Salivating GremlinsHow it works & interactions with other cards

Aggressive Artifact Synergy

The core mechanic of Salivating Gremlins is a triggered ability that keys off artifacts entering the battlefield under your control. Each time an artifact enters, the Gremlins receive a +2/+0 power boost and the trample keyword. Because this ability triggers for every individual artifact, multiple artifacts entering at once will result in multiple instances of the bonus, though trample remains redundant.

Step-by-Step Resolution

When an artifact enters the battlefield, the ability is placed on the stack. Once both players pass priority and the ability resolves, Salivating Gremlins gains its bonus. If multiple artifacts enter simultaneously—such as through a mass recursion spell or a card that creates multiple tokens—each artifact causes a separate trigger to go on the stack. You can choose the order of these triggers, and they each resolve independently to stack the power bonus.

Common Pitfalls

A common mistake is forgetting that the bonus only lasts until the end of the turn. If you play an artifact during your second main phase, the Gremlins will grow, but they likely won't be able to attack with that bonus unless you have a way to grant haste or additional combat phases. Additionally, remember that the artifact must actually enter the battlefield; casting an artifact spell that is countered will not trigger the Gremlins.

When to Unleash the Gremlins

Salivating Gremlins is most effective in decks that can chain multiple cheap artifacts or artifact tokens in a single turn. It excels during the combat phase when you can surprise an opponent by flashing in an artifact or using abilities that create artifact tokens, suddenly turning a small creature into a massive trampling threat that is difficult to block efficiently.

Interaction examples

Doubling the Hunger

Roaming Throne

If you cast Roaming Throne and choose 'Gremlin' as it enters, it triggers Salivating Gremlins because the Throne itself is an artifact. Because Roaming Throne is now a Gremlin, its replacement effect causes the Gremlins' triggered ability to trigger an additional time. Salivating Gremlins will get +4/+0 and trample until end of turn from a single artifact entering.

The Value Engine

Solemn Simulacrum

When you play Solemn Simulacrum, two triggers occur: one from the Simulacrum itself to search for a land, and one from Salivating Gremlins because an artifact entered. The Gremlins become a 4/3 with trample. Note that the land entering does not provide an additional bonus, as the land is not an artifact, even though it was fetched by one.