Silvergill PeddlerHow it works & interactions with other cards

Understanding Looting on Tap

The core mechanic of Silvergill Peddler is 'looting'—drawing a card and then discarding a card. This ability triggers any time Silvergill Peddler becomes tapped, whether that is through attacking, using an ability that requires tapping as a cost, or being tapped by an opponent's spell or effect. Note that this is a mandatory trigger; if Silvergill Peddler becomes tapped, you must draw and then discard, even if your hand is already empty or full of cards you want to keep.

The Step-by-Step Resolution

When an action or effect causes Silvergill Peddler to transition from an untapped state to a tapped state, its ability is put onto the stack. First, players have a chance to respond. Once the ability resolves, you draw exactly one card from your library. Immediately after drawing, you must choose one card from your hand and put it into your graveyard. You cannot perform other actions between the draw and the discard.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

A frequent error is forgetting that the ability only triggers when the creature 'becomes' tapped. If Silvergill Peddler is already tapped and an effect tries to tap it again, the ability does not trigger. Additionally, if Silvergill Peddler enters the battlefield tapped, it does not trigger because it never transitioned from untapped to tapped while on the battlefield. Finally, remember that discarding is not optional; you must discard a card even if the card you just drew was the one you needed.

Maximizing Value

To get the most out of Silvergill Peddler, look for ways to tap it outside of the combat phase. While attacking is the most common method, using it as a resource for other spells or abilities allows you to filter your hand during your opponent's turn or before your main phase. Pairing it with effects that care about creature types or triggered abilities can significantly increase your card flow.

Interaction examples

Doubling the Market Value

Roaming Throne

If you have Roaming Throne on the battlefield with 'Merfolk' chosen as the creature type, Silvergill Peddler's ability triggers twice whenever it becomes tapped. You will first draw a card and discard a card, and then you will draw a card and discard a card again. This allows for deep deck filtering in a single turn.

Basic Attacking

When you declare Silvergill Peddler as an attacking creature during your combat phase, it becomes tapped. This puts the 'draw, then discard' ability on the stack. You resolve this looting effect before your opponent even declares blockers, helping you potentially find a combat trick to protect your Merfolk.

Sequencing with Other Triggers

Solemn Simulacrum

If you use an external effect to tap both Silvergill Peddler and Solemn Simulacrum simultaneously, only Silvergill Peddler's ability triggers. Solemn Simulacrum triggers on entering or dying, not on becoming tapped. However, if you discard Solemn Simulacrum to the Peddler's ability, you have successfully moved a card you might want to reanimate into the graveyard while digging for more lands.