Moriok RiggerHow it works & interactions with other cards

What It Does

Moriok Rigger has a triggered ability that monitors the battlefield for any artifact being put into a graveyard. This includes artifact creatures, artifact lands, and standard artifacts like Equipment or Food tokens. Note that because the ability says 'you may,' you have the choice to put the +1/+1 counter on it or not each time the ability triggers.

Step-by-Step Resolution

First, an artifact must move directly from the battlefield to a graveyard; this is often referred to as 'dying' if the artifact is a creature. Once the artifact hits the graveyard, Moriok Rigger's ability triggers and is placed on the stack. When the ability resolves, you choose whether to place a +1/+1 counter on Moriok Rigger. If Moriok Rigger and an artifact are destroyed at the same time (for example, by a board wipe), Moriok Rigger's ability will trigger for each other artifact, but since it is no longer on the battlefield when the triggers resolve, you cannot put counters on it.

Common Mistakes

A common point of confusion is whether tokens trigger this ability. While tokens do briefly hit the graveyard and will trigger Moriok Rigger, they cease to exist immediately after. Also, remember that this ability does not trigger if an artifact is exiled or returned to a player's hand, as the card must reach the graveyard to satisfy the 'put into a graveyard' requirement.

When to Play It

Moriok Rigger is most effective in 'Aristocrat' style decks that utilize artifact creatures. It acts as a growing threat that punishes opponents for using removal on your utility artifacts or rewards you for sacrificing your own resources for value.

Interaction examples

Scavenging the Sad Robot

Solemn Simulacrum

You have Moriok Rigger and Solemn Simulacrum on the battlefield. When Solemn Simulacrum dies, two triggers occur: its own ability to draw a card and Moriok Rigger's ability to receive a +1/+1 counter. You can stack these in any order, allowing you to draw your card and grow your Rigger into a 3/3 creature.

Doubling the Rigger Triggers

Roaming Throne

If Roaming Throne enters the battlefield and you choose 'Rigger' as the creature type, Moriok Rigger's ability will trigger twice whenever an artifact is put into a graveyard. If a single artifact is destroyed, you may put two +1/+1 counters on Moriok Rigger instead of one, doubling the speed at which it grows.