Orcish Hellraiser 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
Echo(At the beginning of your upkeep, if this came under your control since the beginning of your last upkeep, sacrifice it unless you pay its echo cost.) When this creature dies, it deals 2 damage to target player or planeswalker.
Complete guide
Orcish Hellraiser is a fast-paced red creature that brings early aggression to the table with a literal explosive finish. This Orc Warrior forces a choice between sustaining your board presence or letting it burn out to damage your opponent directly.
Understanding the Echo Cost
Orcish Hellraiser features the Echo keyword, which acts as a delayed payment for its low initial mana cost. If Orcish Hellraiser entered the battlefield or changed control since your last upkeep, its Echo ability triggers at the start of your current upkeep. You must choose to either pay {R} or sacrifice the creature; if you cannot or choose not to pay, it is put into the graveyard.
Resolving the Death Trigger
Whether Orcish Hellraiser dies in combat, is sacrificed to its own Echo ability, or is destroyed by an opponent's spell, its triggered ability goes on the stack. You then choose a target player or planeswalker. When that ability resolves, the Hellraiser deals 2 damage to that target. This makes it a reliable source of damage even if it only stays on the battlefield for one turn.
When to Pay the Echo
Playing Orcish Hellraiser effectively requires evaluating the board state. If you need a blocker or more attackers to trigger 'whenever a creature attacks' abilities, paying the {R} is a bargain. However, if your opponent is at 2 life, intentionally declining to pay the Echo cost during your upkeep is a valid strategic move to trigger the death damage immediately.
Interaction examples
Ornithopter of ParadiseYou cast Orcish Hellraiser on turn two. At the beginning of your next upkeep, the Echo trigger goes on the stack. You tap Ornithopter of Paradise to add {R} to your mana pool. You use this mana to pay the Echo cost. Orcish Hellraiser remains on the battlefield, ready to attack during your combat phase.
Professional Face-BreakerYou control Professional Face-Breaker and attack with Orcish Hellraiser. If the Orc deals combat damage, Professional Face-Breaker creates a Treasure token. During your next upkeep, you can sacrifice that Treasure to produce {R}, allowing you to pay for the Orc's Echo cost without tapping any lands.
Your opponent is at 2 life and has a massive blocker. You cast Orcish Hellraiser. On your next upkeep, the Echo ability triggers. You choose not to pay {R}. Orcish Hellraiser is sacrificed, which triggers its second ability. You target your opponent with that ability, dealing the final 2 damage to win the game.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Orcish Hellraiser
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
A permanent’s echo ability will trigger during your upkeep if it entered the battlefield since the beginning of your last upkeep, if you gained control of it since the beginning of your last upkeep, or if another player took control of it and it returned to your control since the beginning of your last upkeep.
No other card is named in this ruling.
Legal formats
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Meta decks with Orcish Hellraiser
No archived Top 8 deck with this card yet.