Plagon, Lord of the BeachHow it works & interactions with other cards

Toughness-Based Card Draw

When Plagon, Lord of the Beach enters the battlefield, its triggered ability checks every creature you control to see if its toughness is strictly greater than its power. For each creature that meets this condition, you draw one card. This check happens only once as the ability resolves, so changing a creature's stats in response to the trigger can affect how many cards you ultimately draw.

Assigning Combat Damage

Plagon’s activated ability costs one hybrid mana (either White or Blue) and allows a target creature to assign combat damage equal to its toughness rather than its power for the turn. It is important to note that this does not change the creature's actual power value. If another spell or ability checks the creature's power, it will still see the original number, not the toughness value being used for damage.

Strategic Timing

Because Plagon's activated ability lasts until the end of the turn, you should typically use it during the Declare Attackers or Declare Blockers step. This ensures your creatures are ready to deal maximum damage before the Combat Damage step begins. Additionally, since Plagon's enter-the-battlefield ability relies on the state of your board, try to cast Plagon after you have established several high-toughness creatures to maximize your hand size.

Common Mistakes

A common point of confusion is how this interacts with 'fight' effects or non-combat damage. Plagon's activated ability specifies 'combat damage.' If a creature deals damage via a spell or an ability that says it deals damage equal to its power, Plagon's effect will not apply, and the creature will use its actual power value instead.

Interaction examples

Maximizing the Entry Trigger

Solemn Simulacrum

If you control Solemn Simulacrum (a 2/2) and then cast Plagon, Lord of the Beach, the Simulacrum does not have toughness greater than its power. You would only draw a card for Plagon itself if its own toughness is higher than its power, or for other qualifying creatures. If you can reduce the power of the Simulacrum or boost its toughness before Plagon's trigger resolves, you would then draw an additional card for it.

Doubling the Tide

Roaming Throne

With Roaming Throne on the battlefield naming 'Starfish' or 'Wizard,' Plagon's entry ability will trigger twice. As each trigger resolves, it checks how many creatures you control with toughness greater than their power. This allows you to draw two cards for every qualifying creature you control, potentially refilling your hand entirely in a single turn.