Magic 2015 Tokens)
Greg Staples

Reckless Wurm (Ultimate Masters)
Greg Staples

Trample Madness {2}{R} (If you discard this card, discard it into exile. When you do, cast it for its madness cost or put it into your graveyard.)

Bred for battle in the Grand Coliseum, these wurms annihilated whole ecosystems when released into the wild.

Kazuul's Toll Collector (Oath of the Gatewatch)
Greg Staples

{0}: Attach target Equipment you control to this creature. Activate only as a sorcery.

Travelers are advised to bring extra swords, preferably shiny ones.

Avarax (Onslaught)
Greg Staples

Haste When this creature enters, you may search your library for a card named Avarax, reveal it, put it into your hand, then shuffle. {1}{R}: This creature gets +1/+0 until end of turn.

Aether Vial (Double Masters 2022)
Greg Staples

At the beginning of your upkeep, you may put a charge counter on this artifact. {T}: You may put a creature card with mana value equal to the number of charge counters on this artifact from your hand onto the battlefield.

Seize the Day (The List)
Greg Staples

Untap target creature. After this main phase, there is an additional combat phase followed by an additional main phase. Flashback {2}{R} (You may cast this card from your graveyard for its flashback cost. Then exile it.)

Cinder Elemental (Planechase)
Greg Staples

{X}{R}, {T}, Sacrifice this creature: It deals X damage to any target.

Their rage can grow to such proportions that they explode in a cloud of fire.

Dead Ringers (Mystery Booster 2)
Greg Staples

Destroy two target nonblack creatures unless either one is a color the other isn't. They can't be regenerated.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" crowed Crovax. "They fought together. Now they will die together."

Mahamoti Djinn (Tenth Edition)
Greg Staples

Flying (This creature can't be blocked except by creatures with flying or reach.)

Of royal blood among the spirits of the air, the Mahamoti djinn rides on the wings of the winds. As dangerous in the gambling hall as he is in battle, he is a master of trickery and misdirection.

Solar Blast (The List)
Greg Staples

Solar Blast deals 3 damage to any target. Cycling {1}{R}{R} ({1}{R}{R}, Discard this card: Draw a card.) When you cycle this card, you may have it deal 1 damage to any target.

Steward of Valeron (Duel Decks: Knights vs. Dragons)
Greg Staples

Vigilance {T}: Add {G}.

Knight-stewards guard the Sun-Dappled Court, a grove of immense, sculptured olive trees that represent Valeron's twelve noble families.

Gaea's Anthem (The List)
Greg Staples

Creatures you control get +1/+1.

"To those who can hear it, Gaea's battle song brings power as swift as sunlight and as enduring as the deep roots of the forest." —Gamelen, Citanul elder

Tourach, Dread Cantor (Modern Horizons 2 Promos)
Greg Staples

Kicker {B}{B} (You may pay an additional {B}{B} as you cast this spell.) Protection from white Whenever an opponent discards a card, put a +1/+1 counter on Tourach. When Tourach enters, if it was kicked, target opponent discards two cards at random.

Pentavite (Commander Anthology Volume II Tokens)
Greg Staples

Flying

Radiant's Judgment (Jumpstart 2022)
Greg Staples

Destroy target creature with power 4 or greater. Cycling {2} ({2}, Discard this card: Draw a card.)

Divinity of Pride (Modern Masters)
Greg Staples

Flying, lifelink This creature gets +4/+4 as long as you have 25 or more life.

"She spoke of mystery and portent, of such unfathomable things that my mind screamed for pity." —*The Seer's Parables*

Cruel Revival (Onslaught)
Greg Staples

Destroy target non-Zombie creature. It can't be regenerated. Return up to one target Zombie card from your graveyard to your hand.

Few Cabal fighters fear death. They fear what follows it.

Far (Dragon's Maze)
Greg Staples

Divine Reckoning (Innistrad)
Greg Staples

Each player chooses a creature they control. Destroy the rest. Flashback {5}{W}{W} (You may cast this card from your graveyard for its flashback cost. Then exile it.)

Survival of the purest.

Plated Sliver (Legions)
Greg Staples

All Sliver creatures get +0/+1.

Overcoming extinction has only made the slivers more determined to live.

Exclude (Commander 2014)
Greg Staples

Counter target creature spell. Draw a card.

