It That Betrays — ruling 1

Annihilator abilities trigger and resolve during the declare attackers step. The defending player chooses and sacrifices the required number of permanents before they declare blockers. Any creatures sacrificed this way won’t be able to block.

It That Betrays — ruling 2

If a creature with annihilator is attacking a planeswalker, and the defending player chooses to sacrifice that planeswalker, the attacking creature continues to attack. It may be blocked. If it isn’t blocked, it simply won’t deal combat damage to anything.

It That Betrays — ruling 4

It doesn’t matter whose graveyard the permanent is put into, only that it was last controlled by, and sacrificed by, an opponent.

It That Betrays — ruling 5

If an opponent sacrifices a nontoken permanent as part of paying the cost of a spell or ability, the second ability triggers and goes on the stack on top of it. This ability will resolve, causing you to return the card to the battlefield before the other spell or ability resolves.

It That Betrays — ruling 6

When the second ability resolves, you must return the card to the battlefield, even if you don’t want to.

It That Betrays — ruling 7

If an opponent sacrifices an Aura, you’ll choose what it enchants as you return it to the battlefield. No player can respond to the choice. Since an Aura doesn’t target anything if it isn’t cast as a spell, you can enchant a permanent with shroud this way.

It That Betrays — ruling 8

If the sacrificed permanent that caused the second ability to trigger somehow leaves the graveyard before the ability resolves (possibly because it was returned to the battlefield by the ability of another It That Betrays), the ability simply won’t do anything when it resolves.

It That Betrays : règles, fonctionnement et interactions (MTG)

It That Betrays 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

Annihilator 2 (Whenever this creature attacks, defending player sacrifices two permanents of their choice.) Whenever an opponent sacrifices a nontoken permanent, put that card onto the battlefield under your control.

Complete guide

Few sights in Magic: The Gathering are as terrifying as the arrival of It That Betrays. This massive 11/11 Eldrazi not only forces your opponents to lose their most precious assets but immediately turns those assets against them.

Unpacking the Abilities

It That Betrays possesses two distinct abilities that create a devastating cycle. Annihilator 2 forces the defending player to sacrifice two permanents during the declare attackers step. Its second ability is a triggered effect that triggers whenever an opponent sacrifices a nontoken permanent for any reason—not just from the Annihilator keyword—bringing that card onto the battlefield under your control.

Resolving the Trigger

When an opponent sacrifices a nontoken permanent, It That Betrays creates a trigger that goes on the stack. If the sacrifice was part of a cost for a spell or ability, your new permanent will arrive before that spell or ability even resolves. Note that you must return the card to the battlefield even if it would be detrimental to you. If the permanent leaves the graveyard before this ability resolves, the ability fails to do anything.

Common Mistakes

A frequent misunderstanding involves tokens; It That Betrays only returns nontoken cards to the battlefield. Additionally, players often forget that this ability works regardless of whose graveyard the card enters, as long as an opponent was the one who sacrificed it. Finally, remember that if an Aura is returned this way, it does not target, meaning you can attach it to a permanent with shroud.

When to Play It

With a mana cost of 12, this creature is a late-game finisher. It is most effective when your opponent relies on high-value permanents or uses sacrifice as a mechanic. Playing this alongside other Annihilator creatures ensures you can effectively 'steal' their entire board state in just a few combat turns.

Interaction examples

Dealing with Shuffle Effects

Ulamog, the Infinite Gyre

If an opponent is forced to sacrifice Ulamog, the Infinite Gyre, two triggers will go on the stack: Ulamog's shuffle ability and the ability of It That Betrays. Since it is the opponent's turn to respond, the triggers are placed on the stack in APNAP (Active Player, Non-Active Player) order. If it is your turn and you attacked, your trigger is placed first and Ulamog's second; Ulamog will shuffle away before you can take it. However, if the sacrifice happens on the opponent's turn, you will successfully put Ulamog onto the battlefield before the shuffle occurs.

Replacement Effects and Graveyards

Blightsteel Colossus

If an opponent sacrifices Blightsteel Colossus, its replacement effect causes it to be revealed and shuffled into the library instead of ever hitting the graveyard. Because the card never reaches the graveyard, It That Betrays cannot find it to return it to the battlefield, and the ability will fail to do anything.

Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.

How it works : It That Betrays

Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall

#1June 15, 2010· Wizards of the Coast
Annihilator abilities trigger and resolve during the declare attackers step. The defending player chooses and sacrifices the required number of permanents before they declare blockers. Any creatures sacrificed this way won’t be able to block.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#2June 15, 2010· Wizards of the Coast
If a creature with annihilator is attacking a planeswalker, and the defending player chooses to sacrifice that planeswalker, the attacking creature continues to attack. It may be blocked. If it isn’t blocked, it simply won’t deal combat damage to anything.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#3June 15, 2010· Wizards of the Coast
The second ability triggers whenever an opponent sacrifices a nontoken permanent for any reason, not just due to the annihilator ability.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#4June 15, 2010· Wizards of the Coast
It doesn’t matter whose graveyard the permanent is put into, only that it was last controlled by, and sacrificed by, an opponent.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#5June 15, 2010· Wizards of the Coast
If an opponent sacrifices a nontoken permanent as part of paying the cost of a spell or ability, the second ability triggers and goes on the stack on top of it. This ability will resolve, causing you to return the card to the battlefield before the other spell or ability resolves.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#6June 15, 2010· Wizards of the Coast
When the second ability resolves, you must return the card to the battlefield, even if you don’t want to.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#7June 15, 2010· Wizards of the Coast
If an opponent sacrifices an Aura, you’ll choose what it enchants as you return it to the battlefield. No player can respond to the choice. Since an Aura doesn’t target anything if it isn’t cast as a spell, you can enchant a permanent with shroud this way.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#8June 15, 2010· Wizards of the Coast
If the sacrificed permanent that caused the second ability to trigger somehow leaves the graveyard before the ability resolves (possibly because it was returned to the battlefield by the ability of another It That Betrays), the ability simply won’t do anything when it resolves.
No other card is named in this ruling.