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Rules guide · Enchantment

Retribution of the AncientsHow it works & interactions with other cards

By the ManaCount desk· 5 min read· Khans of Tarkir· September 26, 2014
Carte Magic Retribution of the Ancients

Retribution of the Ancients 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

{B}, Remove X +1/+1 counters from among creatures you control: Target creature gets -X/-X until end of turn.

How it works : Retribution of the Ancients

Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall

  1. #1· Wizards of the Coast

    Once you announce that you are activating the ability of Retribution of the Ancients, no player may take any actions before you pay its costs. Notably, opponents can’t try to remove a creature with counters on it to stop you from paying.

    No other card is named in this ruling.

02

Popular combos

Real combos played by the community, sorted by popularity.

Retribution of the Ancients
+Phyrexian Altar
#1

Retribution of the Ancients + Phyrexian Altar

Infinite creature LTBInfinite creature ETBInfinite creature sacrifice triggersInfinite death triggers
  1. 1Activate Phyrexian Altar by sacrificing the undying creature, adding {B}.
  2. 2When the undying creature dies, its undying ability triggers, returning it from your graveyard to the battlefield with a +1/+1 counter on it.
  3. 3Activate Retribution of the Ancients by paying {B} and removing a +1/+1 counter from the undying creature, giving any creature -1/-1 until end of turn.
  4. 4Repeat.
Horobi, Death's Wail
+Revel in Riches
+Retribution of the Ancients
#2

Horobi, Death's Wail + Revel in Riches + Retribution of the Ancients

Destroy each creature that enters the battlefield under an opponent's controlDestroy any number of creatures opponents controlLock
  1. 1Activate Retribution of the Ancients by paying {B} and removing zero counters from creatures you control, targeting any creature an opponent controls.
  2. 2Horobi triggers, destroying that creature.
  3. 3When the creature dies, Revel in Riches' first ability triggers, creating a Treasure token.
  4. 4Activate the Treasure by tapping and sacrificing it, adding {B}.
  5. 5Repeat.
  6. 6You may also repeat this loop whenever a creature enters the battlefield under an opponent's control.
Mikaeus, the Unhallowed
+Retribution of the Ancients
+Blood Pet
#3

Mikaeus, the Unhallowed + Retribution of the Ancients + Blood Pet

Infinite death triggersInfinite creature ETBInfinite creature LTBInfinite creature sacrifice triggers
  1. 1Activate Blood Pet by sacrificing it, adding {B}.
  2. 2Blood Pet dies, triggering its undying ability, returning it from your graveyard to the battlefield with a +1/+1 counter on it.
  3. 3Activate Retribution of the Ancients by paying {B} and removing the +1/+1 counter from Blood Pet, targeting any creature.
  4. 4Repeat.
Mikaeus, the Unhallowed
+Retribution of the Ancients
+Blood Vassal
#4

Mikaeus, the Unhallowed + Retribution of the Ancients + Blood Vassal

Infinite black manaInfinite death triggersInfinite creature ETBInfinite creature LTB
  1. 1Activate Blood Vassal by sacrificing it, adding {B}{B}.
  2. 2Blood Vassal dies, triggering its undying ability, returning it from your graveyard to the battlefield with a +1/+1 counter on it.
  3. 3Activate Retribution of the Ancients by paying {B} and removing the +1/+1 counter from Blood Vassal, targeting any creature.
  4. 4Repeat.
Mikaeus, the Unhallowed
+Retribution of the Ancients
+Basal Sliver
#5

Mikaeus, the Unhallowed + Retribution of the Ancients + Basal Sliver

Infinite black manaInfinite death triggersInfinite creature ETBInfinite creature LTB
  1. 1Activate Basal Sliver by sacrificing it, adding {B}{B}.
  2. 2Basal Sliver dies, triggering its undying ability, returning it from your graveyard to the battlefield with a +1/+1 counter on it.
  3. 3Activate Retribution of the Ancients by paying {B} and removing the +1/+1 counter from Basal Sliver, targeting any creature.
  4. 4Repeat.
Jan Jansen, Chaos Crafter
+Haunted One
+Retribution of the Ancients
+Goblin Bombardment
#6

