Bloodline Pretender 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
Changeling (This card is every creature type.) As this creature enters, choose a creature type. Whenever another creature you control of the chosen type enters, put a +1/+1 counter on this creature.
Complete guide
Bloodline Pretender is a versatile artifact creature that rewards you for leaning into a specific tribal synergy. With its Changeling ability, it fits perfectly into any deck, acting as a flexible threat that grows stronger with every ally you summon. It is an excellent choice for players who want a scaling payoff for their favorite creature types.
Choosing Your Identity
Bloodline Pretender has Changeling, meaning it is every creature type in all zones, including the library and graveyard. As it enters the battlefield, you must choose an existing creature type. You cannot choose types like 'Artifact' or 'Legendary', as those are card types or supertypes. Once a type is chosen, Bloodline Pretender watches for other creatures of that specific type to enter the battlefield under your control.
Step-by-Step Resolution
First, the choice of creature type happens as Bloodline Pretender enters; this does not use the stack and cannot be responded to. Second, once it is on the battlefield, its triggered ability checks every creature you play. If a creature enters and shares the chosen type, the ability triggers. Finally, the ability resolves, and you place one +1/+1 counter on Bloodline Pretender.
Common Mistakes
A common point of confusion involves how Changeling interacts with ability removal. If an effect causes Bloodline Pretender to lose all abilities, it remains all creature types because Changeling is applied in a layer before ability removal takes effect. Additionally, remember that if Bloodline Pretender enters the battlefield at the exact same time as other creatures (such as through a mass resurrection spell), you can choose a type that matches those creatures to trigger its ability immediately for each of them.
When to Play It
Bloodline Pretender is best played early in a tribal-focused deck to maximize the number of +1/+1 counters it can receive. Because it is an artifact creature, it is also highly synergistic in decks that care about historic permanents or artifact counts while still benefiting from creature-type-specific buffs from your other cards.
Interaction examples
Solemn SimulacrumIf you play Bloodline Pretender and choose 'Golem' as the creature type, the next time you cast Solemn Simulacrum, the Pretender's ability will trigger. As Solemn Simulacrum enters the battlefield, you will search for your land, and Bloodline Pretender will receive a +1/+1 counter because a Golem entered under your control.
Roaming ThroneSuppose you have Roaming Throne on the battlefield with 'Shapeshifter' chosen as its type. You then play Bloodline Pretender, also choosing 'Shapeshifter'. When you play a third Shapeshifter, Bloodline Pretender's ability triggers. Because the Pretender is a Shapeshifter (via Changeling) and Roaming Throne doubles triggered abilities of the chosen type, Bloodline Pretender will receive two +1/+1 counters instead of one.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Bloodline Pretender
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
If Bloodline Pretender enters the battlefield at the same time as another creature, you can choose one of that creature's creature types and have Bloodline Pretender's last ability trigger for that other creature.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #2· Wizards of the Coast
If Bloodline Pretender is somehow on the battlefield without a chosen creature type, its last ability can't trigger, even if a creature with no creature types enters the battlefield.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #3· Wizards of the Coast
Changeling is a characteristic-defining ability. It functions in all zones, not only while a card that has it is on the battlefield.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #4· Wizards of the Coast
The subtype Shapeshifter that appears on the type line is mostly there to reinforce the flavor. A creature card with changeling is just as much an Elf, a Dwarf, a Sliver, a Goat, a Coward, and a Zombie as it is a Shapeshifter.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #5· Wizards of the Coast
If an effect causes a creature with changeling to become a new creature type, it will be only that new creature type. It will still have changeling; the effect making it all creature types will simply be overwritten.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #6· Wizards of the Coast
If an effect causes a creature with changeling to lose all abilities, it will remain all creature types, even though it will no longer have changeling. This is because changeling applies before the effect that removes it.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #7· Wizards of the Coast
You must choose an existing creature type, such as Vampire or Druid. You can't choose card types (e.g., artifact) or supertypes (e.g., snow).
No other card is named in this ruling.
Popular combos
Real combos played by the community, sorted by popularity.
Magda, Brazen Outlaw + Clock of Omens + Bloodline Pretender
- 1Activate Clock of Omens by tapping Bloodline Pretender and another artifact, targeting Bloodline Pretender.
- 2Magda triggers, creating a Treasure token.
