Subterfuge 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
When this creature enters, target creature gains flying and "Whenever this creature deals combat damage to a player, draw that many cards" until end of turn. Encore(
Complete guide
Subterfuge is a powerful Elemental Incarnation that turns your creatures into elusive, card-drawing threats. Whether you cast it from your hand or utilize its massive Encore ability from the graveyard, it ensures your board remains a constant source of card advantage.
Granting Evasion and Intellect
When Subterfuge enters the battlefield, its triggered ability targets one creature. That creature gains flying and a specific triggered ability: whenever it deals combat damage to a player, you draw cards equal to the amount of damage dealt. Note that this bonus lasts only until the end of the turn, so make sure you are ready to move to combat immediately.
Mastering the Encore
Encore is an activated ability that you can only use as a sorcery while Subterfuge is in your graveyard. As a cost, you pay {7}{U}{U} and exile the card. You then create a token copy of Subterfuge for each opponent you have. These tokens gain haste and must attack the specific opponent they were created for if able. Because these tokens also have the 'enters' ability, they can each target themselves or other creatures to grant flying and the card-drawing trigger.
Common Pitfalls
A common mistake is forgetting that the card-draw trigger is based on the amount of damage dealt, not just the act of dealing damage. If your creature has 5 power, you draw five cards. Additionally, remember that the Encore tokens are sacrificed at the beginning of the next end step. If a token is no longer under your control when that sacrifice trigger resolves, it stays on the battlefield indefinitely.
When to Play Subterfuge
Subterfuge is best used when you already have a high-power creature on the board that lacks evasion. By giving it flying and the draw trigger, you can refill your hand in a single swing. In the late game, using the Encore ability in a multiplayer game can result in a massive influx of cards and damage, potentially ending the game on the spot.
Interaction examples
Subterfuge
Solemn SimulacrumYou cast Subterfuge while Solemn Simulacrum is on the battlefield. Subterfuge's enters-the-battlefield ability triggers, and you target the Simulacrum. The Simulacrum gains flying and the card-draw ability. When it deals 2 combat damage to your opponent, you draw two cards from the Subterfuge trigger. If the Simulacrum dies later, you still get its own death trigger to draw an additional card.
Roaming ThroneWith Roaming Throne on the battlefield naming 'Elemental', you cast Subterfuge. Because Subterfuge is an Elemental, its enters-the-battlefield ability triggers twice. You can target Subterfuge itself with one trigger and the Roaming Throne with the other. Now, both creatures have flying and will draw you cards based on the damage they deal this turn.
CopyIn a three-player game, you activate Subterfuge's Encore ability. You create two token copies (represented by Copy tokens). Each token's enters-the-battlefield ability triggers. Token A targets itself, and Token B targets itself. Both 3/4 Elementals now have flying and haste. They attack your two opponents, and if both connect, you draw a total of six cards before sacrificing the tokens at the end of the turn.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Subterfuge
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
Each token must attack the appropriate player if able.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #2· Wizards of the Coast
If one of the tokens somehow is under another player's control as the delayed triggered ability resolves, you can't sacrifice that token. It remains on the battlefield indefinitely, even if you regain control of it later.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #3· Wizards of the Coast
Opponents who have left the game aren't counted when determining how many tokens to create.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #4· Wizards of the Coast
If an effect stops a token from attacking a specific player, that token can attack any player, planeswalker, or battle, or not attack at all. If the effect stops the token from attacking a specific player unless a cost is paid, you don't have to pay that cost unless you want to attack that player.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #5· Wizards of the Coast
Encore is an activated ability that functions from the graveyard. "Encore [cost]" means "[Cost], Exile this card from your graveyard: For each opponent, create a token that's a copy of this card that attacks that opponent this turn if able. The tokens gain haste. Sacrifice them at the beginning of the next end step. Activate only as a sorcery."
Card named in this ruling
- #6· Wizards of the Coast
If one of the tokens can't attack for any reason (such as being tapped), then it doesn't attack. If there's a cost associated with having it attack, you aren't forced to pay that cost, so it doesn't have to attack in that case either.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #7· Wizards of the Coast
Exiling the card with encore is a cost to activate the encore ability. Once you announce that you're activating it, no player may take actions until you've finished. They can't try to remove the card from your graveyard to stop you from paying the cost.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #8· Wizards of the Coast
The tokens copy only what's on the original card. Effects that modified that creature when it was previously on the battlefield won't be copied.
Card named in this ruling
Popular combos
Real combos played by the community, sorted by popularity.
Subterfuge + Body of Research
- 1Cast Body of Research by paying
, creating a 0/0 Fractal creature token, and then putting a number of +1/+1 counters on it equal to your deck size. - 2Give the Fractal haste.
- 3Cast Subterfuge by paying
. When it enters, it triggers, targeting the Fractal. - 4Deal combat damage to an opponent using the Fractal token.
- 5The Fractal triggers, causing you to draw cards equal to its power.
Related cards and tokens
Legal formats
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Meta decks with Subterfuge
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