Intruding SoulragerHow it works & interactions with other cards

Understanding the Sacrifice

The ability of Intruding Soulrager requires two costs: tapping the creature and sacrificing a Room. You can sacrifice any permanent with the Room subtype, regardless of which half is unlocked or if the Room is currently a creature. Because sacrificing the Room is part of the activation cost, your opponents cannot respond by destroying the Room to prevent the ability from being placed on the stack.

Step-by-Step Resolution

First, you announce the ability and pay the costs by tapping Intruding Soulrager and putting a Room you control into the graveyard. Once the ability resolves, it deals 2 damage to each opponent simultaneously. Finally, you draw a card. Note that the damage and the draw are not dependent on each other; as long as the ability resolves, both effects happen.

Vigilance and Timing

A common mistake is forgetting that Intruding Soulrager has vigilance. This means it does not tap to attack, leaving it untapped and ready to use its ability during your post-combat main phase or even on an opponent's turn. Always consider attacking first if the board state allows, then utilizing the sacrifice ability later to maximize the creature's value.

Strategic Implementation

You should play Intruding Soulrager in decks that feature several Room cards to ensure you have fuel for its engine. It serves as an excellent 'finisher' by dealing direct damage to opponents who have stabilized the board with blockers, while simultaneously digging through your library for more threats.

Interaction examples

Vigilance and Resource Management

Ornithopter of Paradise

You have Intruding Soulrager and Ornithopter of Paradise on the battlefield. During your turn, you attack with Intruding Soulrager; because it has vigilance, it remains untapped. After combat, you tap Ornithopter of Paradise to produce mana to cast a Room. Later, on your opponent's end step, you tap Intruding Soulrager to sacrifice that Room, dealing 2 damage and drawing a card, effectively using all your resources in a single cycle.

Multi-Threat Pressure

Professional Face-Breaker

With both creatures out, you attack an opponent. Professional Face-Breaker has menace, making it hard to block, while Intruding Soulrager attacks freely thanks to vigilance. If they deal combat damage, Professional Face-Breaker creates a Treasure. After combat, you can use Intruding Soulrager to sacrifice a Room for damage and a card draw, then use the Treasure via Professional Face-Breaker to exile and play the top card of your library, compounding your card advantage.