"I don't have time for you right now." —Teferi

Puncturing Light (Shadows over Innistrad)
Greg Staples

Destroy target attacking or blocking creature with power 3 or less.

"If you refuse to see the light, then you will feel it."

Auramancer's Guise (The List)
Greg Staples

Enchant creature Enchanted creature gets +2/+2 for each Aura attached to it and has vigilance.

"Consider not what the mask hides, but what it can reveal."

Lorescale Coatl (Alara Reborn)
Greg Staples

Whenever you draw a card, put a +1/+1 counter on this creature.

"The enlightenment I never found in etherium I have found traced in the coatl's scales." —Ranalus, vedalken heretic

Dalek Squadron (Doctor Who)
Greg Staples

Menace Myriad (Whenever this creature attacks, for each opponent other than defending player, you may create a token copy that's tapped and attacking that player or a planeswalker they control. Exile the tokens at end of combat.)

Ashnod's Altar (The Brothers' War Retro Artifacts)
Greg Staples

Sacrifice a creature: Add {C}{C}.

"Blood fluting needs to be deeper. Additional hooks needed for nerve rigging. Surface stippling could be coarser. —Ashnod, design notes

Captain of the Watch (Magic 2013)
Greg Staples

Vigilance (Attacking doesn't cause this creature to tap.) Other Soldier creatures you control get +1/+1 and have vigilance. When this creature enters, create three 1/1 white Soldier creature tokens.

Blade Splicer (Modern Masters 2017)
Greg Staples

When this creature enters, create a 3/3 colorless Phyrexian Golem artifact creature token. Golems you control have first strike.

"Flesh is a betrayal of the self."

Dragon Breath (Archenemy)
Greg Staples

Enchant creature Enchanted creature has haste. {R}: Enchanted creature gets +1/+0 until end of turn. When a creature with mana value 6 or greater enters, you may return this card from your graveyard to the battlefield attached to that creature.

Snake (Journey into Nyx Tokens)
Greg Staples

Deathtouch

Solar Blast (Dominaria Remastered)
Greg Staples

Solar Blast deals 3 damage to any target. Cycling {1}{R}{R} ({1}{R}{R}, Discard this card: Draw a card.) When you cycle this card, you may have it deal 1 damage to any target.

Parallax Wave (World Championship Decks 2000)
Greg Staples

Fading 5 (This enchantment enters with five fade counters on it. At the beginning of your upkeep, remove a fade counter from it. If you can't, sacrifice it.) Remove a fade counter from this enchantment: Exile target creature. When this enchantment leaves the battlefield, each player returns to the battlefield all cards they own exiled with it.

Genju of the Fields (Betrayers of Kamigawa)
Greg Staples

Enchant Plains {2}: Until end of turn, enchanted Plains becomes a 2/5 white Spirit creature with "Whenever this creature deals damage, its controller gains that much life." It's still a land. When enchanted Plains is put into a graveyard, you may return this card from your graveyard to your hand.

Glimmerdust Nap (Lorwyn)
Greg Staples

Enchant tapped creature Enchanted creature doesn't untap during its controller's untap step.

The dreams of giants are as long as time and as deep as the earth. Thus they are prized by the dream-harvesting fae.

Second Sunrise (Mirrodin)
Greg Staples

Each player returns to the battlefield all artifact, creature, enchantment, and land cards in their graveyard that were put there from the battlefield this turn.

The bright tunnel sometimes leads back to life.

Night of Souls' Betrayal (Iconic Masters)
Greg Staples

All creatures get -1/-1.

"How can we wage war against ourselves? What happens when the kami of our very souls rise against us? I answer simply: We cannot. We die. There can be no victory in this war." —Sensei Hisoka, letter to Lord Konda

Artifact Mutation (Invasion)
Greg Staples

Destroy target artifact. It can't be regenerated. Create X 1/1 green Saproling creature tokens, where X is that artifact's mana value.

"From shards and splinters I call forth my living horde." —Molimo, maro-sorcerer

Ghost Council of Orzhova (Modern Masters 2015)
Greg Staples

When Ghost Council of Orzhova enters, target opponent loses 1 life and you gain 1 life. {1}, Sacrifice a creature: Exile Ghost Council of Orzhova. Return it to the battlefield under its owner's control at the beginning of the next end step.

