Prosperous PiratesHow it works & interactions with other cards

Hoarding the Loot

When Prosperous Pirates enters the battlefield, its triggered ability goes on the stack. Once it resolves, you create two Treasure tokens. These are artifact tokens with the ability to tap and sacrifice themselves to add one mana of any color to your mana pool. This is a triggered ability, meaning it happens automatically once the creature is successfully cast and hits the board.

Resolution Step-by-Step

First, you cast Prosperous Pirates by paying four generic and one blue mana. If the spell resolves, the creature enters the battlefield, and its 'enters' ability triggers. Before you can take any other actions, the ability is placed on the stack. Once both players pass priority and the ability resolves, you place two Treasure tokens onto the battlefield. These tokens are ready to be used immediately for mana if needed.

Common Misconceptions

A common mistake is thinking the Treasure tokens can be used to pay for Prosperous Pirates itself; however, the creature must already be on the battlefield for the ability to trigger. Additionally, remember that Treasure tokens are artifacts. If an opponent has an effect that punishes artifacts entering the battlefield, it will trigger twice—once for each Treasure.

When to Set Sail

Prosperous Pirates is best utilized in decks that care about having multiple artifacts or need to fix their mana colors. Because the Treasures provide any color of mana, they can help you cast splash spells or high-cost finishers. It is also an excellent choice in 'Blink' strategies where you can repeatedly trigger its entry ability to amass a fortune.

Interaction examples

Doubling the Haul

Roaming Throne

If you have Roaming Throne on the battlefield with 'Pirate' chosen as the creature type, Prosperous Pirates entering will trigger its ability twice. Instead of two Treasures, you will create a total of four Treasure tokens, significantly boosting your available mana.

Mana Acceleration

Solemn Simulacrum

After casting Prosperous Pirates, you can immediately sacrifice the two Treasure tokens created to pay for the generic mana cost of Solemn Simulacrum. This allows you to develop your board and your mana base rapidly in a single turn.

Utilizing the Loot

Treasure

When Prosperous Pirates enters, you receive two Treasure tokens. You can tap and sacrifice one Treasure to add blue mana and the second to add any other color, such as red, to satisfy specific casting requirements for spells in your hand.