Wand of OrcusHow it works & interactions with other cards

A Deadly Presence

Wand of Orcus has two distinct triggered abilities. The first triggers whenever the equipped creature is declared as an attacker or a blocker. When this happens, both the equipped creature and every Zombie you currently control gain deathtouch until the end of the turn. This ensures that even your smallest tokens can trade with the largest threats on the battlefield.

Raising the Horde

The second ability triggers when the equipped creature deals combat damage to a player. You create a number of 2/2 black Zombie creature tokens equal to the amount of damage dealt. Note that this only counts combat damage, so other forms of damage like 'ping' effects will not trigger the token creation.

Strategic Execution

To maximize the Wand, you must successfully connect with your opponent. If the equipped creature is blocked, you won't create tokens, though the deathtouch from the first ability will likely ensure the blocker is destroyed. Timing is key; the deathtouch is granted during the Declare Attackers or Declare Blockers step, well before combat damage is dealt.

Interaction examples

Accelerating the Undead

Wand of OrcusArcane Signet

To get the Wand of Orcus online quickly, use Arcane Signet on turn two. This provides the necessary mana to cast the Wand on turn three and leaves you in a perfect position to equip it and attack by turn four.

Protection and Speed

Wand of OrcusSwiftfoot Boots

By equipping a creature with Swiftfoot Boots first, you grant it haste. This allows you to immediately equip Wand of Orcus and attack the same turn the creature is played, triggering the deathtouch ability for your board and potentially creating Zombies before your opponent can find a removal spell.

Building the Army

Wand of OrcusZombie

If the equipped creature deals 3 combat damage to a player, the Wand triggers and you create three 2/2 Zombie tokens. On your next turn, when the equipped creature attacks again, the first ability will trigger, granting those new Zombie tokens deathtouch for the duration of that combat.