Skullclamp + Pitiless Plunderer + Stridehangar Automaton + Kaervek, the Spiteful

4-card combo · B

Verdict

Yes — this 4-card loop draws the library in mono-black by converting a 1-toughness creature into an endless Treasure-fueled Skullclamp chain.

Cards required: 4
Cheapest stack total: $16.11
Color identity: B
Popularity: 2 decks
Format: Commander

Buy required cards on TCGplayer

Kaervek, the Spiteful reduces all creatures' toughness by 1, so Stridehangar Automaton's 1/1 Thopter tokens enter at 0 toughness and die immediately to state-based actions. Pitiless Plunderer converts each death into a Treasure that pays the 1 to re-equip Skullclamp, and each equip draws two cards — the loop is entirely self-sustaining once all four pieces are on board.

Recipe

How it works

Prerequisites

You control a creature with toughness equal to 1.

Steps

Activate Skullclamp by paying , attaching it to a creature with toughness equal to 1.
The creature dies as a state-based action due to having 0 or less toughness, triggering Skullclamp and Pitiless Plunderer.
Resolve the Skullclamp trigger, causing you to draw two cards.
Resolve the Pitiless Plunderer trigger, creating a Treasure token and a 1/1 Thopter artifact creature token.
Activate the Treasure by tapping and sacrificing it, adding .
Repeat.

Result

Infinite card draw; Near-infinite ETB; Infinite draw triggers; Near-infinite LTB; Near-infinite death triggers; Near-infinite sacrifice triggers

Variations

Cheaper, tighter, alternate lines

Any repeatable source of 1-toughness creatures can replace Stridehangar Automaton; Bitterblossom's 1/1 Faerie tokens and Ophiomancer's 1/1 Snake tokens both feed the engine once Kaervek is in play. The loop generates near-infinite death triggers but needs a win condition — Syr Konrad, the Grim is the clean closer in black, converting each creature leaving the graveyard into a ping.