The Scorpion God MTG Card


Enables card advantage through consistent draw power when creatures with negative counters die. Instant speed ability of The Scorpion God allows flexible and strategic combat control. Versatile in decks, it offers unique combo potential and remains meta-relevant.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
Rarity
TypeLegendary Creature — God
Power 6
Toughness 5

Text of card

Whenever a creature with a -1/-1 counter on it dies, draw a card. : Put a -1/-1 counter on another target creature. When The Scorpion God dies, return it to its owner's hand at the beginning of the next end step.


Cards like The Scorpion God

The Scorpion God holds its own as an iconic card within the black and red (Rakdos) color pair in MTG. By looking at counterparts like Olivia Voldaren, we can find a framework for comparison. Olivia, like The Scorpion God, has a creature control mechanism, enabling the player to gain control of your opponent’s creatures. The key distinction, however, lies in their effects. The Scorpion God has an edge in causing every creature inflicted with a -1/-1 counter to perish, thereby setting an ongoing threat on the battlefield.

Another nuance is brought in with Erebos, Bleak-Hearted, invoking a card draw mechanism tied to creature death. While it doesn’t dish out -1/-1 counters such as The Scorpion God, it operates on the shared death theme. Erebos, despite its abilities, lacks the invincibility of The Scorpion God, which returns to its owner’s hand at the end step once it dies.

To sum up, The Scorpion God, with its unique blend of destructive counters, creature death, and resilience, holds its ground among similar cards. Its added advantage of card draw upon creature death cements its spot as a unique asset in MTG.

Olivia Voldaren - MTG Card versions
Erebos, Bleak-Hearted - MTG Card versions
Olivia Voldaren - MTG Card versions
Erebos, Bleak-Hearted - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to The Scorpion God by color, type and mana cost

Tor Wauki - MTG Card versions
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Kragma Warcaller - MTG Card versions
Nightfire Giant - MTG Card versions
Kolaghan, the Storm's Fury - MTG Card versions
Grusilda, Monster Masher - MTG Card versions
Garna, the Bloodflame - MTG Card versions
Tor Wauki - MTG Card versions
Boris Devilboon - MTG Card versions
Boltwing Marauder - MTG Card versions
Obosh, the Preypiercer - MTG Card versions
Mishra, Tamer of Mak Fawa - MTG Card versions
Demigod of Revenge - MTG Card versions
Dread Slag - MTG Card versions
Cultbrand Cinder - MTG Card versions
Kulrath Knight - MTG Card versions
Lightning Reaver - MTG Card versions
Monstrous Carabid - MTG Card versions
Spawn of Rix Maadi - MTG Card versions
Rakdos Ragemutt - MTG Card versions
Master of Cruelties - MTG Card versions
Underworld Cerberus - MTG Card versions
Kragma Warcaller - MTG Card versions
Nightfire Giant - MTG Card versions
Kolaghan, the Storm's Fury - MTG Card versions
Grusilda, Monster Masher - MTG Card versions
Garna, the Bloodflame - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using The Scorpion God. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Rakdos MidrangeRakdos Midrange PioneerRakdos MidrangeSat. 9:30 AM U.S. Regional Championship - Dreamhack Atlanta 2023

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Scorpion God allows you to consistently draw more cards whenever a creature with a negative counter dies. This dynamics gives you a steady stream of card advantage to outpace your opponents.

Resource Acceleration: Though The Scorpion God doesn’t inherently accelerate your resources, by controlling the board and limiting your opponents’ creatures using its -1/-1 counters, you’ll find that your resources go further, making each of your cards pack a bigger punch.

Instant Speed: The Scorpion God’s ability to place -1/-1 counters can be used at instant speed. This gives you more flexibility in controlling how combat plays out during opponent’s turns, as enemies succumb before they get a chance to strike.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Scorpion God necessitates the discard of a card as part of its activation requirement. This can prove disadvantageous, especially in scenarios where your hand is sparse and each card is a vital asset.