- 3Resolve the Clock of Omens ability, untapping Bloodline Pretender.
- 4Repeat.
Invisible Woman, Sue Storm + Bloodline Pretender
- 1Cause a Wall to enter under your control.
- 2When the Wall enters, Bloodline Pretender triggers, putting a +1/+1 counter on it.
- 3Invisible Woman triggers, creating a 0/4 Wall creature token with defender.
- 4Repeat from step 2.
Toph, the First Metalbender + Haru, Hidden Talent + Zuran Orb + Bloodline Pretender
- 1Cast Bloodline Pretender by paying
. - 2When Bloodline Pretender enters, Haru triggers, targeting Bloodline Pretender as it is a land due to Toph.
- 3Activate Zuran Orb by sacrificing Bloodline Pretender.
- 4When Bloodline Pretender dies, Haru triggers, returning Bloodline Pretender from your graveyard to the battlefield tapped.
- 5When Bloodline Pretender enters, Haru triggers, targeting Bloodline Pretender as it is a land due to Toph.
- 6Resolve the Zuran Orb ability.
- 7Repeat from step 3.
Toph, the First Metalbender + Haru, Hidden Talent + Ashnod's Altar + Bloodline Pretender
- 1Cast Bloodline Pretender by paying .
- 2When Bloodline Pretender enters, Haru triggers, targeting Bloodline Pretender as it is a land due to Toph.
- 3Activate Ashnod's Altar by sacrificing Bloodline Pretender.
- 4When Bloodline Pretender dies, Haru triggers, returning Bloodline Pretender from your graveyard to the battlefield tapped.
- 5When Bloodline Pretender enters, Haru triggers, targeting Bloodline Pretender as it is a land due to Toph.
- 6Repeat from step 3.
Toph, the First Metalbender + Haru, Hidden Talent + Goblin Bombardment + Bloodline Pretender
- 1Cast Bloodline Pretender by paying .
- 2When Bloodline Pretender enters, Haru triggers, targeting Bloodline Pretender as it is a land due to Toph.
- 3Activate Goblin Bombardment by sacrificing Bloodline Pretender.
- 4When Bloodline Pretender dies, Haru triggers, returning Bloodline Pretender from your graveyard to the battlefield tapped.
- 5When Bloodline Pretender enters, Haru triggers, targeting Bloodline Pretender as it is a land due to Toph.
- 6Resolve the Goblin Bombardment ability.
- 7Repeat from step 3.
Xavier Sal, Infested Captain + Intruder Alarm + Bloodline Pretender
- 1Activate Xavier Sal by tapping it and removing a counter from a permanent you control, creating a copy of a creature token you control.
- 2When the creature token enters the battlefield, Intruder Alarm and Bloodline Pretender trigger.
- 3Resolve the Intruder Alarm trigger, untapping all creatures.
- 4Resolve the Bloodline Pretender trigger, putting a counter on it.
- 5Repeat.
Toph, the First Metalbender + Haru, Hidden Talent + Phyrexian Altar + Bloodline Pretender
- 1Cast Bloodline Pretender by paying .
- 2When Bloodline Pretender enters, Haru triggers, targeting Bloodline Pretender as it is a land due to Toph.
- 3Activate Phyrexian Altar by sacrificing Bloodline Pretender.
- 4When Bloodline Pretender dies, Haru triggers, returning Bloodline Pretender from your graveyard to the battlefield tapped.
- 5When Bloodline Pretender enters, Haru triggers, targeting Bloodline Pretender as it is a land due to Toph.
- 6Repeat from step 3.
Toph, the First Metalbender + Haru, Hidden Talent + Altar of Dementia + Bloodline Pretender
- 1Cast Bloodline Pretender by paying .
- 2When Bloodline Pretender enters, Haru triggers, targeting Bloodline Pretender as it is a land due to Toph.
- 3Activate Altar of Dementia by sacrificing Bloodline Pretender.
- 4When Bloodline Pretender dies, Haru triggers, returning Bloodline Pretender from your graveyard to the battlefield tapped.
- 5When Bloodline Pretender enters, Haru triggers, targeting Bloodline Pretender as it is a land due to Toph.
- 6Resolve the Altar of Dementia ability.
- 7Repeat from step 3.
Legal formats
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Meta decks with Bloodline Pretender
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