McCoy, Not a BricklayerHow it works & interactions with other cards

Medical Growth and Sustain

McCoy, Not a Bricklayer features two distinct abilities that work in tandem. First, he has a triggered ability that triggers whenever he or another Doctor enters the battlefield under your control, placing a +1/+1 counter on every creature you control. Second, he provides a static ability that grants lifelink to any creature you control as long as it has at least one counter on it.

Step-by-Step Resolution

When McCoy or a Doctor enters the battlefield, the triggered ability is placed on the stack. Upon resolution, you check which creatures you control at that exact moment. You place one +1/+1 counter on each of those creatures. Immediately after these counters are placed, McCoy's static ability applies, and any creature that now has a counter (including McCoy himself) gains lifelink.

Common Mistakes

A common misconception is that the lifelink only applies to +1/+1 counters. In reality, McCoy's static ability checks for any type of counter, including shield, oil, or loyalty counters. Additionally, remember that the +1/+1 counter trigger only happens when a creature with the 'Doctor' subtype enters; other creatures entering will not trigger McCoy, though they will receive counters if a Doctor enters later.

When to Play McCoy

McCoy is most effective in decks featuring multiple creatures or specific Doctor tribal synergies. He serves as a 'lord' effect that scales with the size of your board, making him an excellent finisher in aggressive Selesnya strategies where gaining life can stabilize the race against other fast decks.

Interaction examples

The Doctor's Arrival

Solemn Simulacrum

If you control McCoy, Not a Bricklayer and cast Solemn Simulacrum, the Simulacrum enters and its land-search ability triggers. However, McCoy does not trigger because the Golem is not a Doctor. If you later play another Doctor, both McCoy and the Simulacrum will receive a +1/+1 counter, and both will then have lifelink.

Doubling the Diagnosis

Roaming Throne

If Roaming Throne enters the battlefield and you choose 'Doctor' as its type, it becomes a Doctor. This triggers McCoy, Not a Bricklayer. Because Roaming Throne is a Doctor, McCoy's ability triggers an additional time due to the Throne's static ability. Each creature you control will receive two +1/+1 counters instead of one.

Self-Sustaining Entrance

When you cast McCoy, Not a Bricklayer and he enters an empty battlefield, his own ability triggers. He puts a +1/+1 counter on himself. Because he now has a counter, his second ability grants him lifelink immediately, making him a 5/6 creature with lifelink.