Setessan Skirmisher (Theros Beyond Death)
Greg Staples

Constellation — Whenever an enchantment you control enters, this creature gets +1/+1 until end of turn.

Bassara, the tower of the fox, houses the elite skirmishers who guard the Nessian Wood against trespassers.

Radiant's Judgment (Dominaria Remastered)
Greg Staples

Destroy target creature with power 4 or greater. Cycling {2} ({2}, Discard this card: Draw a card.)

Emblazoned Golem (Apocalypse)
Greg Staples

Kicker {X} (You may pay an additional {X} as you cast this spell.) Spend only colored mana on X. No more than one mana of each color may be spent this way. If this creature was kicked, it enters with X +1/+1 counters on it.

Hypnotic Specter (Ninth Edition)
Greg Staples

Flying Whenever this creature deals damage to an opponent, that player discards a card at random.

Mirrodin's Core (The List)
Greg Staples

{T}: Add {C}. {T}: Put a charge counter on this land. {T}, Remove a charge counter from this land: Add one mana of any color.

Martial Coup (Commander 2018)
Greg Staples

Create X 1/1 white Soldier creature tokens. If X is 5 or more, destroy all other creatures.

Their war forgotten, the nations of Bant stood united in the face of a common threat.

Goblin Glory Chaser (Duel Decks: Merfolk vs. Goblins)
Greg Staples

Renown 1 (When this creature deals combat damage to a player, if it isn't renowned, put a +1/+1 counter on it and it becomes renowned.) As long as this creature is renowned, it has menace. (It can't be blocked except by two or more creatures.)

Urborg Syphon-Mage (Time Spiral)
Greg Staples

{2}{B}, {T}, Discard a card: Each other player loses 2 life. You gain life equal to the life lost this way.

"I have become a gourmet of sorts. Each soul has its own distinctive flavor. The art is in inviting the right company to the feast."

Might of Oaks (Ninth Edition)
Greg Staples

Target creature gets +7/+7 until end of turn.

"Guess where I'm gonna plant this!"

Hunted Troll (Ravnica: City of Guilds)
Greg Staples

When this creature enters, target opponent creates four 1/1 blue Faerie creature tokens with flying. {G}: Regenerate this creature.

Parallax Nexus (Nemesis)
Greg Staples

Fading 5 (This enchantment enters with five fade counters on it. At the beginning of your upkeep, remove a fade counter from it. If you can't, sacrifice it.) Remove a fade counter from this enchantment: Target opponent exiles a card from their hand. Activate only as a sorcery. When this enchantment leaves the battlefield, each player returns to their hand all cards they own exiled with it.

Jace's Mindseeker (Magic 2014)
Greg Staples

Flying When this creature enters, target opponent mills five cards. You may cast an instant or sorcery spell from among them without paying its mana cost.

Leonin Relic-Warder (The List)
Greg Staples

When this creature enters, you may exile target artifact or enchantment. When this creature leaves the battlefield, return the exiled card to the battlefield under its owner's control.

Primal Whisperer (Legions)
Greg Staples

This creature gets +2/+2 for each face-down creature on the battlefield. Morph {3}{G} (You may cast this card face down as a 2/2 creature for {3}. Turn it face up any time for its morph cost.)

Skyhunter Skirmisher (Fifth Dawn)
Greg Staples

Flying, double strike

"Like dawn's first light, blind the unprepared and banish the shadows." —Skyhunter creed

Elmar, Ulvenwald Informant (Secret Lair Drop)
Greg Staples

Haste Whenever you cast your second spell each turn, untap target creature, then investigate. (Create a colorless Clue artifact token with "{2}, Sacrifice this artifact: Draw a card.") Friends forever (You can have two commanders if both have friends forever.)

Parallax Wave (Nemesis)
Greg Staples

Fading 5 (This enchantment enters with five fade counters on it. At the beginning of your upkeep, remove a fade counter from it. If you can't, sacrifice it.) Remove a fade counter from this enchantment: Exile target creature. When this enchantment leaves the battlefield, each player returns to the battlefield all cards they own exiled with it.

Plaxcaster Frogling (Modern Masters 2015)
Greg Staples

Graft 3 (This creature enters with three +1/+1 counters on it. Whenever another creature enters, you may move a +1/+1 counter from this creature onto it.) {2}: Target creature with a +1/+1 counter on it gains shroud until end of turn. (It can't be the target of spells or abilities.)

