Shaleskin PlowerHow it works & interactions with other cards

Unveiling the Beast

Shaleskin Plower features the Morph keyword, allowing you to cast it face down for three generic mana as a colorless 2/2 creature. While face down, it has no name, creature types, or mana cost. The core of its power lies in its triggered ability: when it is turned face up—either by paying its Morph cost of four generic and one red mana or through an external effect—it targets and destroys a land.

Step-by-Step Resolution

First, you must have the Shaleskin Plower face down on the battlefield. Turning a permanent face up does not use the stack and cannot be responded to. Once the Morph cost is paid, the creature immediately becomes a 4/2 Beast. At this moment, its 'when this creature is turned face up' ability triggers and is put onto the stack. You choose a target land, and players then have the opportunity to respond before the land is destroyed.

Timing and Common Pitfalls

A common mistake is assuming the ability triggers if the card is revealed from your hand or library; it only triggers when the permanent moves from a face-down state to a face-up state on the battlefield. Additionally, note that turning it face up is a special action. If your opponent tries to destroy your face-down creature, you can turn it face up in response to their spell, ensuring the land destruction ability triggers before the Plower potentially leaves the battlefield.

Strategic Deployment

The best time to activate Shaleskin Plower is during your opponent's upkeep or end step to deny them specific colors of mana or powerful utility lands. Because it is a 4/2 creature, turning it face up during the declare blockers step can also serve as a combat trick, destroying a land while suddenly presenting a much larger threat than the 2/2 your opponent expected.

Interaction examples

Basic Land Disruption

Solemn Simulacrum

Your opponent plays Solemn Simulacrum to fetch a Basic Mountain. During their next upkeep, you pay the Morph cost of your face-down Shaleskin Plower. It turns face up, and you target that Mountain. The ability resolves, destroying the land and leaving your opponent with one less mana source for their turn.

Doubling the Destruction

Roaming Throne

You control Roaming Throne with 'Beast' chosen as the creature type. When you turn Shaleskin Plower face up, its triggered ability triggers. Because Shaleskin Plower is a Beast, Roaming Throne causes the ability to trigger an additional time. You may now target and destroy two different lands instead of just one.

The Morph Surprise

Morph

Using the Morph reminder card to represent your face-down creature, you pass the turn. Your opponent attacks with a 2/2 creature. Before damage, you pay the Morph cost. Shaleskin Plower becomes a 4/2, its ability triggers to destroy a land, and it now survives combat while destroying the attacking 2/2.