Hidden StockpileHow it works & interactions with other cards

Understanding Revolt

The primary mechanic of Hidden Stockpile is Revolt, which triggers at the beginning of your end step. It checks one simple condition: did a permanent you controlled leave the battlefield this turn? It doesn't matter if the permanent was destroyed, sacrificed, exiled, or returned to your hand. As long as at least one permanent left the battlefield while under your control, the ability triggers. Note that tokens also count as permanents, so losing a token will satisfy the Revolt requirement just as effectively as losing a non-token card.

Step-by-Step Resolution

First, the game checks the Revolt condition exactly as your end step begins; if no permanent left the battlefield earlier in the turn, the ability does not trigger at all. Second, if the condition is met, the ability is put onto the stack. Finally, when the ability resolves, you create one 1/1 colorless Servo artifact creature token. Even if ten permanents left the battlefield, you only create one Servo per Hidden Stockpile. During any player's turn, you can also pay one mana and sacrifice a creature to Scry 1, which helps you dig for answers and can trigger Revolt for your own end step.

Common Mistakes

A frequent error is assuming that multiple permanents leaving the battlefield results in multiple tokens; however, Revolt is a binary check (yes or no). Another common mistake is trying to sacrifice a creature during the end step to trigger the Revolt ability. Because the ability checks its condition the moment the end step starts, you must ensure a permanent has left the battlefield before that phase begins. Additionally, remember that the permanent must have been under your control, but it does not need to have been owned by you.

When to Play It

Hidden Stockpile is most effective in 'Aristocrat' style decks where you have frequent, low-cost ways to sacrifice permanents. It excels when you need to maintain board presence against board wipes or when you need to filter your draws. Because the Servo it creates is an artifact, it also provides excellent synergy for decks that care about the number of artifacts you control or for fueling further sacrifice costs.

Interaction examples

Self-Sustaining Loop

Servo

If you have a Servo token on the battlefield, you can pay one mana and sacrifice that Servo to activate Hidden Stockpile's second ability to Scry 1. Because a permanent you controlled (the Servo) left the battlefield this turn, the Revolt ability will trigger at the beginning of your end step, creating a new Servo token to replace the one you lost.

Generating Extra Value

Black Market Connections

During your pre-combat main phase, you use Black Market Connections to create a Treasure token. If you then sacrifice that Treasure token for mana later in the turn, the Revolt condition for Hidden Stockpile is met. At the beginning of your end step, you will receive a 1/1 Servo token because the Treasure (a permanent you controlled) left the battlefield.

Strategic Scrying

Phyrexian Arena

If you know you have a card you don't want on top of your library due to Phyrexian Arena's upcoming draw, you can sacrifice a creature to Hidden Stockpile during your opponent's end step. This allows you to Scry 1 and move the unwanted card to the bottom of your library before your upkeep begins.