Bloodvial PurveyorHow it works & interactions with other cards

A Double-Edged Sword

Bloodvial Purveyor is a 5/6 creature with Flying and Trample, making it an incredible threat on the board. However, it has a mandatory triggered ability: whenever an opponent casts a spell, they create a Blood token. These tokens allow players to pay one mana, tap, and discard a card to draw a new one. This means your opponent can refine their hand while you try to close out the game.

Calculating the Attack Bonus

The true power of the Purveyor comes when it turns sideways. When Bloodvial Purveyor attacks, its last ability triggers and counts the number of Blood tokens the defending player controls. It gains +1/+0 until end of turn for each of those tokens. Note that if you are playing a multiplayer game, you only count the tokens controlled by the specific player (or the controller of the planeswalker) that Bloodvial Purveyor is currently attacking.

Common Mistakes and Timing

A common error is forgetting that the Blood token creation happens when the spell is cast, not when it resolves. This means the opponent could potentially use that new Blood token to cycle into a removal spell to deal with the Purveyor before the attack phase. Additionally, remember that the attack bonus is calculated only once when the creature is declared as an attacker; if the opponent sacrifices their Blood tokens after the trigger has resolved, the Purveyor's power does not decrease.

When to Unleash the Vampire

This card is best used in aggressive decks that plan to win before the opponent can make use of the extra card draw. Because it has Trample, it is very difficult to block effectively once it starts gaining power. It is particularly effective against decks that cast many low-cost spells, as they will inadvertently fuel the Purveyor's strength very quickly.

Interaction examples

Feeding the Beast

Bloodvial PurveyorSolemn Simulacrum

If your opponent casts Solemn Simulacrum, Bloodvial Purveyor's ability triggers immediately. The opponent creates a Blood token. Later, when you attack that opponent with Bloodvial Purveyor, it will detect that Blood token and receive +1/+0, becoming a 6/6 creature for that combat.

Doubling the Bloodlust

Bloodvial PurveyorRoaming Throne

If you have Roaming Throne on the battlefield with 'Vampire' chosen, Bloodvial Purveyor's triggered abilities will trigger an additional time. If an opponent casts a spell, they will create two Blood tokens instead of one. When the Purveyor attacks, its power-boosting ability triggers twice, effectively giving it +2/+0 for every Blood token the defending player controls.

Using the Blood

Bloodvial PurveyorBlood

If an opponent has three Blood tokens and you attack with Bloodvial Purveyor, its ability goes on the stack. If the opponent does nothing, the Purveyor becomes an 8/6. However, if the opponent responds to the trigger by sacrificing all three Blood tokens to draw cards, the Purveyor will check the count when its ability resolves, see zero tokens, and receive no bonus, remaining a 5/6.