Voracious DragonHow it works & interactions with other cards

Understanding Devour 1

Devour 1 is a static ability that functions as the creature enters the battlefield. You may sacrifice any number of creatures; however, this choice is made exactly as Voracious Dragon is entering, not after it is already on the battlefield. Each creature sacrificed this way grants the Dragon a +1/+1 counter. While you can devour any creature type, the Dragon has a specific appetite for Goblins.

The Goblin Fireball

When Voracious Dragon enters the battlefield, its triggered ability goes on the stack. This ability checks how many Goblins were sacrificed to the Devour ability. It then deals damage to any target equal to twice that number. For example, devouring three Goblins results in 6 damage. The game looks at the characteristics of the sacrificed creatures as they last existed on the battlefield to determine if they were Goblins.

Common Pitfalls

A common mistake is thinking you can sacrifice creatures to the Dragon's ability later in the game; Devour only happens once, right as it enters. Additionally, players often forget that the Dragon can devour non-Goblin creatures to grow larger, even though those sacrifices won't increase the damage dealt by its triggered ability.

When to Cast

Voracious Dragon is best played when you have a wide board of expendable Goblins. Since it is a 'When this creature enters' trigger, you should ensure your targets are chosen carefully, as the damage is locked in based on the sacrifices made during the resolution of the creature spell itself.

Interaction examples

A Mechanical Snack

Solemn Simulacrum

If you sacrifice Solemn Simulacrum to the Devour ability of Voracious Dragon, the Dragon enters with one +1/+1 counter. Because Solemn Simulacrum is a Golem and not a Goblin, the Dragon's enters-the-battlefield trigger will deal 0 damage. However, you will still get to draw a card from the Simulacrum's death trigger.

The Throne's Multiplier

Roaming Throne

If you have Roaming Throne on the battlefield with 'Dragon' chosen as the creature type, and Voracious Dragon enters devouring two Goblins, the Dragon's damage ability will trigger twice. Each trigger will deal 4 damage (twice the number of Goblins devoured) to its target, resulting in 8 total damage spread across one or two targets.

Devouring the Throne

Roaming Throne

If you choose to sacrifice Roaming Throne (with 'Goblin' chosen for its type) to Voracious Dragon's Devour ability, the Dragon checks the Throne's types as it last existed on the battlefield. Since it was a Goblin, it counts toward the damage calculation, meaning the Dragon will deal at least 2 damage from that single sacrifice.