Soul KissHow it works & interactions with other cards

Empowering the Enchanted

Soul Kiss is an Aura that attaches to a creature and grants its controller an activated ability. For the cost of one black mana and 1 life, the enchanted creature gains +2/+2 until the end of the turn. This is a highly efficient ratio for damage, but it comes with a strict limit: you can only activate this ability up to three times per turn, providing a maximum potential boost of +6/+6.

Step-by-Step Resolution

First, you must cast Soul Kiss and target a creature on the battlefield. Once it resolves and is attached, you can activate the ability by paying the costs. Because the cost includes paying life, you must have at least 1 life to activate it once. The ability goes on the stack and, when it resolves, the creature's power and toughness are increased. You can respond to the first activation by activating it again, provided you have the mana and life to spare.

Managing Your Vitals

The most common mistake with Soul Kiss is miscalculating the total life loss when combined with other black 'draw for life' effects. Since the life payment is a cost, it cannot be prevented or reduced by effects that prevent damage. Additionally, if the enchanted creature leaves the battlefield or Soul Kiss is destroyed, the Aura goes to the graveyard, and you lose access to the pump ability immediately.

When to Strike

Soul Kiss is best used as a finisher or to win a crucial combat trade. Because of the three-use limit, it is most effective on creatures that already have evasion, such as flying or menace, ensuring that the +6/+6 bonus actually reaches your opponent's life total rather than being wasted on a chump blocker.

Interaction examples

The Price of Power

Phyrexian Arena

At the start of your turn, Phyrexian Arena triggers, causing you to draw a card and lose 1 life. During your combat phase, you decide to pump your creature using Soul Kiss three times. In total, you have lost 4 life this turn to maintain card advantage and board presence. This demonstrates how Soul Kiss rapidly accelerates the rate at which a black deck consumes its own health.

A Shapeshifting Blow

Black Market Connections

You use Black Market Connections to 'Hire a Mercenary,' losing 3 life to create a 3/2 Shapeshifter token. You then enchant that token with Soul Kiss. By activating Soul Kiss three times (costing 3 more life and three black mana), your 3/2 token becomes a massive 9/8 creature for the turn. Between the mercenary hire and the kiss, you have spent 6 life to create a sudden, massive threat.