Sin CollectorHow it works & interactions with other cards

Precise Hand Disruption

When Sin Collector enters the battlefield, its triggered ability targets a specific opponent. That player must reveal their entire hand to everyone. You then examine the revealed cards and select exactly one instant or sorcery card to be exiled forever. This effect does not allow the opponent to choose what they lose; the choice is entirely yours based on the available information.

Resolution and Timing

The exile effect happens during the resolution of the enters-the-battlefield trigger. Once you have made your choice of which instant or sorcery to remove, the card is moved to the exile zone immediately. According to official rulings, no player can cast spells or activate abilities between the moment you choose the card and the moment it is exiled. This means if you choose a Lightning Bolt, the opponent cannot cast it in response to your choice to avoid losing it.

Strategy and Common Mistakes

A common mistake is forgetting that Sin Collector only hits instants and sorceries. If your opponent's hand contains only creatures, enchantments, or lands, you still get to see their hand, but no card will be exiled. Additionally, since the ability targets an opponent, you cannot choose a player with Hexproof. Always check the opponent's available mana before committing, as they can cast their instants in response to the trigger being put on the stack, but not after it starts resolving.

When to Play It

Sin Collector is most effective against control or combo decks that rely on specific non-creature spells to win. It is best played early to clear the way for your own threats or to remove a board wipe before your opponent reaches the mana required to cast it. Because it is a creature, it also provides a relevant body for blocking or attacking after its primary job is done.

Interaction examples

Double the Disruption

Roaming Throne

If you control Roaming Throne with 'Human' chosen as the creature type, Sin Collector's ability will trigger an additional time when it enters. You can target the same opponent twice. After the first trigger resolves and you exile a card, the second trigger will resolve, allowing you to see the updated hand and exile a second instant or sorcery card.

Curving Out for Value

Solemn Simulacrum

In a mid-range scenario, you might play Sin Collector on turn three to exile an opponent's removal spell. This clears the way for you to safely play Solemn Simulacrum on turn four. By using Sin Collector first, you ensure that the Solemn Simulacrum enters the battlefield successfully to fetch your land, without being countered or having the board state disrupted by the card you exiled.