Malefic ScytheHow it works & interactions with other cards

Scaling Power

When Malefic Scythe enters the battlefield, it starts with a single soul counter, immediately granting the equipped creature +1/+1. Each time the equipped creature dies, the Scythe gains another soul counter. Because the bonus is based on the number of counters currently on the Equipment, the power and toughness boost increases incrementally throughout the game.

Triggering the Harvest

The ability that adds counters is a triggered ability that checks specifically for the death of the equipped creature. 'Dies' means the creature is put into a graveyard from the battlefield. If the creature is exiled or returned to your hand, Malefic Scythe does not receive a new counter. Note that the Scythe remains on the battlefield when the creature dies, ready to be picked up by a new wielder.

Equipping for Success

You can only activate the Equip ability as a sorcery, meaning during your main phase when the stack is empty. If you have extra mana from artifacts like Sol Ring or Arcane Signet, you can easily move the Scythe between creatures to ensure its bonus is always active on your best attacker or a creature you expect to die soon.

Interaction examples

Initial Deployment

Sol Ring

You cast Sol Ring and tap it for two colorless mana to cast Malefic Scythe. The Scythe enters the battlefield with one soul counter already on it. If you then equip it to a creature, that creature immediately receives +1/+1.

Growing the Blade

Arcane Signet

You have a creature equipped with Malefic Scythe (which has 1 counter). During combat, that creature dies and goes to the graveyard. Malefic Scythe's triggered ability puts a second soul counter on it. You use mana from Arcane Signet to pay the Equip {1} cost, attaching the Scythe to a new creature. This new creature now receives +2/+2.