Abyssal Gorestalker 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 creature enters, each player sacrifices two creatures of their choice.
Complete guide
Abyssal Gorestalker is a heavy-hitting Horror that demands a high price from everyone at the table. When this creature hits the battlefield, the board state is guaranteed to shift as every player must give up two of their own. It is a powerful tool for controlling wide boards while potentially setting up your own graveyard synergies.
What It Does
Abyssal Gorestalker has a triggered ability that triggers when it enters the battlefield. Every player, including you, is forced to sacrifice two creatures. Because this ability does not target, it bypasses keywords like Hexproof or Protection, making it an effective way to remove threats that are otherwise hard to touch.
Resolving the Ability Step by Step
When the ability resolves, first the player whose turn it is (usually you) chooses two creatures to sacrifice. Then, each other player in turn order does the same, knowing what the players before them have chosen. Finally, all chosen creatures are sacrificed simultaneously. If a player only controls one creature, they must sacrifice that one; if they control zero, they simply sacrifice nothing.
Common Mistakes
A frequent error is forgetting that Abyssal Gorestalker can be one of the creatures you sacrifice. If it is the only creature you control when the ability resolves, you must sacrifice it to its own trigger. Additionally, remember that you cannot choose to sacrifice more than two creatures even if you want to, nor can you choose fewer if you control two or more.
When to Play It
This card is best used when your opponents have a few high-value targets and you have expendable creatures or a way to benefit from things dying. Since the sacrifice is simultaneous, it is also a great way to trigger 'whenever a creature dies' abilities for a massive effect across the whole table.
Interaction examples
Syr Konrad, the GrimWith Syr Konrad, the Grim on the battlefield, you cast Abyssal Gorestalker. When the Gorestalker enters, its ability triggers. If there are four players and everyone sacrifices two creatures, eight creatures die at once. Syr Konrad will trigger for each other creature dying, dealing massive damage to all opponents simultaneously.
Gray Merchant of AsphodelIf you control Gray Merchant of Asphodel and then play Abyssal Gorestalker, the Gorestalker's ability will force sacrifices. If you choose to sacrifice the Merchant and the Gorestalker, they both leave the battlefield. This is important to time correctly, as their presence on the board only counts toward your devotion to black while they are actually on the battlefield.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Abyssal Gorestalker
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
As the enters-the-battlefield ability resolves, first the player whose turn it is chooses which two creatures they are going to sacrifice, then each other player in turn order does the same. Players will know the choices of previous players when making their choices. Then all creatures are sacrificed by their controllers simultaneously.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #2· Wizards of the Coast
If a player controls only one creature as the ability resolves, they must sacrifice it.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #3· Wizards of the Coast
You may sacrifice Abyssal Gorestalker to its own ability. If it is the only creature you control or one of two creatures you control, you must sacrifice it.
No other card is named in this ruling.
Legal formats
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Meta decks with Abyssal Gorestalker
No archived Top 8 deck with this card yet.