Drakuseth, Maw of FlamesHow it works & interactions with other cards

Unpacking the Attack Trigger

Drakuseth has a triggered ability that goes on the stack the moment it is declared as an attacker. Unlike many creatures that need to connect with a player, Drakuseth deals damage before blockers are even declared. You choose one primary target for 4 damage and up to two other targets for 3 damage each. These must be three distinct targets; you cannot stack all the damage onto a single creature or player.

Step-by-Step Resolution

First, you declare Drakuseth as an attacker during the Declare Attackers step. Second, the triggered ability is put on the stack and you must choose your targets immediately. Third, players have a chance to respond with spells or abilities. Finally, if the ability resolves, it deals the damage simultaneously to all legal targets. Because this happens in the Declare Attackers step, your targets may die before they even get a chance to block.

Strategic Timing and Targets

The best time to use Drakuseth is when your opponent relies on small utility creatures or is low on life. Remember that 'any target' includes players, planeswalkers, and battles. If you target a planeswalker or battle that Drakuseth is currently attacking and the ability destroys it, Drakuseth remains an 'attacking creature' but will not deal combat damage since its original target is gone.

Common Mistakes

A frequent error is trying to target the same creature twice to deal 7 damage. The rules state you must choose 'other' targets for the 3-damage portions, meaning you must select three different objects or players to maximize the effect. Additionally, if Drakuseth is removed from the battlefield in response to its trigger, the ability still resolves and deals damage based on its last known information.

Interaction examples

The Hasty Dragon

If you give Drakuseth haste and attack, you can deal 4 damage to your opponent and 3 damage to two of their blocking creatures. This often clears the way so Drakuseth's 7/7 body can deal its combat damage directly to the opponent's life total.

Elder Dinosaur Synergy

Etali, Primal Storm

When both creatures attack, you control two powerful 'on attack' triggers. You can choose the order: if you resolve Drakuseth first, you can clear potential blockers, then resolve Etali to cast spells from libraries. This ensures your board state is maximized before the opponent can react.

Dragon Strike Team

Ancient Copper Dragon

If Drakuseth and Ancient Copper Dragon attack together, use Drakuseth's ability to kill any creatures with Reach or Flying. By removing these blockers with the attack trigger, Ancient Copper Dragon is more likely to deal combat damage to the player, allowing you to roll a d20 and generate Treasure tokens.