Starved RusalkaHow it works & interactions with other cards

What It Does

Starved Rusalka has an activated ability that costs one green mana and the sacrifice of a creature. Each time you pay this cost, you gain 1 life. Because the sacrifice is part of the cost, it happens immediately and cannot be responded to by your opponents.

How It Resolves Step by Step

First, you announce the ability and pay the cost: one green mana and sacrificing one creature (which can be the Starved Rusalka itself). Next, the ability is put onto the stack. Finally, if no one has a counterspell, the ability resolves and you gain 1 life.

Common Mistakes

A common error is trying to sacrifice the same creature to multiple effects. Once you sacrifice a creature to pay for Starved Rusalka's ability, that creature is in the graveyard and is no longer available to be sacrificed for another spell or ability.

When to Play It

This card is best used when your creatures are targeted by spells that would remove them without benefit to you. By sacrificing a creature in response to a removal spell, you ensure you get at least 1 life point out of the exchange.

Interaction examples

Self-Sacrifice for Value

If Starved Rusalka is the only creature you control, you can spend one green mana and sacrifice Starved Rusalka to its own ability to gain 1 life.

Saving Resources from Removal

Birds of Paradise

If your opponent targets Birds of Paradise with a spell, you can tap a forest for green mana and sacrifice Birds of Paradise to Starved Rusalka. The opponent's spell will lose its target, and you gain 1 life.

Using Mana Dorks

Llanowar Elves

You can tap Llanowar Elves to add one green mana to your mana pool. Then, you can use that specific mana to pay for Starved Rusalka's ability, sacrificing the now-tapped Llanowar Elves to gain 1 life.