Lightless EvangelHow it works & interactions with other cards

What It Does

Lightless Evangel features a triggered ability that monitors whenever you sacrifice another creature or artifact. Each time one of these types is sacrificed, the Evangel receives a permanent +1/+1 counter. Note that it does not trigger when Lightless Evangel itself is sacrificed, only when other permanents you control leave the battlefield this way.

How It Resolves Step by Step

First, you must activate an ability or cast a spell that requires a sacrifice as a cost, or resolve an effect that instructs you to sacrifice. Once the sacrifice occurs, the Evangel's ability is placed on the stack. Players may respond to this trigger. If the trigger resolves, you place a +1/+1 counter on Lightless Evangel, permanently increasing its power and toughness.

Common Mistakes

A common error is thinking that the Evangel triggers when a creature dies due to combat damage or 'destroy' effects. It only triggers specifically when a permanent is 'sacrificed.' Additionally, remember that while it cares about artifacts, it will only trigger once if you sacrifice a single permanent that is both a creature and an artifact.

When to Play It

This card is best utilized in 'Aristocrat' style decks where you have repeatable ways to sacrifice permanents. It is particularly effective in the early game as a 2-mana threat that can quickly grow out of range of burn spells or smaller blockers, turning your utility pieces into raw power.

Interaction examples

Draining with the Artist

Blood Artist

If you sacrifice another creature while both these cards are on the battlefield, both triggers will go on the stack. You will gain 1 life and your opponent will lose 1 life from the Blood Artist, and Lightless Evangel will receive a +1/+1 counter, effectively doubling the value of your sacrifice.

Converting Artifacts to Power

Ornithopter of Paradise

If you use a spell to sacrifice Ornithopter of Paradise, Lightless Evangel recognizes it as both an artifact and a creature. However, because it is one event, the Evangel only triggers once, receiving a single +1/+1 counter.