Wildwood Scourge 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
This creature enters with X +1/+1 counters on it. Whenever one or more +1/+1 counters are put on another non-Hydra creature you control, put a +1/+1 counter on this creature.
Complete guide
Wildwood Scourge is a flexible Hydra that grows alongside your army, scaling throughout the game. Whether you cast it early for a small investment or late for a massive threat, it rewards you every time your other non-Hydra creatures get stronger. This creature is a staple for decks that focus on +1/+1 counter synergies and board presence.
Scaling Power and Growth
Wildwood Scourge has a variable mana cost of {X}{G}, meaning it enters the battlefield with X +1/+1 counters. Once it is on the field, its triggered ability monitors your other non-Hydra creatures. Whenever one or more +1/+1 counters are placed on one of those creatures—either through spells, abilities, or by the creature entering the battlefield with counters—Wildwood Scourge gains exactly one +1/+1 counter for itself.
Step-by-Step Resolution
When a non-Hydra creature you control receives +1/+1 counters, the Scourge's ability triggers and is put onto the stack. When this ability resolves, Wildwood Scourge receives one +1/+1 counter. Note that the number of counters placed on the other creature does not matter; whether your Elf receives one counter or five, Wildwood Scourge only gains one counter per triggering event.
Common Pitfalls
A common mistake is assuming Wildwood Scourge triggers off other Hydras. The ability specifically specifies 'non-Hydra creature,' so two copies of Wildwood Scourge will not trigger each other. Additionally, if multiple creatures receive counters simultaneously (such as from a spell that puts a counter on each creature you control), Wildwood Scourge will trigger once for each of those non-Hydra creatures.
Strategic Timing
It is often best to play Wildwood Scourge before you activate abilities or cast spells that distribute counters. Because it triggers when creatures enter with counters, you can also play it before casting other creatures that naturally have +1/+1 counters to maximize its growth without additional mana investment.
Interaction examples
Llanowar ElvesYou tap Llanowar Elves for {G} and use another forest to cast Wildwood Scourge where X=1. The Hydra enters as a 1/1 creature. Later, if you use a spell to put a +1/+1 counter on Llanowar Elves, Wildwood Scourge's ability triggers, making the Hydra a 2/2.
Birds of ParadiseWith Birds of Paradise on the battlefield, you have access to any color of mana to help pay for the {X} in the Hydra's cost. If you cast Wildwood Scourge for X=2, it enters as a 2/2. If Birds of Paradise later receives two +1/+1 counters from an external effect, Wildwood Scourge will trigger and receive one +1/+1 counter, becoming a 3/3.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Wildwood Scourge
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
Abilities that trigger when counters are put on a creature trigger when a creature enters with counters and when a player puts counters on a creature.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #2· Wizards of the Coast
Wildwood Scourge gets just one +1/+1 counter when its last ability resolves, no matter how many counters were put on the non-Hydra creature.
No other card is named in this ruling.
Popular combos
Real combos played by the community, sorted by popularity.
Wildwood Scourge + Enduring Scalelord
- 1Cast Wildwood Scourge by paying
, causing it to enter with a +1/+1 counter on it. - 2Enduring Scalelord triggers, putting a +1/+1 counter on itself.
- 3Wildwood Scourge triggers, putting a +1/+1 counter on itself.
- 4Repeat from step 2.
Jackal, Genius Geneticist + Wildwood Scourge + Ego Erasure
- 1Cast Wildwood Scourge by paying plus an additional amount of mana equal to Jackal's power minus .
- 2Jackal triggers, copying the Wildwood Scourge spell and putting a +1/+1 counter on Jackal.
- 3Resolve both Wildwood Scourge spells.
- 4Cast Ego Erasure by paying
, targeting yourself. - 5Put a +1/+1 counter on either Wildwood Scourge.
- 6The other Wildwood Scourge triggers, putting a +1/+1 counter on it.
- 7Repeat step 6 infinitely.
Wildwood Scourge + Conspiracy + Croaking Counterpart
- 1Cast Croaking Counterpart by paying , creating a token copy of Wildwood Scourge that is a 1/1 Frog.
- 2Put a +1/+1 counter on either Wildwood Scourge.
- 3The Wildwood Scourge who didn't have the counter put on it triggers, putting a +1/+1 counter on itself.
- 4Repeat step 3.
Legal formats
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Meta decks with Wildwood Scourge
No archived Top 8 deck with this card yet.