A Killer Among Us is one of those cards players keep asking about. Here is, in plain words, what its official text says, the rulings published by Wizards of the Coast, and the combos players actually run.
Official card text
When this enchantment enters, create a 1/1 white Human creature token, a 1/1 blue Merfolk creature token, and a 1/1 red Goblin creature token. Then secretly choose Human, Merfolk, or Goblin. Sacrifice this enchantment, Reveal the creature type you chose: If target attacking creature token is the chosen type, put three +1/+1 counters on it and it gains deathtouch until end of turn.
Complete guide
A Killer Among Us is a flavorful enchantment that brings a classic 'whodunit' mystery to your Magic: The Gathering matches. It creates a trio of suspects and forces your opponent to guess which one is the true threat before a deadly ambush occurs. This card excels at psychological warfare, forcing your opponent to make difficult blocking decisions.
Setting the Scene
When A Killer Among Us enters the battlefield, you immediately create three 1/1 creature tokens: a white Human, a blue Merfolk, and a red Goblin. After these tokens are created, you must secretly choose one of those three creature types. You can write your choice on a hidden piece of paper or use another method to ensure the choice remains secret until you are ready to reveal the killer.
Executing the Ambush
The second ability can be activated at any time you have priority while a creature token is attacking. You sacrifice the enchantment and reveal your secret choice. If the target attacking creature token matches the type you chose, it receives three +1/+1 counters and gains deathtouch until the end of the turn. Note that you can target any attacking creature token, but the bonuses only apply if the type matches your secret selection.
Strategic Considerations
A common mistake is assuming you can only target the tokens created by this enchantment. In reality, you can target any attacking creature token you control. However, only the player who made the original secret choice can reveal it to activate the ability. If an opponent takes control of the enchantment, they cannot activate the sacrifice ability because they were not the one who made the secret choice.
When to Strike
The best time to activate this ability is during the declare blockers step after your opponent has chosen not to block one of your tokens, or when they block with a creature they value highly. The sudden jump in power and the addition of deathtouch can turn a simple 1/1 into a lethal threat that persists beyond the turn thanks to the permanent +1/+1 counters.
Interaction examples
Doubling SeasonIf you control Doubling Season when A Killer Among Us enters the battlefield, you will create two Human tokens, two Merfolk tokens, and two Goblin tokens. When you later sacrifice the enchantment and reveal your choice (e.g., Goblin), Doubling Season will also double the counters, placing six +1/+1 counters on your attacking Goblin instead of three.
Human
GoblinSuppose you secretly chose 'Human' when A Killer Among Us entered. During combat, you attack with both a Human token and a Goblin token. If you sacrifice the enchantment targeting the Goblin, you must still reveal your secret choice of 'Human.' Since the target (Goblin) does not match the revealed type (Human), the Goblin receives no counters and no deathtouch.
If you cast a second copy of A Killer Among Us, you must make a new secret choice for the new enchantment. You must clearly track which secret choice belongs to which copy of the enchantment on the battlefield. You could choose 'Merfolk' for the first copy and 'Human' for the second, allowing for multiple potential buffs across different turns or targets.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : A Killer Among Us
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
There are several ways to secretly choose one of the creature types, including writing that type on a piece of paper that's kept with A Killer Among Us.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #2· Wizards of the Coast
If you control multiple copies of A Killer Among Us, you may choose the same or different creature types for each one. Be careful to keep track of which type is chosen for each A Killer Among Us.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #3· Wizards of the Coast
A Killer Among Us's last ability can target any attacking creature token, not just one of the tokens created by its first ability, and not just one of the chosen type. Only a token of the chosen type will get the bonuses, though.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #4· Wizards of the Coast
Only the player who secretly chose the creature type can reveal the creature type they chose. If another player gains control of A Killer Among Us, they will be unable to activate its last ability.
No other card is named in this ruling.
Legal formats
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Meta decks with A Killer Among Us
No archived Top 8 deck with this card yet.