Salvaging Station (Fifth Dawn)
Greg Staples

{T}: Return target noncreature artifact card with mana value 1 or less from your graveyard to the battlefield. Whenever a creature dies, you may untap this artifact.

Phantom Warrior (Magic 2010)
Greg Staples

This creature can't be blocked.

"The construction of a defense is not accomplished by adding bricks." —Jace Beleren

Artificial Evolution (Onslaught)
Greg Staples

Change the text of target spell or permanent by replacing all instances of one creature type with another. The new creature type can't be Wall. (This effect lasts indefinitely.)

Gaea's Anthem (The List)
Greg Staples

Creatures you control get +1/+1.

"To those who can hear it, Gaea's battle song brings power as swift as sunlight and as enduring as the deep roots of the forest." —Gamelen, Citanul elder

Myr Enforcer (Mirrodin)
Greg Staples

Affinity for artifacts (This spell costs {1} less to cast for each artifact you control.)

Most myr monitor other species. Some myr monitor other myr.

Martyr of Dusk (Rivals of Ixalan)
Greg Staples

When this creature dies, create a 1/1 white Vampire creature token with lifelink.

"Should I fall, take up our standard and carry on. The Legion must always prevail."

Plains (Champions of Kamigawa)
Greg Staples

({T}: Add {W}.)

The Fugitive Doctor (Doctor Who)
Greg Staples

When The Fugitive Doctor enters, investigate. Whenever The Fugitive Doctor attacks, you may sacrifice a Clue. When you do, target instant or sorcery card in your graveyard gains flashback {2}{R}{G} until end of turn. (You may cast that card from your graveyard for its flashback cost. Then exile it.)

Hypnotic Specter (Magic 2010)
Greg Staples

Flying Whenever this creature deals damage to an opponent, that player discards a card at random.

Its victims are known by their eyes: shattered vessels leaking broken dreams.

Mistmeadow Witch (Shadowmoor)
Greg Staples

{2}{W}{U}: Exile target creature. Return that card to the battlefield under its owner's control at the beginning of the next end step.

Olka collected the evening mist for years, studying its secrets. Once she learned its essence, she could vanish with a thought.

Demonfire (Ravnica Remastered)
Greg Staples

Demonfire deals X damage to any target. If a creature dealt damage this way would die this turn, exile it instead. Hellbent — If you have no cards in hand, this spell can't be countered and the damage can't be prevented.

Echoing Truth (The List)
Greg Staples

Return target nonland permanent and all other permanents with the same name as that permanent to their owners' hands.

A single lie unleashes a tide of disbelief.

Honor of the Pure (Modern Event Deck 2014)
Greg Staples

White creatures you control get +1/+1.

Together the soldiers were like a golden blade, cutting down their enemies and scarring the darkness.

Venerated Teacher (The List)
Greg Staples

When this creature enters, put two level counters on each creature you control with level up.

"The unfathomable is upon us, students. I have no doubt you will rise to the occasion."

Serra Angel (Foundations)
Greg Staples

Flying Vigilance (Attacking doesn't cause this creature to tap.)

Follow the light. In its absence, follow her.

Dralnu, Lich Lord (Time Spiral)
Greg Staples

If damage would be dealt to Dralnu, sacrifice that many permanents instead. {T}: Target instant or sorcery card in your graveyard gains flashback until end of turn. The flashback cost is equal to its mana cost. (You may cast that card from your graveyard for its flashback cost. Then exile it.)

Sophina, Spearsage Deserter (Secret Lair Drop)
Greg Staples

Menace Whenever Sophina, Spearsage Deserter attacks, investigate once for each nontoken attacking creature. (To investigate, create a Clue token. It's an artifact with "{2}, Sacrifice this artifact: Draw a card.") Friends forever (You can have two commanders if both have friends forever.)

"Track the rot. See how far it goes."

Mahamoti Djinn (Ninth Edition)
Greg Staples

Flying (This creature can't be blocked except by creatures with flying or reach.)

Of royal blood among the spirits of the air, the Mahamoti djinn rides on the wings of the winds. As dangerous in the gambling hall as he is in battle, he is a master of trickery and misdirection.

Colossus of Sardia (The List)
Greg Staples

Trample (This creature can deal excess combat damage to the player or planeswalker it's attacking.) This creature doesn't untap during your untap step. {9}: Untap this creature. Activate only during your upkeep.

