Thrakkus the ButcherHow it works & interactions with other cards

Unpacking the Power Boost

Thrakkus the Butcher features a triggered ability that occurs whenever it is declared as an attacker. When this ability resolves, it calculates the current power of every Dragon you control and gives each of them a bonus of +X/+0, where X is their power at that exact moment. This includes Thrakkus itself, meaning it effectively doubles its own 3 power to 6, before factoring in any other equipment or buffs.

Resolution Step-by-Step

First, you must move to the beginning of the combat phase and declare Thrakkus the Butcher as an attacking creature. This puts its ability on the stack. Next, the game checks for any other triggers or responses from opponents. When the ability finally resolves, the game looks at the power of each Dragon you control. If you have a Dragon with 4 power, it gains +4/+0 until the end of the turn. Note that if the Dragon's power changes later in the turn, the bonus granted by Thrakkus does not change; it is locked in based on the power at the time of resolution.

Strategic Timing and Common Pitfalls

A common mistake is assuming that Thrakkus doubles the power of Dragons that enter the battlefield attacking after the trigger has already resolved. Only Dragons you control on the battlefield at the time the ability resolves will receive the bonus. Additionally, because the bonus is based on the power at resolution, playing pump spells or using equipment before the trigger resolves will result in a much larger total power boost.

Interaction examples

Doubling the Double

Roaming Throne

If you have Roaming Throne on the battlefield with 'Dragon' chosen as its type, Thrakkus the Butcher will trigger twice when it attacks. The first trigger will double Thrakkus's power from 3 to 6 (+3/+0). The second trigger then sees the new power of 6 and adds another +6/+0, resulting in a total power of 12 for Thrakkus.

Non-Dragon Interactions

Solemn Simulacrum

When Thrakkus the Butcher attacks, its ability specifically targets creatures with the Dragon type. If you attack with Solemn Simulacrum alongside Thrakkus, the Golem will not receive a power boost because it does not share the Dragon creature type, even though it is participating in the same combat.

Trample Synergy

Because Thrakkus the Butcher has Trample, doubling its power is exceptionally effective. If it becomes a 6/4 (or higher with other buffs) and is blocked by a 1/1 creature, it will still deal 5 damage to the defending player or planeswalker, making the power boost difficult to mitigate by simply chump-blocking.