Gray Merchant of Asphodel
When this creature enters, each opponent loses X life, where X is your devotion to black. You gain life equal to the life lost this way. (Each {B} in the mana costs of permanents you control counts toward your devotion to black.)
Rulings (6)
Jan 24, 2020 · If you put an Aura on an opponent's permanent, you still control the Aura, and mana symbols in its mana cost count towards your devotion.
Jan 24, 2020 · Colorless and generic mana symbols ({C}, {0}, {1}, {2}, {X}, and so on) in mana costs of permanents you control don't count toward your devotion to any color.
Jan 24, 2020 · If an activated ability or triggered ability has an effect that depends on your devotion to a color, you count the number of mana symbols of that color among the mana costs of permanents you control as the ability resolves. The permanent with that ability will be counted if it's still on the battlefield at that time.
Jan 24, 2020 · Hybrid mana symbols, monocolored hybrid mana symbols, and Phyrexian mana symbols do count toward your devotion to their color(s).
Jan 24, 2020 · Mana symbols in the text boxes of permanents you control don't count toward your devotion to any color.
Mar 19, 2021 · The amount of life you gain is the total amount of life lost, not simply the value of X.
Where it’s played now
Inclusion by archetype · Pauper
| Archetype | Format | Inclusion | Copies | Decks (n) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mono Black Pestilence | Pauper | 50% | 4× | 2 |