Vishgraz, the Doomhive — ruling 1

The bonus Vishgraz receives due to its last ability may cause it to survive combat damage in some cases. For example, if an attacking Vishgraz is blocked by a 3/3 and another creature with toxic 1 is attacking at the same time and is unblocked, Vishgraz with deal 3 damage, receive 3 damage, and get +1/+1 at exactly the same time. The end result is that it will stay alive and be a 4/4 creature with 3 damage marked on it.

Vishgraz, the Doomhive — ruling 2

A player with ten or more poison counters loses the game. This is a state-based action and doesn't use the stack. In other words, it happens immediately and players can't respond to it, just like a player losing the game due to having 0 or less life.

Vishgraz, the Doomhive — ruling 3

Toxic doesn't change the amount of combat damage a creature deals. For example, if a 2/2 creature with toxic 1 deals combat damage to a player, that creature will deal 2 damage. The results of that damage are the player loses 2 life and gets a poison counter.

Vishgraz, the Doomhive — ruling 4

Any other effects of that damage, such as life gain from lifelink, still apply.

Vishgraz, the Doomhive — ruling 5

If a creature with toxic deals combat damage to a creature or planeswalker, or if it deals noncombat damage, toxic has no effect and no player gets poison counters.

Vishgraz, the Doomhive — ruling 6

Damage dealt by a creature with toxic grants the same number of counters regardless of how much damage is dealt. Notably, if a replacement effect modifies the damage in some way (such as that of Gratuitous Violence), the number of counters given remains unchanged.

Vishgraz, the Doomhive — ruling 7

Conversely, replacement effects that apply to the number of counters put on a player can modify the counters placed this way. For example, Vorinclex, Monstrous Raider's last two abilities can apply to counters placed this way.

Vishgraz, the Doomhive — ruling 8

Multiple instances of toxic are cumulative. For example, if a creature has toxic 2 and gains toxic 1 due to another effect, combat damage that creature deals to a player will cause that player to get 3 poison counters.

Vishgraz, the Doomhive : règles, fonctionnement et interactions (MTG)

Vishgraz, the Doomhive 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

Menace, toxic 1 (Players dealt combat damage by this creature also get a poison counter.) When Vishgraz enters, create three 1/1 colorless Phyrexian Mite artifact creature tokens with toxic 1 and "This token can't block." Vishgraz gets +1/+1 for each poison counter your opponents have.

Complete guide

Vishgraz, the Doomhive is a powerhouse from the Phyrexian swarm that rewards you for spreading infection. This legendary Insect not only brings its own army to the battlefield but grows stronger as your opponents succumb to toxic influence.

Commanding the Swarm

Vishgraz, the Doomhive serves as both a finisher and a token generator. When it enters the battlefield, it creates three 1/1 Phyrexian Mite tokens. Each Mite, along with Vishgraz itself, possesses toxic 1, meaning any player they deal combat damage to gains a poison counter in addition to losing life. Importantly, Vishgraz has a static ability that grants it +1/+1 for every poison counter your opponents currently have across the entire table.

How it Resolves

Step 1: Cast Vishgraz, the Doomhive for its mana cost. Step 2: Upon successful entry, its triggered ability goes on the stack to create three Mite tokens. Step 3: Once the tokens are created, Vishgraz's static ability immediately checks the total number of poison counters held by all opponents. Step 4: If an opponent gains a poison counter through combat or other effects, Vishgraz's power and toughness update instantly without using the stack.

Common Mistakes

One common misconception is that toxic replaces damage; it does not. A creature with toxic deals normal damage that results in life loss and then adds poison counters as a separate result. Another mistake involves blocking; remember that the Phyrexian Mite tokens created by Vishgraz specifically state they cannot block. Finally, keep in mind that toxic only functions on combat damage to players; dealing damage to a creature like Solemn Simulacrum will not result in any poison counters being placed.

Strategic Timing

Because Vishgraz scales with poison, it is often best played after you have already established a presence with other toxic creatures. However, its Menace ability makes it difficult to block, often ensuring that it can land the final few poison counters needed to eliminate a player. Since its growth happens at the same time damage is dealt, it can even survive combat trades if another unblocked toxic creature is hitting the same opponent simultaneously.

Interaction examples

Scaling in Combat

Vishgraz, the Doomhive

Phyrexian Mite

If you attack with Vishgraz and two Phyrexian Mite tokens, and all three deal combat damage to an opponent who had zero poison counters, that opponent takes 5 damage and receives 3 poison counters. Vishgraz will immediately become a 6/6 creature as the damage results are applied.

Doubling the Hive

Vishgraz, the Doomhive

Roaming Throne

If you have Roaming Throne on the battlefield with 'Phyrexian' or 'Insect' chosen, Vishgraz, the Doomhive will trigger its enter-the-battlefield ability twice. This results in creating six 1/1 Phyrexian Mite tokens instead of three, quickly filling your board with toxic threats.

The Poison Limit

Vishgraz, the Doomhive

Poison Counter

Vishgraz benefits from every Poison Counter on your opponents. If an opponent reaches ten counters, they lose the game immediately as a state-based action. Vishgraz will lose the +1/+1 bonuses provided by that specific opponent's counters once they leave the game, but usually, this means you have already secured a victory over that player.

Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.

How it works : Vishgraz, the Doomhive

Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall

#1February 4, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
The bonus Vishgraz receives due to its last ability may cause it to survive combat damage in some cases. For example, if an attacking Vishgraz is blocked by a 3/3 and another creature with toxic 1 is attacking at the same time and is unblocked, Vishgraz with deal 3 damage, receive 3 damage, and get +1/+1 at exactly the same time. The end result is that it will stay alive and be a 4/4 creature with 3 damage marked on it.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#2February 4, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
A player with ten or more poison counters loses the game. This is a state-based action and doesn't use the stack. In other words, it happens immediately and players can't respond to it, just like a player losing the game due to having 0 or less life.
Card named in this ruling
Poison Counter
#3February 4, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
Toxic doesn't change the amount of combat damage a creature deals. For example, if a 2/2 creature with toxic 1 deals combat damage to a player, that creature will deal 2 damage. The results of that damage are the player loses 2 life and gets a poison counter.
Card named in this ruling
Poison Counter
#4February 4, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
Any other effects of that damage, such as life gain from lifelink, still apply.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#5February 4, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
If a creature with toxic deals combat damage to a creature or planeswalker, or if it deals noncombat damage, toxic has no effect and no player gets poison counters.
Card named in this ruling
Poison Counter
#6February 4, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
Damage dealt by a creature with toxic grants the same number of counters regardless of how much damage is dealt. Notably, if a replacement effect modifies the damage in some way (such as that of Gratuitous Violence), the number of counters given remains unchanged.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#7February 4, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
Conversely, replacement effects that apply to the number of counters put on a player can modify the counters placed this way. For example, Vorinclex, Monstrous Raider's last two abilities can apply to counters placed this way.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#8February 4, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
Multiple instances of toxic are cumulative. For example, if a creature has toxic 2 and gains toxic 1 due to another effect, combat damage that creature deals to a player will cause that player to get 3 poison counters.
Card named in this ruling
Poison Counter