ScrapheapHow it works & interactions with other cards

What It Does

Scrapheap features a triggered ability that monitors your side of the battlefield. Every time an artifact or enchantment you control is moved from the battlefield to your graveyard, you gain 1 life. Note that this effect only triggers when the permanent goes specifically to the graveyard, not if it is exiled or returned to your hand.

How It Resolves

The process starts when an artifact or enchantment is destroyed or sacrificed. First, the permanent moves to the graveyard. Second, Scrapheap's ability triggers and is placed on the stack. Finally, when the ability resolves, you gain 1 life. If multiple permanents go to the graveyard at the same time, Scrapheap triggers once for each of them.

Common Mistakes

Players often forget that Scrapheap only triggers for their own permanents; you won't gain life when an opponent's artifact is destroyed. Additionally, tokens do trigger this ability because they briefly visit the graveyard before ceasing to exist. However, if an artifact is exiled instead of destroyed, Scrapheap will not trigger at all.

When to Play It

Scrapheap is most effective in decks featuring sacrifice outlets or 'Eggs' strategies where permanents are frequently sent to the graveyard for value. It is also a decent inclusion in defensive artifact decks to offset aggressive damage while you set up your late-game win conditions.

Interaction examples

Recycling Utility

Arcane Signet

If your opponent casts a spell to destroy your Arcane Signet, the Signet is put into your graveyard. This event triggers Scrapheap, and you gain 1 life as the Signet leaves the battlefield.

Equipping for Value

Swiftfoot Boots

If a creature equipped with Swiftfoot Boots is destroyed by a board wipe, the Boots remain on the battlefield. However, if a spell specifically destroys the Swiftfoot Boots, they move to the graveyard and Scrapheap grants you 1 life.

Simultaneous Destruction

Arcane SignetSwiftfoot Boots

If an effect destroys all artifacts you control while you have both Arcane Signet and Swiftfoot Boots out, Scrapheap will see both permanents leaving the battlefield at once. Two separate triggers will go on the stack, resulting in a total gain of 2 life.