Acererak the ArchlichHow it works & interactions with other cards

Stay or Go: The Entry Trigger

When Acererak the Archlich enters the battlefield, his first ability checks if you have completed the specific dungeon 'Tomb of Annihilation'. If you haven't completed it, he returns to your hand and you venture into the dungeon of your choice. This is an 'intervening if' clause: the ability only triggers if you haven't finished that specific dungeon, and it checks again upon resolution. If he leaves the battlefield before the ability resolves, you still venture, but he obviously cannot return to your hand from the graveyard or exile.

Resolving the Attack Trigger

Whenever Acererak attacks, a separate triggered ability goes on the stack. For each opponent, that player must choose to either sacrifice a creature of their choice or let you create a 2/2 black Zombie token. In multiplayer games, players make this choice in turn order. You don't get the tokens until every opponent has made their decision; then, all sacrifices and token creations happen simultaneously.

Common Mistakes

A common error is thinking you must venture into 'Tomb of Annihilation' to satisfy his entry trigger. You can actually venture into 'Dungeon of the Mad Mage' or 'Lost Mine of Phandelver' instead; however, Acererak will continue to return to your hand every time he enters until 'Tomb of Annihilation' is fully completed. Also, remember that if you complete 'Tomb of Annihilation' while his trigger is on the stack, the ability does nothing—Acererak stays on the field and you do not venture.

When to Play Acererak

Play Acererak early when you want to repeatedly trigger 'Enters the Battlefield' effects or quickly speed through dungeons like 'Lost Mine of Phandelver' for card draw and mana. Once you have completed 'Tomb of Annihilation', Acererak becomes a permanent threat on the board, generating a Zombie army or forcing sacrifices every time he swings at your opponents.

Interaction examples

Speed Running the Dungeon

Acererak the ArchlichLost Mine of Phandelver

You cast Acererak for 3 mana. Since you haven't completed Tomb of Annihilation, his trigger returns him to your hand and you venture into Lost Mine of Phandelver. You can repeat this process as many times as you have mana, effectively using Acererak as a repeatable spell to move through the rooms of your chosen dungeon.

Doubling the Archlich's Power

Acererak the ArchlichRoaming Throne

With Roaming Throne on the battlefield naming 'Zombie', Acererak's abilities trigger twice. If you haven't completed the tomb, you will venture twice and return him to your hand twice (the second return instruction simply does nothing). If he is on the field and attacks, Roaming Throne causes his attack trigger to fire twice, forcing each opponent to sacrifice two creatures or give you two 2/2 black Zombie tokens.

Choosing Between Tokens and Sacrifices

Acererak the ArchlichSolemn Simulacrum

You attack an opponent with Acererak. That opponent controls a Solemn Simulacrum. The opponent chooses to sacrifice the Simulacrum rather than letting you have a 2/2 Zombie. The sacrifice happens, the opponent draws a card from the Simulacrum's death trigger, and you do not receive a token for that specific opponent.