Crawling Chorus — ruling 1

A player with ten or more poison counters loses the game. This is a state-based action and doesn't use the stack. In other words, it happens immediately and players can't respond to it, just like a player losing the game due to having 0 or less life.

Crawling Chorus — ruling 2

Toxic doesn't change the amount of combat damage a creature deals. For example, if a 2/2 creature with toxic 1 deals combat damage to a player, that creature will deal 2 damage. The results of that damage are the player loses 2 life and gets a poison counter.

Crawling Chorus — ruling 3

Any other effects of that damage, such as life gain from lifelink, still apply.

Crawling Chorus — ruling 4

If a creature with toxic deals combat damage to a creature or planeswalker, or if it deals noncombat damage, toxic has no effect and no player gets poison counters.

Crawling Chorus — ruling 5

Damage dealt by a creature with toxic grants the same number of counters regardless of how much damage is dealt. Notably, if a replacement effect modifies the damage in some way (such as that of Gratuitous Violence), the number of counters given remains unchanged.

Crawling Chorus — ruling 6

Conversely, replacement effects that apply to the number of counters put on a player can modify the counters placed this way. For example, Vorinclex, Monstrous Raider's last two abilities can apply to counters placed this way.

Crawling Chorus — ruling 7

Multiple instances of toxic are cumulative. For example, if a creature has toxic 2 and gains toxic 1 due to another effect, combat damage that creature deals to a player will cause that player to get 3 poison counters.

Crawling Chorus : règles, fonctionnement et interactions (MTG)

Crawling Chorus 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

Toxic 1 (Players dealt combat damage by this creature also get a poison counter.) When this creature dies, create a 1/1 colorless Phyrexian Mite artifact creature token with toxic 1 and "This token can't block."

Complete guide

Crawling Chorus is a relentless one-mana threat from the Phyrexian ranks, designed to apply early pressure through poison. Even when your opponent manages to remove it from the battlefield, its influence lingers by leaving behind a specialized token. It is a cornerstone for aggressive white-based decks looking to win through the Toxic mechanic.

The Toxic Mechanic

Crawling Chorus possesses Toxic 1, which functions as a static ability. When this creature deals combat damage to a player, that player loses life equal to its power and simultaneously receives one poison counter. Unlike Infect, Toxic does not replace damage with counters; the damage and the counter happen at the same time. If a player reaches ten or more poison counters, they lose the game immediately as a state-based action.

Death and Rebirth

When Crawling Chorus dies, its triggered ability goes on the stack. Upon resolution, you create a 1/1 colorless Phyrexian Mite artifact creature token. This token also has Toxic 1, ensuring your poison strategy continues. However, keep in mind that the Mite is an artifact and it explicitly states it 'can't block,' making it a purely offensive tool.

Resolution and Combat Steps

During the combat damage step, if Crawling Chorus is unblocked, it deals 1 damage to the opponent. The opponent loses 1 life and gains a Poison Counter. If Crawling Chorus is blocked and killed, its 'dies' trigger is placed on the stack during the end of combat or the second main phase. Once that trigger resolves, the Phyrexian Mite is placed onto the battlefield under your control.

Common Strategic Mistakes

A common mistake is assuming Toxic works on creatures. If Crawling Chorus deals damage to a creature or a planeswalker, Toxic has no effect; it only grants poison counters when damaging a player. Additionally, remember that increasing the creature's power does not increase its Toxic value. Even if you buff Crawling Chorus to a 5/5, it still only gives exactly one poison counter unless it gains additional instances of the Toxic keyword.

Interaction examples

Early Game Pressure

Poison Counter

On turn one, you cast Crawling Chorus. On turn two, you attack an opponent who has no blockers. Crawling Chorus deals 1 damage. The opponent loses 1 life and, because of Toxic 1, you give them their first Poison Counter. They are now 10% of the way to losing the game regardless of their total life points.

Trading in Combat

Esper Sentinel

Phyrexian Mite

You attack with Crawling Chorus. Your opponent blocks with Esper Sentinel. Both creatures deal 1 damage to each other and both die. Because Crawling Chorus left the battlefield, its ability triggers. You then create a 1/1 Phyrexian Mite token, effectively replacing your creature while your opponent's board is diminished.

Toxic vs. Flying Blockers

Ornithopter of Paradise

If you attack and your opponent blocks with Ornithopter of Paradise, Crawling Chorus deals 1 damage to the Thopter. Because the damage was not dealt to a player, no Poison Counter is generated. The Ornithopter of Paradise survives with 1 damage marked on it, and the 'dies' trigger of Crawling Chorus does not activate because it remained on the battlefield.

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

How it works : Crawling Chorus

Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall

#1February 4, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
A player with ten or more poison counters loses the game. This is a state-based action and doesn't use the stack. In other words, it happens immediately and players can't respond to it, just like a player losing the game due to having 0 or less life.
Card named in this ruling
Poison Counter
#2February 4, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
Toxic doesn't change the amount of combat damage a creature deals. For example, if a 2/2 creature with toxic 1 deals combat damage to a player, that creature will deal 2 damage. The results of that damage are the player loses 2 life and gets a poison counter.
Card named in this ruling
Poison Counter
#3February 4, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
Any other effects of that damage, such as life gain from lifelink, still apply.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#4February 4, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
If a creature with toxic deals combat damage to a creature or planeswalker, or if it deals noncombat damage, toxic has no effect and no player gets poison counters.
Card named in this ruling
Poison Counter
#5February 4, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
Damage dealt by a creature with toxic grants the same number of counters regardless of how much damage is dealt. Notably, if a replacement effect modifies the damage in some way (such as that of Gratuitous Violence), the number of counters given remains unchanged.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#6February 4, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
Conversely, replacement effects that apply to the number of counters put on a player can modify the counters placed this way. For example, Vorinclex, Monstrous Raider's last two abilities can apply to counters placed this way.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#7February 4, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
Multiple instances of toxic are cumulative. For example, if a creature has toxic 2 and gains toxic 1 due to another effect, combat damage that creature deals to a player will cause that player to get 3 poison counters.
Card named in this ruling
Poison Counter