Gev, Scaled Scorch + Woe Strider

Gev, Scaled Scorch

Woe Strider

How it works

1. Activate Woe Strider 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, scrying 1.
5. Repeat.

This clever loop uses Woe Strider as a dependable sacrifice outlet that lets you churn through your library with infinite scry triggers while feeding your death-related synergies. The secret to sustaining this engine lies in Gev, Scaled Scorch, whose passive ability ensures that any creature with persist entering the battlefield receives a +1/+1 counter to immediately neutralize the crippling -1/-1 counter it returns with. Because those opposing counters cancel each other out as a state-based action, the creature can be sacrificed to Woe Strider over and over again to generate an endless cycle of leaves-the-battlefield, entry, and sacrifice events.