Specific Mana Cost: The Scorpion God’s mana cost is specific — it requires both black and red mana. This can limit its use to black and red decks or multicolor decks incorporating these colors, restricting its playability in mono-colored decks of different shades.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of five mana, The Scorpion God is on the pricier end of the spectrum. In a fast-paced game, you may find it challenging to readily gather the resources needed to summon The Scorpion God. While its powerful abilities can warrant the cost, there are other options out there that could generate value more efficiently or quicker.


Reasons to Include The Scorpion God in Your Collection

Versatility: With its unique ability to manipulate -1/-1 counters, The Scorpion God brings a lot of flexibility into various deck types. Its ability to stack these counters on any creature makes it versatile and adaptable to many game situations.

Combo Potential: This deity from Amonkhet synergizes well with cards that take advantage of or add to the -1/-1 counters on the battlefield. This opens up numerous combo possibilities for players, amplifying the strategic dimension of your deck.

Meta-Relevance: In the current meta of mid-range and control tactics, The Scorpion God’s consistent damage output and resilience – the card’s return to the hand once it hits the graveyard – ensure it stays relevant and hard to overcome.


How to beat

The Scorpion God card in Magic: The Gathering provides a challenging game as it can deal -1/-1 counters to creatures. Moreover, it also possesses a resilient power that can resurrect it from the graveyard. This makes the card formidable and a problematic entity to deal with.

To overcome The Scorpion God, an innovative approach is required. Consider using mechanic cards to remove the creature or additional removal tools that can handle artefacts and enchantments. Deception cards won’t be effective due to its robust ability to keep returning from the graveyard. Another good strategy is to minimize its impact using counter cards to remove its -1/-1 effect.

Aside from that, card-specific removal tools could also be a good strategy. Cards like ‘Impactful Detention’ that can exile without causing the creature to hit the graveyard could be a feasible option since this will not trigger its return ability.

Dealing with The Scorpion God is challenging but with the correct strategy and card choices, its impact can be diminished by a good deck. It simply takes careful planning and a strategic approach to tackle this powerhouse in Magic: The Gathering.


BurnMana Recommendations

Delving into the dynamic and complex world of MTG often presents the challenge of choosing the right cards for your deck. The Scorpion God offers strategic depth through its potent combination of card draw, resource efficiency, and instant-speed control. Whether you’re refining an existing Rakdos setup or experimenting with new combo possibilities, understanding the nuances of such a multifaceted card is essential. As metas shift and new strategies emerge, become a more formidable player by integrating The Scorpion God into your arsenal. For deeper insights and advanced gameplay tips, continue your MTG journey with us and give yourself the competitive edge.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase The Scorpion God MTG card by a specific set like Amonkhet Invocations and Hour of Devastation, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.

For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.

Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.

Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the The Scorpion God and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The The Scorpion God Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2017-04-28 and 2020-08-13. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12017-04-28Amonkhet InvocationsMP2 542015NormalBorderlessGrzegorz Rutkowski
22017-07-14Hour of DevastationHOU 1462015NormalBlackLius Lasahido
32017-07-15Hour of Devastation PromosPHOU 146s2015NormalBlackLius Lasahido
42020-08-13Amonkhet RemasteredAKR 2602015NormalBlackLius Lasahido

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where The Scorpion God has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering The Scorpion God card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2017-07-14 If a creature with a -1/-1 counter on it dies at the same time as The Scorpion God does, you’ll draw a card. The same is true if The Scorpion God dies with a -1/-1 counter on it.
2017-07-14 If this creature dies but leaves your graveyard before the next end step, it will remain in its new zone.
2017-07-14 The “next end step” refers to the next end step that occurs, not the end step of the next turn. If this creature dies before a turn’s end step (for example, during combat), it will be returned to its owner’s hand at the beginning of that turn’s end step.
2017-07-14 You’ll draw only one card when a creature with more than one -1/-1 counter on it dies.