Vile RedeemerHow it works & interactions with other cards

What Vile Redeemer Does

Vile Redeemer is a 3/3 Eldrazi with Devoid and Flash. Its primary utility comes from a 'cast trigger' that allows you to pay one colorless mana ({C}) when you cast the spell. If you pay this cost, the game counts how many nontoken creatures you controlled died earlier during that same turn and gives you that many 1/1 Eldrazi Scion tokens.

Resolving the Ability Step by Step

First, you cast Vile Redeemer by paying its mana cost; this puts the spell on the stack and triggers its ability. While the creature spell is still on the stack, the trigger resolves, asking if you would like to pay {C}. If you pay, the game checks the history of the turn for any nontoken creatures that were put into the graveyard from the battlefield while under your control. It then creates the Eldrazi Scion tokens immediately, before the Vile Redeemer creature itself even enters the battlefield.

Common Mistakes

One common error is trying to count creatures that were exiled instead of dying; if a replacement effect like Rest in Peace is active, the creatures never 'die,' so they won't count. Additionally, remember that this is a cast trigger, not an 'enters the battlefield' trigger. If Vile Redeemer is countered, you still get the opportunity to pay {C} and create tokens because the ability is already on the stack.

When to Play It

Because it has Flash, the best time to play Vile Redeemer is usually during your opponent's end step after a combat phase where your creatures were destroyed, or in response to a board wipe. This allows you to replenish your board presence and gain extra mana for your upcoming turn.

Interaction examples

Replacing Your Expedition

Sakura-Tribe Elder

You sacrifice Sakura-Tribe Elder to find a land. Later that same turn, you cast Vile Redeemer and pay {C}. Since the Elder was a nontoken creature that died under your control, you create one Eldrazi Scion token.

Value from Defeat

Solemn Simulacrum

If your opponent destroys your Solemn Simulacrum, you can cast Vile Redeemer with Flash. By paying {C}, you generate an Eldrazi Scion to replace the Golem, maintaining your board presence while already having gained the land and the card draw from the Golem's own abilities.

Generating Mana

Eldrazi Scion

Note that if you sacrifice an Eldrazi Scion token for mana to help pay for Vile Redeemer, that token does NOT count toward the total created. Vile Redeemer only counts 'nontoken' creatures that died.