Titan HunterHow it works & interactions with other cards

Punishing Peace

Titan Hunter features an 'intervening if' clause in its triggered ability. At the beginning of every end step, the game checks if any creature has died that turn. If the graveyard has remained empty of new creature arrivals, the ability triggers and goes on the stack. If at least one creature died, the ability does not trigger at all.

Resolution Step-by-Step

When the end step begins, the game checks the condition: 'Did a creature die this turn?'. If no, the ability is placed on the stack targeting the active player. Before it resolves, players have a chance to respond. If a creature dies while the ability is still on the stack (perhaps due to a removal spell), the 'if' condition is re-checked. If a creature has now died, the ability does nothing. If still no creatures have died, the player takes 4 damage.

The Sacrifice Engine

Beyond its triggered ability, Titan Hunter provides a way to ensure its own condition isn't met while keeping you healthy. For one black and one generic mana, you can sacrifice a creature to gain 4 life. Notably, you can sacrifice Titan Hunter itself to this ability. This is a common way to avoid taking damage from your own Titan Hunter if you haven't managed to destroy an opponent's creature.

Strategic Timing

To maximize Titan Hunter, you want to ensure your opponents cannot resolve their end steps peacefully. If you have no way to kill an opponent's creature, you might choose to sacrifice one of your own creatures during your second main phase. This prevents you from taking 4 damage during your own end step, while still gaining life and potentially triggering other death effects.

Interaction examples

The Self-Sustaining Cycle

Solemn Simulacrum

If it is your end step and no creatures have died, Titan Hunter's ability triggers. In response, you pay two mana and sacrifice Solemn Simulacrum. Because a creature has now died this turn, the 'if' clause on Titan Hunter's ability is no longer true when it tries to resolve, so you take no damage. Additionally, you gain 4 life from the Hunter and draw a card from the Simulacrum.

Doubling the Danger

Roaming Throne

With Roaming Throne on the battlefield naming 'Human', Titan Hunter's end-step ability triggers twice if no creatures died. During an opponent's end step, they would face two separate instances of 4 damage. However, if they manage to destroy a creature in response to the first trigger, the second trigger will check the condition, see that a creature died, and fail to deal any damage.