Jan Jansen, Chaos Crafter + Haunted One + Retribution of the Ancients + Goblin Bombardment

Infinite artifact ETBInfinite artifact LTBInfinite artifact sacrifice triggersInfinite artifact tokens
  1. 1Activate Jan Jansen's first ability by tapping it and sacrificing another artifact creature you control except the Gnome or Artificer.
  2. 2Jan Jansen triggers, causing it and creatures you control that share a creature type with it to get +2/+0 and undying until end of turn.
  3. 3Resolve the Jan Jansen ability, creating two Treasure tokens.
  4. 4Activate Goblin Bombardment by sacrificing Jan Jansen.
  5. 5When Jan Jansen dies, its undying ability triggers, returning it from your graveyard to the battlefield with a +1/+1 counter on it.
  6. 6Resolve the Goblin Bombardment ability, dealing 1 damage to any target.
  7. 7Activate Jan Jansen's first ability by tapping it and sacrificing the Gnome or Artificer.
  8. 8When the Gnome or Artificer dies, its undying ability triggers, returning it from your graveyard to the battlefield with a +1/+1 counter on it.
Jan Jansen, Chaos Crafter
+Haunted One
+Retribution of the Ancients
+Thermopod
#7

Jan Jansen, Chaos Crafter + Haunted One + Retribution of the Ancients + Thermopod

Infinite artifact ETBInfinite artifact LTBInfinite artifact sacrifice triggersInfinite artifact tokens
  1. 1Activate Jan Jansen's first ability by tapping it and sacrificing another artifact creature you control except the Gnome or Artificer.
  2. 2Jan Jansen triggers, causing it and creatures you control that share a creature type with it to get +2/+0 and undying until end of turn.
  3. 3Resolve the Jan Jansen ability, creating two Treasure tokens.
  4. 4Activate Thermopod by sacrificing Jan Jansen, adding {R}.
  5. 5When Jan Jansen dies, its undying ability triggers, returning it from your graveyard to the battlefield with a +1/+1 counter on it.
  6. 6Activate Jan Jansen's first ability by tapping it and sacrificing the Gnome or Artificer.
  7. 7When the Gnome or Artificer dies, its undying ability triggers, returning it from your graveyard to the battlefield with a +1/+1 counter on it.
  8. 8Resolve the Jan Jansen ability, creating two Treasure tokens.
Jan Jansen, Chaos Crafter
+Haunted One
+Retribution of the Ancients
+Ashnod's Altar
#8

Jan Jansen, Chaos Crafter + Haunted One + Retribution of the Ancients + Ashnod's Altar

Infinite artifact ETBInfinite artifact LTBInfinite artifact sacrifice triggersInfinite artifact tokens
  1. 1Activate Jan Jansen's first ability by tapping it and sacrificing another artifact creature you control except the Gnome or Artificer.
  2. 2Jan Jansen triggers, causing it and creatures you control that share a creature type with it to get +2/+0 and undying until end of turn.
  3. 3Resolve the Jan Jansen ability, creating two Treasure tokens.
  4. 4Activate Ashnod's Altar by sacrificing Jan Jansen, adding {C}{C}.
  5. 5When Jan Jansen dies, its undying ability triggers, returning it from your graveyard to the battlefield with a +1/+1 counter on it.
  6. 6Activate Jan Jansen's first ability by tapping it and sacrificing the Gnome or Artificer.
  7. 7When the Gnome or Artificer dies, its undying ability triggers, returning it from your graveyard to the battlefield with a +1/+1 counter on it.
  8. 8Resolve the Jan Jansen ability, creating two Treasure tokens.
03

Legal formats

historictimelessgladiatorpioneermodernlegacyvintagepennycommanderoathbreakerbrawlcompetitivebrawldueltlr
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Meta decks with Retribution of the Ancients

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