Vein Drinker 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
Flying,
: This creature deals damage equal to its power to target creature. That creature deals damage equal to its power to this creature. Whenever a creature dealt damage by this creature this turn dies, put a +1/+1 counter on this creature.
Complete guide
Vein Drinker is a powerful Vampire that acts as a repeatable removal engine on a flying body. It uses a unique 'fight-like' mechanic to pick off enemies while growing stronger with each kill it claims. Whether you are using it to dominate the skies or clear the board, understanding its timing is key to mastering this Blood-thirsty flyer.
A Deadly Exchange
Vein Drinker features an activated ability that costs one red mana and requires tapping it. When activated, it initiates a duel: Vein Drinker deals damage equal to its power to a target creature, and that creature deals damage equal to its power back to Vein Drinker. Unlike standard combat, this happens during the resolution of the ability, allowing you to use it at any time you could cast an instant, provided you can pay the cost.
Resolution Step by Step
First, you choose a target creature and pay the cost of one red mana and tapping Vein Drinker. Upon resolution, both creatures deal damage to each other simultaneously. If the target is no longer on the battlefield when the ability tries to resolve, the entire ability fails and no damage is dealt to Vein Drinker. However, if Vein Drinker leaves the battlefield before resolution, it still deals damage based on its last known power to the target creature.
Growth Through Destruction
Vein Drinker has a triggered ability that tracks every creature it has damaged during the turn. If a creature dies after being damaged by Vein Drinker—whether by its activated ability, regular combat damage, or any other means—Vein Drinker receives a +1/+1 counter. Note that if Vein Drinker and the target both take lethal damage during the exchange, they die at the same time. The ability will trigger, but since Vein Drinker is already in the graveyard, it cannot receive the counter.
When to Activate
Because this ability requires tapping, you must choose between attacking for 4 flying damage or using the ability to remove a threat. It is often best to wait until your opponent's end step to activate the ability, or use it as a response to an opponent's spell to ensure you get the most value out of your mana and the creature's health.
Interaction examples
Gray Merchant of AsphodelYou control Vein Drinker and your opponent controls Gray Merchant of Asphodel (a 2/4). You pay one red mana and tap Vein Drinker. Vein Drinker deals 4 damage to the Merchant, and the Merchant deals 2 damage to Vein Drinker. The Merchant dies because it has taken damage equal to its toughness. This triggers Vein Drinker's last ability, and it receives a +1/+1 counter, becoming a 5/5 creature.
Syr Konrad, the GrimYou have Syr Konrad, the Grim and Vein Drinker on the battlefield. You use Vein Drinker to kill an opponent's creature. As that creature dies, two things happen: Vein Drinker triggers to get a +1/+1 counter, and Syr Konrad triggers to deal 1 damage to each opponent. If Vein Drinker itself dies during the exchange, Syr Konrad will still trigger for both Vein Drinker and the targeted creature entering the graveyard.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Vein Drinker
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
When the first ability resolves, if the targeted creature is no longer on the battlefield, the ability doesn't resolve for having no legal targets. No damage is dealt.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #2· Wizards of the Coast
When the first ability resolves, if the targeted creature is still on the battlefield but Vein Drinker is not, Vein Drinker will still deal damage equal to its power as it last existed on the battlefield to the targeted creature.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #3· Wizards of the Coast
Each time a creature is put into a graveyard from the battlefield, check whether Vein Drinker had dealt damage to it at any time during that turn. If so, Vein Drinker's third ability will trigger. It doesn't matter whether the damage was combat damage or not. It also doesn't matter who controlled the creature or whose graveyard it was put into.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #4· Wizards of the Coast
If Vein Drinker's first ability causes Vein Drinker and the targeted creature to deal lethal damage to each other, they'll be destroyed at the same time. Vein Drinker's triggered ability will trigger, but it will have been put into a graveyard before it would receive any counters. The ability will do nothing when it resolves.
No other card is named in this ruling.
Legal formats
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Meta decks with Vein Drinker
No archived Top 8 deck with this card yet.