ManaCount
← MTG Rules

Rules guide · Creature

Persistent SpecimenHow it works & interactions with other cards

By the ManaCount desk· 3 min read· Foundations Jumpstart· November 15, 2024
Carte Magic Persistent Specimen

Persistent Specimen 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.

01

Official card text

{2}{B}: Return this card from your graveyard to the battlefield tapped.

How it works : Persistent Specimen

Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall

No additional ruling has been published for this card.

02

Popular combos

Real combos played by the community, sorted by popularity.

Bhaal, Lord of Murder
+Persistent Specimen
+Crystalline Crawler
+Ashnod's Altar
#1

Bhaal, Lord of Murder + Persistent Specimen + Crystalline Crawler + Ashnod's Altar

Infinite death triggersInfinite creature ETBInfinite creature LTBInfinite creature sacrifice triggers
  1. 1Activate Ashnod's Altar by sacrificing Persistent Specimen, adding {C}{C}.
  2. 2When Persistent Specimen dies, Bhaal triggers, putting a +1/+1 counter on Crystalline Crawler and goading it.
  3. 3Activate Crystalline Crawler's first ability by removing a +1/+1 counter from it, adding {B}.
  4. 4Activate Persistent Specimen by paying {2}{B}, returning it from your graveyard to the battlefield tapped.
  5. 5Repeat.
Bhaal, Lord of Murder
+Persistent Specimen
+Cryptic Trilobite
+Phyrexian Altar
#2

Bhaal, Lord of Murder + Persistent Specimen + Cryptic Trilobite + Phyrexian Altar

Infinite death triggersInfinite creature ETBInfinite creature LTBInfinite creature sacrifice triggers
  1. 1Activate Phyrexian Altar by sacrificing Persistent Specimen, adding {B}.
  2. 2When Persistent Specimen dies, Bhaal triggers, putting a +1/+1 counter on Cryptic Trilobite and goading it.
  3. 3Activate Cryptic Trilobite by removing a +1/+1 counter from it, adding {C}{C} that can only be spent to activate abilities.
  4. 4Activate Persistent Specimen by paying {2}{B}, returning it from your graveyard to the battlefield tapped.
  5. 5Repeat.
Szarel, Genesis Shepherd
+Crystalline Crawler
+Shilgengar, Sire of Famine
+Persistent Specimen
#3

Szarel, Genesis Shepherd + Crystalline Crawler + Shilgengar, Sire of Famine + Persistent Specimen

Infinite artifact tokensInfinite creature LTBInfinite creature ETBInfinite colored mana
  1. 1Activate Persistent Specimen by paying {2}{B}, returning it from your graveyard to the battlefield.
  2. 2Activate Shilgengar by sacrificing Persistent Specimen.
  3. 3When Persistent Specimen is sacrificed, Szarel triggers, putting a number of +1/+1 counters equal to Szarel's power on Crystalline Crawler.
  4. 4Resolve the Shilgengar ability.
  5. 5Activate Crystalline Crawler three times by removing three +1/+1 counters from it, adding {2}{B}.
  6. 6Repeat.
Szarel, Genesis Shepherd
+Crystalline Crawler
+Umbral Collar Zealot
+Persistent Specimen
#4

Szarel, Genesis Shepherd + Crystalline Crawler + Umbral Collar Zealot + Persistent Specimen

Infinite creature LTBInfinite creature ETBInfinite colored manaInfinite creature sacrifice triggers
  1. 1Activate Persistent Specimen by paying {2}{B}, returning it from your graveyard to the battlefield.
  2. 2Activate Umbral Collar Zealot by sacrificing Persistent Specimen.
  3. 3When Persistent Specimen is sacrificed, Szarel triggers, putting a number of +1/+1 counters equal to Szarel's power on Crystalline Crawler.
  4. 4Resolve the Umbral Collar Zealot ability.
  5. 5Activate Crystalline Crawler three times by removing three +1/+1 counters from it, adding {2}{B}.
  6. 6Repeat.
03

Legal formats

historictimelessgladiatorpioneermodernlegacypaupervintagecommanderoathbreakerbrawlcompetitivebrawlpaupercommanderdueltlr
0 Image

Commentaires

  • Sois le premier à commenter cette carte.

Read next

Blood Artist

Rules guide

Blood Artist : how it works

Ornithopter of Paradise

Rules guide

Ornithopter of Paradise : how it works

Meta decks with Persistent Specimen

No archived Top 8 deck with this card yet.

Explore the meta
Official source