Massacre Girl, Most WantedHow it works & interactions with other cards

Death and Taxes

Massacre Girl, Most Wanted has two distinct triggered abilities that feed into each other. The first triggers whenever another creature or planeswalker you control dies, dealing 1 damage to a target opponent and gaining you 1 life. Because this is noncombat damage, it immediately triggers her second ability: 'Whenever an opponent is dealt noncombat damage, put a +1/+1 counter on Massacre Girl.' This creates a reliable engine where your dying units permanently buff your Commander while slowly draining your enemies.

Understanding the Trigger Timing

When a creature you control dies, Massacre Girl's first ability is put onto the stack. You must choose a target opponent at this time. Once the ability resolves, that opponent is dealt 1 damage. Only after that damage is dealt does the second ability trigger to place the +1/+1 counter. Note that if multiple creatures you control die at the same time, such as during a board wipe, you will get a separate damage trigger and subsequent counter for each one.

Noncombat Damage Nuances

It is important to remember that her growth ability triggers on any noncombat damage dealt to an opponent, not just the damage she deals herself. This includes spells, other creature abilities, or even damage from sources like enchantments. However, combat damage—damage dealt by creatures during the combat damage step as a result of attacking—will not trigger the +1/+1 counter ability.

Strategic Placement

You should play Massacre Girl, Most Wanted in decks that feature sacrifice outlets or 'aristocrat' strategies. She is most effective when you have a board of expendable creatures that can be sent to the graveyard to trigger her drain effect. Since she grows with every ping, she can quickly become a massive threat that demands an answer, often growing out of range of damage-based removal spells.

Interaction examples

The Value Sacrifice

Solemn Simulacrum

If Solemn Simulacrum is put into your graveyard from the battlefield while Massacre Girl is out, two things happen. First, the Simulacrum's own ability triggers, allowing you to draw a card. Simultaneously, Massacre Girl's ability triggers. You target an opponent to take 1 damage and you gain 1 life. Once that damage is dealt, Massacre Girl's second ability triggers, and she receives a +1/+1 counter.

Doubling the Carnage

Roaming Throne

If you have Roaming Throne on the battlefield with 'Human' or 'Assassin' chosen as the creature type, Massacre Girl's abilities will trigger an additional time. When another creature you control dies, Massacre Girl will trigger twice, dealing 1 damage to an opponent and gaining you 1 life twice. Each instance of that damage then triggers her second ability, which is also doubled by the Throne. In total, a single death results in 2 damage to an opponent and 4 +1/+1 counters on Massacre Girl (two triggers from each of the two damage events).