Twisted Abomination 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
: Regenerate this creature. (The next time this creature would be destroyed this turn, instead tap it, remove it from combat, and heal all damage on it.) Swampcycling
(
Complete guide
Twisted Abomination is a classic powerhouse that bridges the gap between the early game and the late game. As a resilient Zombie Mutant, it can stick to the board through tough combat, or be traded early to ensure you never miss a land drop. This guide covers how to maximize its cycling ability and keep it alive against your opponent's removal.
Dual Utility: Swampcycling and Survival
Twisted Abomination features two distinct activated abilities. Swampcycling allows you to discard it for two generic mana to find a Swamp card from your library. On the battlefield, its regeneration ability acts as a shield, allowing it to survive 'destroy' effects and lethal combat damage for a single black mana.
Step-by-Step: The Cycling Process
When you activate Swampcycling, you pay {2} and discard the card as the cost. This puts the ability on the stack. Upon resolution, you search your library for a card with the 'Swamp' subtype. This includes basic Swamps and nonbasic lands that have the Swamp type. You reveal the card, put it into your hand, and then shuffle your library. Notably, this replaces the normal 'draw a card' effect of standard cycling.
Understanding Regeneration
Activating the regeneration ability creates a 'shield' that lasts for the duration of the turn. The next time Twisted Abomination would be destroyed, the shield is consumed. Instead of going to the graveyard, the creature remains on the battlefield, becomes tapped, is removed from combat, and has all damage marked on it removed. Remember to activate this before the destruction event occurs, such as during the declare blockers step or in response to a kill spell.
When to Play Twisted Abomination
In the early turns, Twisted Abomination is best used as a land tutor to fix your mana or ensure you hit your fourth or fifth land drop. In the late game, it serves as a difficult-to-kill blocker or attacker. Since it is a Zombie, it also provides significant synergy with effects that care about your graveyard or devotion to black.
Interaction examples
Syr Konrad, the GrimWith Syr Konrad, the Grim on the battlefield, you activate the Swampcycling ability of Twisted Abomination from your hand. You pay {2} and discard the card. Because a creature card was put into your graveyard from a zone other than the battlefield, Syr Konrad's ability triggers, dealing 1 damage to each opponent before you even search for your land.
Gray Merchant of AsphodelIf you have Twisted Abomination on the battlefield and cast Gray Merchant of Asphodel, the Abomination contributes two black pips ({B}{B}) toward your devotion to black. This increases the life drain and gain from the Merchant's enter-the-battlefield trigger.
If Twisted Abomination is blocked by a creature with 5 or more power, you can pay {B} to give it a regeneration shield. When combat damage is dealt, instead of dying, the Abomination stays on the field tapped. If it was already tapped from attacking, it remains tapped, is removed from combat, and all damage is healed.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Twisted Abomination
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
Unlike the normal cycling ability, Swampcycling doesn't allow you to draw a card. Instead, it lets you search your library for a Swamp card. After you find a Swamp card in your library, you reveal it, put it into your hand, then shuffle your library.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #2· Wizards of the Coast
Swampcycling is a form of cycling. Any ability that triggers on a card being cycled also triggers on Swampcycling this card. Any ability that stops a cycling ability from being activated also stops Swampcycling from being activated.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #3· Wizards of the Coast
Swampcycling is an activated ability. Effects that interact with activated abilities (such as Stifle or Rings of Brighthearth) will interact with Swampcycling. Effects that interact with spells (such as Remove Soul or Faerie Tauntings) will not.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #4· Wizards of the Coast
You can choose to find any card with the Swamp land type, including nonbasic lands. You can also choose not to find a card, even if there is a Swamp card in your library.
No other card is named in this ruling.
Legal formats
Commentaires
- Sois le premier à commenter cette carte.
Read next
Meta decks with Twisted Abomination
No archived Top 8 deck with this card yet.