Wasp, Shrinking SaviorHow it works & interactions with other cards

Shrinking the Competition

Wasp, Shrinking Savior features a triggered ability that occurs whenever she attacks. You may choose up to one other target creature to receive -3/-0 until your next turn. Because this effect lasts until your next turn, it provides defensive utility during your opponent's combat phase as well. Importantly, the second part of the ability checks for any creature on the battlefield with power less than 0, not just the target you chose.

The Step-by-Step Resolution

When you declare Wasp, Shrinking Savior as an attacker, her ability goes on the stack. First, you choose your target creature (or choose not to target anything). When the ability resolves, the target creature's power is reduced. Immediately after the reduction, the game checks every creature on the board. For every creature currently sitting at -1 power or lower, you draw one card. If a creature has 0 power, it does not count; it must be a negative value.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

A common mistake is forgetting that Wasp cannot target herself, as the ability specifies 'up to one other target creature.' Additionally, players often assume they only draw cards for the creature Wasp targeted. In reality, if you have other ways to reduce power—or if an opponent's creature naturally has its power reduced below zero by other effects—Wasp will count those as well during the resolution of her trigger.

Strategic Timing

The best time to utilize Wasp is when your opponent relies on low-power utility creatures. By targeting a creature with 2 or less power, you guarantee at least one card draw. It is also effective to use her against high-power threats to minimize incoming damage on the following turn, even if you don't reach the negative power threshold for the extra card.

Interaction examples

Drawing from the Sad Robot

Solemn Simulacrum

You attack with Wasp, Shrinking Savior and target your opponent's Solemn Simulacrum. The Simulacrum has a base power of 2. After Wasp's ability applies the -3/-0 modifier, the Simulacrum's power becomes -1. Because its power is now less than 0, you draw one card from Wasp's effect.

Doubling the Heroics

Roaming Throne

With Roaming Throne on the battlefield naming 'Human,' Wasp, Shrinking Savior's attack ability triggers twice. The first trigger resolves, giving a target creature -3/-0 and allowing you to draw cards for any creatures with negative power. Then, the second trigger resolves. You can target a different creature to make its power negative, or target the same creature again to push it even deeper into negative values, drawing even more cards as the second check occurs.