Squee, Goblin NabobHow it works & interactions with other cards

A Relentless Upkeep Trigger

Squee, Goblin Nabob features a triggered ability that occurs specifically at the beginning of your upkeep. This ability functions only if Squee is already in your graveyard when the upkeep step begins. Because it is a 'may' ability, you choose whether or not to return him to your hand when the ability resolves. If he is in your hand, library, or on the battlefield as the step starts, the ability will not trigger at all.

Step-by-Step Resolution

The process begins at the start of your Upkeep Step. First, the game checks if Squee is in your graveyard; if he is, the ability triggers and is placed on the stack. Second, players receive priority to cast spells or activate abilities. Third, as the ability resolves, you choose whether to move Squee from the graveyard to your hand. Note that you cannot take any actions during your turn, such as discarding him to a cost, before this check occurs.

Common Timing Mistakes

A common error is attempting to discard Squee during the upkeep to immediately get him back. Since the ability triggers at the very start of the upkeep, Squee must already be in the graveyard to trigger. You cannot start your turn, discard him to an effect, and then try to return him in the same upkeep. Furthermore, if Squee leaves the graveyard in response to the trigger (for example, via graveyard hate), the ability will fail to find him and nothing will be returned.

Strategic Value

Squee is best utilized as 'discard fodder.' In formats where you need to discard cards to pay for powerful effects, Squee provides a free card every turn cycle. He is also a reliable creature to cast repeatedly if you have effects that trigger whenever a creature enters the battlefield or if you need a recurring blocker to stall the game.

Interaction examples

Doubling the Return

Roaming Throne

If you control Roaming Throne and have chosen 'Goblin' as its type, Squee's ability will trigger an additional time at the start of your upkeep. While the first resolution will return Squee to your hand, the second trigger will still resolve. However, unless you find a way to discard Squee back into the graveyard in between the two triggers, the second instance of the ability will do nothing as Squee is no longer in the graveyard.

Grinding for Value

Solemn Simulacrum

In a deck featuring both cards, Squee provides the consistent hand size needed to keep hitting land drops or to fuel other spells, while Solemn Simulacrum ensures you have the mana to repeatedly cast Squee if he is needed on the battlefield. If you sacrifice Solemn Simulacrum to a cost that also requires a discard, Squee serves as the perfect card to lose, knowing he will return shortly.