Shaman of the PackHow it works & interactions with other cards

What It Does

This creature has a triggered ability that triggers the moment it enters the battlefield. It targets a single opponent, and that opponent will lose life based on the total number of Elves you have under your control.

How It Resolves

Once the ability is put on the stack, you choose a target opponent. The game checks the number of Elves you control only when the ability actually resolves, not when it is first triggered. If Shaman of the Pack is still on the battlefield at that time, it counts itself toward the total.

Common Mistakes

A common error is forgetting that the life loss is calculated upon resolution. If your opponent casts a removal spell in response to the trigger and destroys one of your Elves, that Elf will not be counted when the life loss occurs. Conversely, if you put more Elves onto the battlefield in response, the life loss will increase.

When to Play It

You should aim to play Shaman of the Pack when your board is wide with Elves to maximize the life loss. It is also an excellent target for 'flicker' effects or graveyard recursion to repeatedly drain your opponent's life total.

Interaction examples

Basic Life Loss

If you control no other creatures and cast Shaman of the Pack, its ability triggers. When it resolves, it counts itself as an Elf you control, and the target opponent loses 1 life.

Interaction with Non-Elf Creatures

Solemn Simulacrum

If you have Solemn Simulacrum on the battlefield and cast Shaman of the Pack, the ability will only count Shaman of the Pack. Since Solemn Simulacrum is a Golem and not an Elf, the opponent loses only 1 life.

Sacrificing in Response

Sakura-Tribe Elder

If you control Sakura-Tribe Elder and Shaman of the Pack enters, the trigger goes on the stack. If you sacrifice Sakura-Tribe Elder to find a land before the trigger resolves, it won't be counted because it is no longer on the battlefield and it wasn't an Elf anyway.