Midnight BansheeHow it works & interactions with other cards

Corrosive Presence

Midnight Banshee features two primary mechanics. First, Wither changes how it deals damage; instead of temporary damage, it places permanent -1/-1 counters on creatures it fights. Second, its triggered ability occurs at the start of your upkeep, placing a -1/-1 counter on every nonblack creature on the battlefield. This affects your creatures as well as your opponents', provided they lack the black color identity.

Upkeep Resolution

When your upkeep phase begins, the Banshee's ability goes on the stack. As it resolves, the game checks the colors of every creature currently on the battlefield. If a creature does not have 'black' in its color profile, it receives a -1/-1 counter. This check happens only once per resolution; if a creature changes color or enters the battlefield after the ability resolves, it won't be affected until your next turn.

Common Missteps

A frequent mistake is forgetting that Midnight Banshee is not immune to its own damage if its color is changed, though as a black creature by default, it usually ignores its own upkeep trigger. Another point of confusion involves Wither: damage dealt by Wither is still damage. It will trigger 'whenever a creature deals damage' abilities, but the result is recorded as counters rather than marked damage.

Strategic Deployment

You should play Midnight Banshee when you have established a board of black creatures that can withstand the attrition, or when your opponent relies on small, nonblack utility creatures. Because it costs three black mana, it is also an excellent tool for increasing your devotion for various black-centric payoffs.

Interaction examples

Devotion and Decay

Gray Merchant of Asphodel

With both permanents on the battlefield, Midnight Banshee provides three black pips toward your devotion. When Gray Merchant of Asphodel enters, it counts the three {B} from the Banshee and the two {B} from itself, ensuring a significant life drain. Furthermore, because the Merchant is black, it is immune to the Banshee's upkeep trigger, allowing your board to remain strong while enemies wither away.

The Grim Toll

Syr Konrad, the Grim

As Midnight Banshee places -1/-1 counters on nonblack creatures each upkeep, eventually their toughness will reach zero and they will die. Each time a creature dies from these counters, Syr Konrad, the Grim triggers, dealing 1 damage to each opponent. Since Syr Konrad is black, he is protected from the Banshee's effect, creating a lethal loop of passive damage.