Plaguecrafter 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
When this creature enters, each player sacrifices a creature or planeswalker of their choice. Each player who can't discards a card.
Complete guide
Plaguecrafter is a powerful Human Shaman that forces everyone at the table to pay a price. Whether you need to bypass hexproof or strip cards from your opponent's hand, this creature is a versatile tool for black mages. Let's dive into how its sacrifice ability works and how you can maximize its efficiency.
A Choice for All
When Plaguecrafter enters the battlefield, its triggered ability goes on the stack. Unlike spells that target, this ability affects 'each player.' Each player must choose one creature or planeswalker they control to sacrifice. If a player does not control a creature or a planeswalker, they must discard a card instead. Note that if a player has a valid permanent to sacrifice, they must sacrifice it; they cannot choose to discard unless they have no creatures or planeswalkers on the board.
Turn Order and Resolution
Resolution follows a specific sequence. First, the player whose turn it is (usually you) chooses a permanent. Then, each other player in turn order makes their choice, knowing what the previous players have chosen. Once everyone has chosen, all selected permanents are sacrificed simultaneously. Immediately after, anyone who couldn't sacrifice must choose a card to discard, and those cards are discarded at the same time.
Self-Sacrifice and Timing
A common strategy is using Plaguecrafter to sacrifice itself. Since it is already on the battlefield when the ability resolves, it is a legal choice for its own trigger. This is useful if you have no other creatures or want to trigger 'death' abilities without losing more valuable board pieces. Remember, if you control a creature or planeswalker, you cannot opt to discard a card; you must sacrifice.
Interaction examples
Roaming ThroneIf you control Roaming Throne with 'Human' or 'Shaman' chosen as the creature type, Plaguecrafter's ability triggers twice. Each player must sacrifice a creature or planeswalker for the first trigger, then repeat the process for the second. This can effectively clear an opponent's board and hand in one turn.
Solemn SimulacrumYou can use Plaguecrafter's ability to sacrifice Solemn Simulacrum. Not only do you force your opponents to sacrifice a resource, but you also trigger the Simulacrum's 'dies' ability to draw a card, ensuring you stay ahead in card advantage.
Plaguecrafter's FamiliarIf you have Plaguecrafter's Familiar in your hand, you can use its ability to give Plaguecrafter deathtouch perpetually. When you later play Plaguecrafter, it enters as a deathtouching threat that forces sacrifices, making it even more dangerous if it survives its own trigger.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Plaguecrafter
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
As Plaguecrafter's ability resolves, first the player whose turn it is chooses a creature or planeswalker they control, then each other player in turn order does the same, knowing the choices made before them. Then all the chosen permanents are sacrificed at the same time. Next, each player in the same order who couldn't sacrifice a permanent chooses a card in hand without revealing it, then the chosen cards are discarded at the same time.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #2· Wizards of the Coast
Each player chooses a permanent to sacrifice from among the creatures and planeswalkers they control. You don't choose which type of permanent any other player has to sacrifice.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #3· Wizards of the Coast
Plaguecrafter can be the creature its controller sacrifices for its own ability.
No other card is named in this ruling.
Interactions with other cards
These cards' text mentions Plaguecrafter.
Legal formats
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Meta decks with Plaguecrafter
No archived Top 8 deck with this card yet.