Fugitive ListenerHow it works & interactions with other cards

What Fugitive Listener Does

Fugitive Listener features an 'enters' triggered ability. As soon as it successfully resolves and enters the battlefield from the stack (or any other zone), it triggers a mandatory effect that targets your opponents' resources. Each opponent must choose one card from their hand and put it into their graveyard.

Step-by-Step Resolution

First, you cast Fugitive Listener or put it onto the battlefield through an effect. Once it is on the battlefield, the triggered ability is put onto the stack. When the ability resolves, starting with the next player in turn order, each opponent chooses a card from their hand. All chosen cards are then discarded simultaneously. Note that since the ability says 'each opponent', it scales effectively in multiplayer games like Commander.

Common Pitfalls

It is important to remember that Fugitive Listener does not target a specific player; it affects 'each opponent'. This means it bypasses keywords like Hexproof or Shroud on your opponents. Additionally, you do not get to choose which cards they discard; your opponents make that choice themselves. If an opponent has no cards in hand, the ability simply does nothing to them.

When to Play It

This creature is best played early to mid-game when opponents are holding onto key spells or reactive answers. It is also a prime candidate for 'flicker' effects or tribal synergies, allowing you to trigger the discard effect multiple times to eventually empty your opponents' hands entirely.

Interaction examples

The Scout and the Throne

Roaming Throne

If you control Roaming Throne and chose 'El-Aurian' or 'Scout' as it entered, Fugitive Listener's ability will trigger an additional time. When Fugitive Listener enters, two instances of the discard ability go on the stack, forcing each opponent to discard two cards in total.

Value Sequencing

Solemn Simulacrum

In a mid-game turn, you might play Solemn Simulacrum to ramp a land onto the battlefield, then follow up with Fugitive Listener. While the Golem thins your deck, the Listener ensures your opponent has fewer cards to deal with your growing board state.