Gev, Scaled Scorch + Altar of Dementia

Gev, Scaled Scorch

Altar of Dementia

How it works

1. Activate Altar of Dementia by sacrificing the creature with persist.
2. The persist ability triggers, returning that creature to the battlefield with a -1/-1 counter on it, as well as a +1/+1 counter due to Gev.
3. The +1/+1 and -1/-1 counters on that creature are removed as a state-based action.
4. Resolve the ability from step 1, milling target player a number of cards equal to the sacrificed creature's power.
5. Repeat.

This clever loop turns the stat-buffing gifts of Gev, Scaled Scorch into a relentless milling engine fueled by Altar of Dementia. Whenever a creature with persist is sacrificed to the Altar, Gev's ability ensures it returns with a compensating +1/+1 counter that instantly cancels out its incoming -1/-1 counter through state-based actions. Because this neutralizes the penalty keeping the creature down, you can continuously feed it back into the Altar of Dementia for an endless cycle of sacrifices, death triggers, and infinite milling.