SarcomancyHow it works & interactions with other cards

Entering the Fray

When Sarcomancy enters the battlefield, its triggered ability goes on the stack. Upon resolution, you create a 2/2 black Zombie creature token. This token is a permanent and functions like any other creature, allowing you to attack or block as soon as its summoning sickness wears off. Because the token is created by an 'enters' trigger, Sarcomancy itself must successfully resolve and be on the battlefield for the ability to trigger.

The Upkeep Tax

At the beginning of your upkeep, Sarcomancy checks the battlefield for any creatures with the Zombie subtype. This is an 'intervening if' clause. If you control or an opponent controls at least one Zombie, the ability does not trigger at all. However, if there are no Zombies present, the ability triggers and, upon resolution, Sarcomancy deals 1 damage to you. Note that it doesn't matter who owns the Zombies; as long as one exists anywhere on the battlefield, you are safe from the damage.

Common Mistakes

A common error is forgetting that Sarcomancy checks for any Zombie, not just the token it created. If your token is destroyed but you have another Zombie creature, you won't take damage. Additionally, since the upkeep trigger checks twice—once to see if it triggers and once during resolution—if you somehow create a Zombie in response to the trigger, the ability will resolve but do nothing because the 'if' condition is no longer met.

When to Play It

Sarcomancy is best utilized in aggressive decks that can capitalize on a 2/2 creature on turn one. It is particularly potent in dedicated Zombie tribal decks where you are likely to have other creatures that satisfy its upkeep condition. It can also serve as a cheap enchantment for decks that care about the number of permanents on the battlefield or as sacrifice fodder once the token has outlived its usefulness.

Interaction examples

Fresh Meat

Zombie

1. Cast Sarcomancy for one black mana. 2. When it enters the battlefield, the triggered ability goes on the stack. 3. The ability resolves, and you put a 2/2 black Zombie token onto the battlefield. 4. During your next upkeep, the game checks if there are any Zombies. Since you have the token, Sarcomancy does not deal damage to you.

Graveyard Reinforcements

Animate Dead

1. You control Sarcomancy but your Zombie token was destroyed. 2. At the start of your upkeep, Sarcomancy's damage ability triggers because there are no Zombies. 3. In response to the trigger, you cast Animate Dead targeting a Zombie creature card in your graveyard. 4. Animate Dead resolves, returning the Zombie to the battlefield. 5. Sarcomancy's trigger then tries to resolve, checks for Zombies, finds one, and fails to deal damage to you.

The Construct Conflict

Urza's Saga

1. You have Sarcomancy and an Urza's Saga on chapter II. 2. Your Zombie token is killed. 3. On your upkeep, Sarcomancy's ability triggers because there are no Zombies. 4. You use Urza's Saga to create a Construct artifact creature token. 5. Although you now have a 0/0 Construct (buffed by artifacts), it does not have the Zombie subtype. 6. Sarcomancy's ability resolves and deals 1 damage to you because no Zombies are present.