Merrow Grimeblotter is one of those cards players keep asking about. Here is, in plain words, what its official text says, the rulings published by Wizards of the Coast, and the combos players actually run.
Official card text
,
: Target creature gets -2/-0 until end of turn. (
Complete guide
Merrow Grimeblotter is a unique Merfolk Wizard from Shadowmoor that utilizes the rare untap symbol. Unlike most creatures that tap to activate abilities, this creature requires being tapped first to pay its cost. It serves as a repeatable combat trick that can significantly weaken your opponent's offensive capabilities.
Mastering the Untap Symbol
The core mechanic of Merrow Grimeblotter is the {Q} symbol, which represents the act of untapping the permanent. To activate this ability, you must pay one hybrid Blue or Black mana and untap the Merrow Grimeblotter as part of the cost. Because untapping is a cost, you cannot activate this ability if the creature is already untapped. Furthermore, the untap happens immediately when you put the ability on the stack, meaning players cannot cast spells or activate abilities to 'stop' the untapping once the cost is being paid.
Timing and Restrictions
Just like the tap symbol, the untap symbol is subject to summoning sickness. If Merrow Grimeblotter has not been under your control since the beginning of your most recent turn, and it does not have haste, you cannot pay the {Q} cost. Once it is ready to act, you can use this ability multiple times in a single turn, provided you have a way to tap it again between activations, such as by attacking or using another card's effect.
Strategic Combat Use
Merrow Grimeblotter is most effective during the declare attackers or declare blockers steps. By giving an opponent's creature -2/-0, you can effectively negate their damage or allow your smaller creatures to survive a trade. Since it untaps itself to use the ability, it can serve as a surprise blocker even after you have attacked with it, provided you can pay the mana.
Interaction examples
Solemn SimulacrumYour opponent attacks with Solemn Simulacrum (2/2). You have Merrow Grimeblotter on the battlefield in a tapped state. You spend {1}{U/B} and untap Merrow Grimeblotter to target the Golem. The Golem now has 0 power until end of turn. You can then use the now-untapped Merrow Grimeblotter to block the Golem, taking no damage and keeping both creatures alive.
Roaming ThroneYou control Roaming Throne with 'Merfolk' chosen as the creature type. You activate Merrow Grimeblotter. Note that Roaming Throne only doubles triggered abilities, not activated abilities. Therefore, you still only get one instance of the -2/-0 effect on the stack. You would need to find a way to tap Merrow Grimeblotter again to activate its ability a second time.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Merrow Grimeblotter
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
If the permanent is already untapped, you can’t activate its
ability. That’s because you can’t pay the “Untap this permanent” cost.No other card is named in this ruling.
- #2· Wizards of the Coast
If a creature with an
ability hasn’t been under your control since your most recent turn began, you can’t activate that ability, unless the creature has haste.No other card is named in this ruling.
- #3· Wizards of the Coast
When you activate an
ability, you untap the creature with that ability as a cost. The untap can’t be responded to. (The actual ability can be responded to, of course.)No other card is named in this ruling.
Popular combos
Real combos played by the community, sorted by popularity.
Myr Welder + Encroaching Mycosynth + Empowered Autogenerator + Merrow Grimeblotter
- 1Activate Myr Welder using Empowered Autogenerator's ability by tapping it, putting a charge counter on Myr Welder and adding
or 
for each charge counter on Myr Welder. - 2Activate Myr Welder using Merrow Grimeblotter's ability by paying
and untapping it, giving target creature -2/-0 until end of turn. - 3Repeat.
Myr Welder + Biotransference + Empowered Autogenerator + Merrow Grimeblotter
- 1Activate Myr Welder using Empowered Autogenerator's ability by tapping it, putting a charge counter on Myr Welder and adding or for each charge counter on Myr Welder.
- 2Activate Myr Welder using Merrow Grimeblotter's ability by paying and untapping it, giving target creature -2/-0 until end of turn.
- 3Repeat.
Legal formats
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Meta decks with Merrow Grimeblotter
No archived Top 8 deck with this card yet.