The Scorpion GodHow it works & interactions with other cards

Wither and Draw

The Scorpion God features three distinct abilities that work in tandem. First, it has a triggered ability that lets you draw a card whenever any creature (including yours or your opponent's) dies while having at least one -1/-1 counter on it. Second, it has an activated ability for three mana that lets you place a -1/-1 counter on any other target creature. Finally, it possesses a unique 'God' recursion ability: if it dies, it returns to your hand at the start of the next end step.

How the Trigger Resolves

When a creature's toughness reaches 0 due to -1/-1 counters, or if it is destroyed while carrying one, The Scorpion God's ability triggers. The game checks the state of the creature immediately before it left the battlefield; if it had a counter, the draw trigger goes on the stack. Note that if The Scorpion God dies at the same time as other creatures with -1/-1 counters, you still get to draw for each of them. Even if The Scorpion God itself dies while having a -1/-1 counter on it, its own ability will trigger one last time to draw you a card.

Common Pitfalls

A common mistake is assuming you draw multiple cards if a creature has multiple -1/-1 counters; the ability only triggers once per creature, regardless of the number of counters. Additionally, the recursion ability only triggers if The Scorpion God actually hits the graveyard. If it is exiled instead, it will not return to your hand. Also, remember that you cannot use the activated ability to target The Scorpion God itself, as the text specifies 'another target creature'.

When to Play It

Deploy The Scorpion God when you have open mana to immediately threaten the board. It is most effective against decks using small utility creatures, as you can pick them off one by one while replacing the spent mana with card draw. Since it returns to your hand at the end step, it is a great insurance policy against board wipes.

Interaction examples

Double the Value

Solemn Simulacrum

Step 1: You have The Scorpion God and Solemn Simulacrum on the battlefield. Step 2: You activate The Scorpion God, targeting Solemn Simulacrum to put a -1/-1 counter on it. Step 3: Solemn Simulacrum dies (either through combat or further counters). Step 4: Both death triggers go on the stack. You draw one card from Solemn Simulacrum's own ability and a second card from The Scorpion God's ability.

The God of the Throne

Roaming Throne

Step 1: Roaming Throne enters the battlefield, and you choose 'God' as the creature type. Step 2: A creature with a -1/-1 counter dies. Step 3: Because The Scorpion God is a God, Roaming Throne causes its 'draw a card' ability to trigger an additional time. You draw two cards total. Step 4: If The Scorpion God dies, Roaming Throne also causes the 'return to hand' ability to trigger twice, though the second instance will do nothing as the card will already be in your hand.