Viridian ScoutHow it works & interactions with other cards

Understanding the Ability

Viridian Scout features an activated ability that costs two generic mana, one green mana, and the sacrifice of the creature itself. The target must be a creature with flying. Because the sacrifice is part of the cost, the Scout is moved to the graveyard immediately when the ability is put onto the stack, meaning opponents cannot respond by destroying it to prevent the ability from being activated.

Step-by-Step Resolution

First, you pay the mana cost of {2}{G}. Second, you sacrifice Viridian Scout as a cost. Third, you choose a legal target creature with the flying keyword. Once the ability resolves, it deals 2 damage to that target. If the target gains hexproof or loses flying before the ability resolves, the ability will fail to resolve and no damage will be dealt.

Common Pitfalls

A common mistake is trying to target a creature that does not have flying; the ability explicitly requires the target to have the flying keyword. Additionally, players sometimes forget that since the Scout is sacrificed as a cost, it will trigger 'dies' abilities immediately, before the damage is actually dealt to the flyer.

Strategic Timing

You should typically hold the Scout's ability until the combat phase to pick off an attacking flyer or in response to a spell that would otherwise protect the opponent's creature. Since the Scout is an Elf Warrior, it may also benefit from tribal synergies before you decide to sacrifice it.

Interaction examples

Recycling the Scout

Eternal Witness

After you activate Viridian Scout to shoot down a flyer, it sits in your graveyard. You can then cast Eternal Witness to return Viridian Scout from your graveyard to your hand, allowing you to replay it and threaten the skies once more.

Synergistic Deaths

Solemn Simulacrum

If you have an effect that benefits from creatures dying, like the card draw from Solemn Simulacrum, you can coordinate your board state so that sacrificing Viridian Scout contributes to your overall resource advantage while simultaneously clearing a blocker.