Wardscale CrocodileHow it works & interactions with other cards

What It Does

Wardscale Crocodile is a 5/3 creature with Hexproof. This keyword is a static ability that creates a one-sided protective shield. While the Crocodile is on the battlefield, your opponents cannot target it with any spells or abilities they control, such as removal spells or equipment stealing effects. However, you can still target it with your own spells, such as Auras or combat tricks.

How Hexproof Resolves

Hexproof works continuously while Wardscale Crocodile is on the battlefield. When an opponent attempts to cast a spell that requires a target, they simply cannot choose the Crocodile as one of those targets. If a spell or ability somehow targets it while it is on the stack (for instance, if it loses Hexproof temporarily), the spell will fail to resolve against the Crocodile if it regains the keyword before resolution.

Common Mistakes

A common misconception is that Hexproof protects against all effects. It only prevents targeting. Spells that do not use the word 'target'—such as board wipes like 'Destroy all creatures' or sacrifice effects—will still affect Wardscale Crocodile. Additionally, Hexproof only functions while the card is a permanent on the battlefield; it does not protect the card while it is a spell on the stack or a card in your graveyard.

When to Play It

Wardscale Crocodile is best utilized when you have ways to buff its power and toughness. Because your opponent cannot easily interact with it, attaching Auras or Equipment to it is much safer than on other creatures. It is an excellent choice for a 'Voltron' style strategy where you invest multiple resources into a single, hard-to-kill attacker.

Interaction examples

Resource Accumulation

Solemn Simulacrum

You have Wardscale Crocodile on the battlefield and cast Solemn Simulacrum. When Solemn Simulacrum enters, its triggered ability goes on the stack. Because this ability targets a land card in your library and not a creature on the battlefield, Wardscale Crocodile's Hexproof doesn't interact with it. You successfully search for a basic land, providing the mana base needed to potentially cast more spells to buff your Crocodile later.

Doubling Crocodile Synergies

Roaming Throne

If you cast Roaming Throne and choose 'Crocodile' as the creature type, the Throne itself gains Ward {2} for protection. While Wardscale Crocodile has a static ability (Hexproof) rather than a triggered ability, any future 'enters the battlefield' or 'whenever this creature attacks' abilities you might grant the Crocodile would trigger twice thanks to Roaming Throne. This creates a battlefield state where your opponent struggles to target either creature due to Hexproof and Ward.