Unctus, Grand MetatectHow it works & interactions with other cards

Dual Support for Blue and Artifact Creatures

Unctus provides two distinct passive benefits. First, it grants every other blue creature you control a triggered ability that lets you loot (draw and discard a card) whenever that creature becomes tapped. Second, it provides a +1/+1 anthem effect to all other artifact creatures. Note that these bonuses apply to other creatures, so Unctus does not buff itself or trigger its own looting ability.

The Transformation Ability

You can pay one blue mana or two life to activate Unctus's activated ability. This makes a target creature you control a blue artifact in addition to its other types and colors until end of turn. Because this ability is restricted to sorcery speed, you must use it during your main phase when the stack is empty. This effectively allows non-blue or non-artifact creatures to gain the relevant bonuses provided by Unctus's static abilities.

Step-by-Step Resolution

When a blue creature you control becomes tapped—whether it is attacking, using an activated ability with a tap cost, or being tapped by an opponent's spell—the looting ability triggers and goes on the stack. When it resolves, you must draw a card first and then discard a card. You cannot choose to skip the discard even if you like your current hand. If multiple creatures become tapped at once, such as during the declare attackers step, each one triggers separately.

Strategic Timing and Common Mistakes

Players often forget that the transformation ability lasts only until the end of the turn. If you want a creature to benefit from the +1/+1 buff during your opponent's turn, you cannot, as the ability is sorcery speed. However, if you turn a creature blue during your turn, it will trigger the loot ability even if it is tapped by an external effect later in that same turn.

Interaction examples

Double Looting with the Throne

Roaming Throne

If you choose 'Phyrexian' or 'Vedalken' as Roaming Throne enters, it will see Unctus as a creature of the chosen type. When another blue creature you control becomes tapped, Unctus's granted ability triggers. Roaming Throne will cause that 'draw, then discard' ability to trigger an additional time, allowing you to loot twice for a single tap.

Enhancing the Sad Robot

Solemn Simulacrum

Solemn Simulacrum is naturally an artifact creature, so it immediately receives +1/+1 from Unctus. While it is not blue, you can activate Unctus's ability to make the Simulacrum blue. Once it is both an artifact and blue, it will be a 3/3 creature that lets you draw and discard a card whenever it attacks and becomes tapped.