ThemberchaudHow it works & interactions with other cards

Shattering the Earth

When Themberchaud enters the battlefield, his triggered ability checks the number of Mountains you control. He deals that much damage to every player and every creature that does not have flying. Note that Themberchaud himself is not affected because the ability specifies 'other' creatures. This damage scales throughout the game, becoming more lethal as you play more basic Mountains or nonbasic lands with the Mountain subtype.

Taking to the Skies

Although Themberchaud starts on the ground, he has a unique exert ability when he attacks. If you choose to exert him, he gains flying until the end of the turn, allowing him to soar over blockers. The cost of this maneuver is that he will not untap during your next untap step, meaning he will remain tapped for an extra turn unless you have other ways to untap him.

Strategic Timing

Because Themberchaud's entry damage hits all players, you must be careful not to lower your own life total to zero if you are behind. Additionally, since the damage only hits creatures without flying, it is most effective against ground-based token strategies or aggressive decks that lack aerial defense. Always count your Mountains before casting him to ensure the X value is sufficient to clear the opposing board.

Interaction examples

Clearing the Ground

Etali, Primal Storm

If your opponent controls Etali, Primal Storm and you control seven Mountains, playing Themberchaud will deal 7 damage to Etali, Primal Storm. Since Etali does not have flying, it will be destroyed by the damage, while Themberchaud remains safely on the battlefield.

Exerting for the Win

Ancient Copper Dragon

You attack with Themberchaud and choose to exert him so he gains flying. Your opponent controls an Ancient Copper Dragon. Because both creatures now have flying, the opponent can choose to block Themberchaud with their Dragon. If you had not exerted him, Themberchaud could have been blocked by any non-flying creature instead.

Calculating Mountain Damage

If you control five basic Mountains and two Stomping Grounds (which have the Mountain subtype), Themberchaud's enter-the-battlefield ability will deal 7 damage to each player and each creature without flying. The game checks the number of Mountains you control at the moment the ability resolves.