Nocturnal Feeder 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
Flying When this creature dies, each opponent loses 2 life and you gain 2 life.
Complete guide
Nocturnal Feeder is a classic Vampire Rogue that provides value both in the air and upon its departure. This creature ensures that even if your opponent manages to remove it, they will suffer a life-drain penalty while bolstering your own total. It is a reliable tool for aggressive decks that need to maintain momentum through combat or removal.
Death from the Shadows
Nocturnal Feeder is a 2/1 creature with Flying, making it an efficient attacker early in the game. Its primary utility, however, lies in its triggered ability that occurs when it dies. This is a 'dies' trigger, meaning it must move from the battlefield to the graveyard for the ability to activate. Once triggered, each opponent loses 2 life and you gain 2 life, creating a 4-point life swing in standard 1v1 play.
Resolving the Drain
When Nocturnal Feeder is dealt lethal damage or destroyed, its ability is put onto the stack. In a standard game, the life loss and life gain happen simultaneously during resolution. In multiplayer formats like Two-Headed Giant, the 'each opponent' clause means both players on the opposing team lose 2 life, resulting in a total loss of 4 life for their shared pool, while you still gain only 2 life.
State-Based Actions and Timing
It is important to remember that state-based actions are checked before triggers are put on the stack. If a spell or combat damage reduces your life total to 0 at the exact same time Nocturnal Feeder receives lethal damage, you will lose the game before you have a chance to gain the 2 life from its ability. The trigger never gets the chance to resolve if you have already been eliminated.
Strategic Implementation
Because this creature has Flying, it often forces an opponent to use a removal spell or a specific flying blocker. This makes it an excellent 'rattlehead'—a creature your opponent doesn't want to kill because of the death trigger, but cannot afford to ignore because of the repeatable chip damage in the air.
Interaction examples
Roaming ThroneIf you have Roaming Throne on the battlefield with 'Vampire' chosen as the creature type, Nocturnal Feeder's ability will trigger an additional time when it dies. This results in each opponent losing a total of 4 life and you gaining 4 life, as the Throne sees the Vampire's triggered ability activate and adds a second instance to the stack.
Solemn SimulacrumIf an opponent uses a board wipe like 'Wrath of God' while you control both creatures, both 'dies' triggers will go on the stack. As the active player, you choose the order. You can choose to draw a card from Solemn Simulacrum first, then resolve the life drain from Nocturnal Feeder, or vice versa, ensuring you replenish your resources even as your board is cleared.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Nocturnal Feeder
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
If your life total is brought to 0 or less at the same time that Nocturnal Feeder is dealt lethal damage, you lose the game before its ability goes on the stack.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #2· Wizards of the Coast
In a Two-Headed Giant game, Nocturnal Feeder’s ability causes the opposing team to lose 4 life and you to gain 2 life.
No other card is named in this ruling.
Legal formats
Commentaires
- Sois le premier à commenter cette carte.
Read next
Meta decks with Nocturnal Feeder
No archived Top 8 deck with this card yet.