Slith Predator is one of those cards players keep asking about. Here is, in plain words, what its official text says, the rulings published by Wizards of the Coast, and the combos players actually run.
Official card text
Trample Whenever this creature deals combat damage to a player, put a +1/+1 counter on it.
Complete guide
Slith Predator is a classic aggressive green creature that demands an answer before it spirals out of control. With the ability to grow larger every time it strikes your opponent, it embodies the relentless nature of the Slith species. Its built-in keywords make it particularly difficult to block effectively in the early game.
What It Does
Slith Predator is a 1/1 creature with Trample and a triggered ability that rewards you for connecting with your opponent. Whenever it deals combat damage to a player, you place a +1/+1 counter on it. Because it has Trample, it can deal damage to a player even if it is blocked, provided its power is greater than the toughness of the creatures blocking it.
How It Resolves Step by Step
First, Slith Predator must be declared as an attacker and successfully deal combat damage to a player during the combat damage step. Once that damage is dealt, its triggered ability goes on the stack. When the ability resolves, you place one +1/+1 counter on Slith Predator. Note that this happens after damage is already dealt, so the counter won't increase the damage dealt during that specific combat phase.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is forgetting that Trample is essential for this card's trigger. If Slith Predator is blocked by a 1/1 creature and you don't have a way to increase its power, it deals all 1 damage to the blocker and 0 to the player, meaning no counter is placed. Additionally, remember that the counter is placed during the 'End of Combat' step, so it won't help Slith Predator survive a trade in the same combat where it earns the counter.
When to Play It
Slith Predator is best played as early as possible to maximize the number of turns it can attack and grow. It thrives in decks that can clear away blockers or provide power buffs, ensuring that even a small amount of damage tramples through to trigger its growth mechanism.
Interaction examples
Llanowar ElvesOn turn one, you play Llanowar Elves. On turn two, you tap both a Forest and the Llanowar Elves to produce two green mana, allowing you to cast Slith Predator a turn early. This gives the Predator an extra turn to attack an undefended board and start accumulating counters.
Birds of ParadiseIf your opponent blocks Slith Predator with a Birds of Paradise, the Predator (at 1/1) must assign all 1 damage to the Bird because of its 1 toughness. No damage carries over to the player, and Slith Predator does not receive a counter. However, if the Predator was already a 2/2, it could deal 1 damage to the Bird and 1 to the player, triggering the counter.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Slith Predator
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
No additional ruling has been published for this card.
Legal formats
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Meta decks with Slith Predator
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