GloomshriekerHow it works & interactions with other cards

What it Does

Gloomshrieker has three distinct abilities. First, Menace ensures it is difficult to block, requiring at least two creatures to stand in its way. Second, it features an enters-the-battlefield trigger that recovers any permanent card from your graveyard to your hand. Finally, it has a replacement effect: if it would die, it is exiled instead of being put into the graveyard.

Step-by-Step Resolution

When Gloomshrieker enters the battlefield, its triggered ability goes on the stack and you must choose a legal target—a permanent card in your graveyard. When the ability resolves, that card moves to your hand. Later, if Gloomshrieker is destroyed or sacrificed, the replacement effect immediately moves it to the exile zone. Because it never hits the graveyard, 'dies' triggers will not occur.

Common Mistakes

A common error is attempting to trigger 'when a creature dies' effects with Gloomshrieker. Since the card text states it is exiled instead of dying, it never technically 'dies' by game rules. Additionally, remember that its recursion only targets permanent cards (artifacts, creatures, enchantments, lands, or planeswalkers), so you cannot return instants or sorceries.

When to Play It

Gloomshrieker is best played in the mid-to-late game when your graveyard is populated with high-value targets. Because it exiles itself upon death, it is a one-time value engine unless you have ways to move it from exile back into play or your hand.

Interaction examples

Permanent Recursion Loop

Sakura-Tribe Elder

You sacrifice Sakura-Tribe Elder to find a land. Later, you cast Gloomshrieker. When Gloomshrieker enters, you target Sakura-Tribe Elder in your graveyard to return it to your hand, allowing you to repeat the mana ramp process.

Missing Death Triggers

Solemn Simulacrum

If Solemn Simulacrum and Gloomshrieker are both destroyed by a board wipe, Solemn Simulacrum's ability will trigger, allowing you to draw a card. However, Gloomshrieker's replacement effect will exile it, meaning it does not 'die' and cannot trigger any similar death-based effects you might control.

Recovering Lost Value

Solemn Simulacrum

If your Solemn Simulacrum was destroyed earlier in the game, playing Gloomshrieker allows you to return the Simulacrum to your hand. This lets you cast the Golem again to search for another basic land, doubling the value of your artifact creature.