Laboratory BruteHow it works & interactions with other cards

What It Does

Laboratory Brute features a single 'enters' triggered ability. When it successfully moves from the stack to the battlefield, its ability is placed on the stack. Once that ability resolves, you take the top four cards of your library and put them directly into your graveyard.

Step-by-Step Resolution

First, you cast Laboratory Brute and it enters the battlefield. Second, the triggered ability goes on the stack, and players have a chance to respond with instants or abilities. Finally, if the ability resolves, you perform the action of milling four cards regardless of whether Laboratory Brute is still on the battlefield.

Common Mistakes

A common mistake is thinking you must mill the cards as you cast the creature. Remember that milling only occurs after the creature has successfully entered the battlefield. Additionally, milling is not optional; you must move exactly four cards if they are available in your library.

When to Play It

This card is best played in decks that treat the graveyard as a second hand. Whether you are looking for specific targets to reanimate or trying to satisfy 'delirium' requirements, the four cards provided by Laboratory Brute offer a significant jumpstart to your resource pool.

Interaction examples

The Doubling Effect

Roaming Throne

If you control Roaming Throne and chose 'Zombie' as it entered, Laboratory Brute's ability will trigger twice. When the Brute enters, you will mill four cards, and then mill another four cards, for a total of eight.

Curve Efficiency

Solemn Simulacrum

Playing Solemn Simulacrum on turn four ensures you have the blue mana needed for Laboratory Brute. While the Golem thins your deck of lands, the Brute then mills the remaining spells into the graveyard for later retrieval.