Syndic of Tithes 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
Extort (Whenever you cast a spell, you may pay. If you do, each opponent loses 1 life and you gain that much life.)
Complete guide
Syndic of Tithes is a classic representative of the Orzhov Syndicate, utilizing the Extort mechanic to slowly drain the life from your enemies. By paying a small tax whenever you cast a spell, you can tip the life totals in your favor while developing your board.
How Extort Works
Extort is a triggered ability that goes on the stack whenever you cast a spell. For each instance of Extort on permanents you control, you get a separate trigger that allows you to pay either one white or one black mana. If you choose to pay, every opponent loses 1 life, and you gain life equal to the total life lost this way.
The Resolution Process
When you cast a spell, the Extort trigger is placed on the stack above that spell. This means the life drain and gain happen before the original spell actually resolves. Even if your opponent counters your spell, the Extort trigger remains on the stack and will still allow you to pay the mana to drain life.
Timing and Limits
A common mistake is trying to pay multiple mana into a single Extort trigger; however, you can only pay the mana cost once per trigger. You also make the decision to pay only as the ability resolves, not when you first cast the spell. This allows you to see if your opponents have any responses before you commit your mana.
Strategic Implementation
Because Extort triggers on any spell, including low-cost creatures and artifacts, it is most effective in decks that cast multiple spells per turn. It turns late-game mana flooding into a win condition by attaching a 'drain' effect to every card in your hand.
Interaction examples
Ornithopter of ParadiseWith Syndic of Tithes on the battlefield, you cast Ornithopter of Paradise. This triggers Extort. You may tap a land to pay one white or black mana. Each opponent loses 1 life and you gain that much life. Finally, the Ornithopter resolves and enters the battlefield.
Esper SentinelYou have Syndic of Tithes in play and cast Esper Sentinel. The Extort ability triggers. After you resolve the life drain, Esper Sentinel enters the battlefield. Now, if an opponent tries to cast a noncreature spell to remove your Syndic, your Sentinel will trigger, forcing them to pay extra or let you draw a card.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Syndic of Tithes
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
You may pay
a maximum of one time for each extort triggered ability. You decide whether to pay when the ability resolves.No other card is named in this ruling.
- #2· Wizards of the Coast
The amount of life you gain from extort is based on the total amount of life lost, not necessarily the number of opponents you have. For example, if your opponent's life total can't change (perhaps because that player controls Platinum Emperion), you won't gain any life.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #3· Wizards of the Coast
The extort ability doesn't target any player.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #4· Wizards of the Coast
The extort ability resolves before the spell that caused it to trigger. The ability resolves even if that spell is countered.
No other card is named in this ruling.
Legal formats
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Meta decks with Syndic of Tithes
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