The ability triggers on a black card being discarded, milled, or countered, as well as a black card going to the graveyard from the battlefield.

Compost : règles, fonctionnement et interactions (MTG)

Compost 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

Whenever a black card is put into an opponent's graveyard from anywhere, you may draw a card.

Complete guide

Compost is a classic green enchantment designed to turn your opponent's dark magic into your own card advantage. By punishing players for using black cards, it ensures that every time a dark spell or creature meets its end, you reap the rewards. It is a powerful sideboard tool that keeps your hand full throughout the game.

What It Does

Compost features a triggered ability that monitors your opponents' graveyards. Whenever a black card enters an opponent's graveyard from any zone—whether it was discarded from their hand, milled from their library, or destroyed on the battlefield—you have the option to draw a card. Since the ability says "you may," you can choose not to draw if your library is running low.

How It Resolves

The process is straightforward: first, a black card must move into an opponent's graveyard. This triggers Compost, and the ability is put onto the stack. When the trigger resolves, you decide whether to draw a card. Note that if multiple black cards enter the graveyard simultaneously, such as from a board wipe, Compost triggers separately for each individual black card.

Common Mistakes

A common mistake is forgetting that Compost triggers from 'anywhere.' It doesn't just care about creatures dying on the battlefield; it also triggers if a black spell is countered or if an opponent discards a black card to pay a cost. Additionally, remember that it only triggers for 'cards.' Token creatures are not cards, so a black Zombie token dying will not trigger Compost.

When to Play It

Compost is most effective in matchups against heavy black decks, such as Mono-Black Control or Golgari Midrange. It provides a steady stream of resources to outlast their removal spells. In multiplayer formats like Commander, its value increases significantly as it monitors every opponent, turning every black spell played at the table into a potential draw for you.

Interaction examples

Simple Synergy

If your opponent casts a black spell like Murder and you counter it, the black card goes to their graveyard, and Compost triggers, allowing you to draw a card immediately.

Enchantment Diversity

Garruk's Uprising

With both enchantments on the field, you gain card draw from two different sources. If an opponent's black creature is destroyed, Compost lets you draw. If you then play a large creature, Garruk's Uprising triggers, ensuring your hand stays full regardless of what happens on the board.

Counters and Growth

Hardened Scales

While Hardened Scales increases the efficiency of your +1/+1 counters, Compost ensures you have the creatures to put them on. If an opponent uses a black removal spell to kill one of your buffed creatures, Compost triggers, helping you find your next threat to start the cycle again.

Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.

How it works : Compost

Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall

#1October 4, 2004· Wizards of the Coast
The ability triggers on a black card being discarded, milled, or countered, as well as a black card going to the graveyard from the battlefield.
No other card is named in this ruling.