Pitiless PlundererHow it works & interactions with other cards

Wealth from Death

Pitiless Plunderer features a triggered ability that watches for other creatures you control dying. Each time a creature you control (other than the Plunderer itself) is put into a graveyard from the battlefield, the ability triggers. The result is the creation of a Treasure token, which can be tapped and sacrificed at any time you could activate a mana ability to add one mana of any color to your pool.

Resolution Step-by-Step

When a creature you control dies, the Plunderer's ability is placed on the stack. First, the game checks the state of the battlefield at the moment of the creature's death. Second, the ability is put onto the stack and players have a chance to respond. Finally, once the ability resolves, you create a Treasure token. Note that if Pitiless Plunderer and other creatures you control are destroyed by the same effect, the Plunderer 'sees' them die and you will still get a Treasure for each other creature lost.

Common Pitfalls

A common mistake is forgetting that Pitiless Plunderer only triggers for creatures you control. If an opponent's creature dies, you do not get a Treasure. Additionally, tokens count as creatures; if a creature token you control dies, it still triggers the Plunderer before it ceases to exist. However, the Plunderer does not trigger for itself unless another effect specifically causes it to trigger upon its own death.

Strategic Deployment

You should play Pitiless Plunderer when you have a reliable way to sacrifice your creatures or when you expect a board wipe. Since it provides immediate mana ramp upon creature death, it is excellent for keeping your momentum during a turn where you are losing board presence. It also shines in decks that care about artifacts or 'leaves the battlefield' triggers.

Interaction examples

Doubling the Loot

Roaming Throne

If you have Roaming Throne on the battlefield with 'Human' or 'Pirate' chosen, and another creature you control dies, Pitiless Plunderer's ability triggers. Because Roaming Throne sees a triggered ability of a creature you control of the chosen type, it causes the Plunderer to trigger an additional time, resulting in two Treasure tokens instead of one.

The Ultimate Value Engine

Solemn Simulacrum

When you sacrifice Solemn Simulacrum, two things happen: you may draw a card from its own triggered ability, and Pitiless Plunderer triggers because another creature you control died. You end up with a new card in hand and a Treasure token on the battlefield, effectively refunding some of the mana spent and replacing the creature.

Liquidating Assets

Treasure

With Pitiless Plunderer on the field, every creature death generates a Treasure. You can then use the mana from that Treasure to cast more creatures or spells. If those new creatures die, they generate more Treasure, creating a self-sustaining cycle of mana production that can fuel high-cost finishers.