Nourishing Shoal (Ultimate Masters)
Greg Staples

You may exile a green card with mana value X from your hand rather than pay this spell's mana cost. You gain X life.

Traumatize (Magic 2010)
Greg Staples

Target player mills half their library, rounded down.

"The educated mind is heavy with lore and knowledge. It's also the most likely to collapse under its own weight." —Ambassador Laquatus

Phantom Warrior (Tenth Edition)
Greg Staples

This creature can't be blocked.

"There are as many pillows of illusion as flakes in a snow-storm. We wake from one dream into another dream." —Ralph Waldo Emerson, "Illusions"

Serra Angel (Commander Anthology)
Greg Staples

Flying Vigilance (Attacking doesn't cause this creature to tap.)

Perfect justice in service of a perfect will.

Gaea's Anthem (Modern Masters 2017)
Greg Staples

Creatures you control get +1/+1.

"To those who can hear it, Gaea's battle song brings power as swift as sunlight and as enduring as the deep roots of the forest." —Gamelen, Citanul elder

Serra Angel (Magic Origins)
Greg Staples

Flying Vigilance (Attacking doesn't cause this creature to tap.)

Follow the light. In its absence, follow her.

Avarax (Dominaria Remastered)
Greg Staples

Haste When this creature enters, you may search your library for a card named Avarax, reveal it, put it into your hand, then shuffle. {1}{R}: This creature gets +1/+0 until end of turn.

Hideous Laughter (Champions of Kamigawa)
Greg Staples

All creatures get -2/-2 until end of turn. Splice onto Arcane {3}{B}{B} (As you cast an Arcane spell, you may reveal this card from your hand and pay its splice cost. If you do, add this card's effects to that spell.)

Vulturous Zombie (Commander 2016)
Greg Staples

Flying Whenever a card is put into an opponent's graveyard from anywhere, put a +1/+1 counter on this creature.

"When something dies, all things benefit. Well okay, just our things." —Ezoc, Golgari rot farmer

Staunch-Hearted Warrior (Ultimate Masters)
Greg Staples

Heroic — Whenever you cast a spell that targets this creature, put two +1/+1 counters on this creature.

As soon as she faces a monster, she begins composing its epitaph.

Howling Gale (Odyssey)
Greg Staples

Howling Gale deals 1 damage to each creature with flying and each player. Flashback {1}{G} (You may cast this card from your graveyard for its flashback cost. Then exile it.)

Plains (Champions of Kamigawa)
Greg Staples

({T}: Add {W}.)

Spiketail Hatchling (Prophecy)
Greg Staples

Flying (This creature can't be blocked except by creatures with flying or reach.) Sacrifice this creature: Counter target spell unless its controller pays {1}.

It dodges waves of water to prepare for waves of magic.

Stormblood Berserker (DCI Promos)
Greg Staples

Bloodthirst 2 (If an opponent was dealt damage this turn, this creature enters with two +1/+1 counters on it.) Menace (This creature can't be blocked except by two or more creatures.)

Echoing Truth (Commander 2015)
Greg Staples

Return target nonland permanent and all other permanents with the same name as that permanent to their owners' hands.

A single lie unleashes a tide of disbelief.

Echoing Courage (The List)
Greg Staples

Target creature and all other creatures with the same name as that creature get +2/+2 until end of turn.

A single seed unleashes a flurry of growth.

Smite the Monstrous (Ugin's Fate)
Greg Staples

Destroy target creature with power 4 or greater.

The changing of a single moment in Tarkir's past altered its future, rewriting its history.

Baneslayer Angel (Magic 2011)
Greg Staples

Flying, first strike, lifelink, protection from Demons and from Dragons

Some angels protect the meek and innocent. Others seek out and smite evil wherever it lurks.

Bloodlord of Vaasgoth (Commander 2017)
Greg Staples

Bloodthirst 3 (If an opponent was dealt damage this turn, this creature enters with three +1/+1 counters on it.) Flying Whenever you cast a Vampire creature spell, it gains bloodthirst 3.

Voice of Many (Kaldheim Commander)
Greg Staples

When this creature enters, draw a card for each opponent who controls fewer creatures than you.

His words echo every roar, screech, and howl of the wilds.