Golgari Decoy 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
All creatures able to block this creature do so. Scavenge(
Complete guide
Golgari Decoy is a master of distraction that forces your opponent's entire army to focus their attention on it during combat. Even after it falls in battle, its Scavenge ability allows it to empower another creature from beyond the grave. This Elf Rogue is a versatile tool for clearing a path for your other attackers or providing a late-game boost.
Forcing the Block
Golgari Decoy has a static ability that creates a requirement for blockers. During the declare blockers step, the defending player must assign every creature they control that is legally able to block Golgari Decoy to do so. If a creature has a restriction (such as being tapped or having an ability that says it can't block), it isn't 'able' and is exempt. However, if multiple creatures are able to block, they must all pile onto the Decoy, leaving your other attackers unblocked.
Scavenge from the Graveyard
When Golgari Decoy is in your graveyard, you can activate its Scavenge ability by paying {3}{G}{G} and exiling it. This is done at sorcery speed. Upon resolution, you place a number of +1/+1 counters on a target creature equal to Golgari Decoy's power at the moment it left the graveyard. Note that exiling the card is a cost; once you announce the ability and pay, your opponent cannot use graveyard removal to stop the ability from resolving.
Strategic Timing
The best time to attack with Golgari Decoy is when you have other high-power creatures that need to get damage through. Since the Decoy absorbs all available blockers, your other units will strike the opponent directly. Later, use the Scavenge ability on a creature with evasion, like flying or trample, to maximize the value of those two +1/+1 counters.
Interaction examples
Solemn SimulacrumYou attack with both Golgari Decoy and Solemn Simulacrum. Your opponent has three untapped creatures. Because of the Decoy's ability, all three of the opponent's creatures must block Golgari Decoy. This leaves Solemn Simulacrum completely unblocked, allowing it to deal its damage directly to the opponent.
Eternal WitnessAfter Golgari Decoy dies in combat, it sits in your graveyard. During your main phase, you pay {3}{G}{G} and exile Golgari Decoy to activate Scavenge, targeting Eternal Witness. The Witness receives two +1/+1 counters, permanently becoming a 4/3 creature. If you then play another Eternal Witness, you could even return a different card to your hand while your buffed Witness stays on the field.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Golgari Decoy
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
Exiling the creature card with scavenge is part of the cost of activating the scavenge ability. Once the ability is activated and the cost is paid, it’s too late to stop the ability from being activated by trying to remove the creature card from the graveyard.
No other card is named in this ruling.
Legal formats
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Meta decks with Golgari Decoy
No archived Top 8 deck with this card yet.