(Originally published on 2025-12-28; last reviewed on 2025-12-28; last updated on 2025-12-28)
With each new set release, Wizards of the Coast (WotC) update the Comprehensive Rules (CR) and the Oracle text of any number of cards. These updates include support for new mechanics, error fixes, and improvements to the wording of rules and cards. In the past, WotC regularly published update bulletins which summarized and explained these changes. They stopped this practice in the fall of 2023, and update bulletins now release only sporadically.
In my opinion, this is not a major loss, since there had already been a trend toward simplified bulletins that merely note the introduction of new rules, without commenting on their design, and because fixes for existing errors have become practically nonexistent. As such, a CR diff found on Academy Ruins contains just as much information as I would expect from an official update bulletin these days. The truly interesting parts were the ones that explained why a new rule or a rules change was written the way it was, as they help immensely in understanding the intent behind a rule.
Of course, one can still analyze these updates and draw their own conclusions, with or without an official update bulletin. As a rules enthusiast, I quite enjoy reading through these updates and trying to understand the reasons behind them and what corner cases the new rules cover or don’t cover. If you are also interested in Magic‘s game rules and you miss the old update bulletins, this article may be for you.
Disclaimer: I have no special insight into the inner workings of WotC’s rules team, so any observations are based solely on the published updates and my own knowledge of and experience with Magic’s rules system. While I strive for completeness and correctness, I may have missed some changes; in particular, my process for archiving and comparing Gatherer revisions is still a work in progress. (Then again, WotC often omit minor changes in their own bulletins, so it’s par for the course.)
Note: Most of the time, I will list only the changed parts of a card’s Oracle text, rather than the complete text of the card.
Oracle changes (nonfunctional)
Templating
With the release of Magic: The Gathering Foundations, WotC have started a gigantic update of their card text templating. The general idea is to replace card names used as self-references with phrases like “this creature.” For more information, see Large Templating Change: Reducing Card Name Usage in Rules Text.
In the Magic: The Gathering Foundations update, only cards printed as part of that release received a new wording. Likewise, the Innistrad Remastered release updates only cards printed in that set.
This update applies to: Fiend Hunter, Mausoleum Guard, Slayer of the Wicked, Delver of Secrets, Snapcaster Mage, Bloodline Keeper, Morkrut Banshee, Balefire Dragon, Burning Vengeance, Hanweir Watchkeep, Bane of Hanweir, Kruin Outlaw, Terror of Kruin Pass, Festerhide Boar, Hamlet Captain, Lumberknot, Mayor of Avabruck, Howlpack Alpha, Villagers of Estwald, Howlpack of Estwald, Grimgrin, Corpse-Born, Galvanic Juggernaut, Geistcatcher’s Rig, Traveler’s Amulet, Niblis of the Urn, Tower Geist, Falkenrath Torturer, Gravecrawler, Scorned Villager, Moonscarred Werewolf, Huntmaster of the Fells, Ravager of the Fells, Chalice of Life, Restoration Angel, Mist Raven, Blood Artist, Demonic Taskmaster, Lightning Mauler, Vexing Devil, Zealous Conscripts, Abundant Growth, Craterhoof Behemoth, Angel’s Tomb, Apothecary Geist, Bound by Moonsilver, Dauntless Cathar, Gryff’s Boon, Inspiring Captain, Thraben Inspector, Town Gossipmonger, Incited Rabble, Aberrant Researcher, Drunau Corpse Trawler, Stitched Mangler, Thing in the Ice, Sanitarium Skeleton, Bloodmad Vampire, Geier Reach Bandit, Vildin-Pack Alpha, Village Messenger, Moonrise Intruder, Voldaren Duelist, Duskwatch Recruiter, Krallenhorde Howler, Hinterland Logger, Timber Shredder, Intrepid Provisioner, Pack Guardian, Tireless Tracker, Ulvenwald Mysteries, Altered Ego, Arlinn, Embraced by the Moon, Harvest Hand, Neglected Heirloom, Tamiyo’s Journal, Wild-Field Scarecrow, Westvale Abbey, Drogskol Shieldmate, Faith Unbroken, Gisela, the Broken Blade, Guardian of Pilgrims, Subjugator Angel, Docent of Perfection, Grizzled Angler, Mausoleum Wanderer, Nebelgast Herald, Graf Rats, Haunted Dead, Midnight Scavengers, Chittering Host, Olivia’s Dragoon, Tree of Perdition, Bedlam Reveler, Conduit of Storms, Conduit of Emrakul, Furyblade Vampire, Hanweir Garrison, Hanweir, the Writhing Township, Mirrorwing Dragon, Smoldering Werewolf, Erupting Dreadwolf, Stromkirk Occultist, Thermo-Alchemist, Noose Constrictor, Shrill Howler, Howling Chorus, Bloodhall Priest, Spell Queller, Cryptolith Fragment, Aurora of Emrakul, Lupine Prototype, Soul Separator, Stitcher’s Graft, Hanweir Battlements, Metallic Mimic, Sorin, Imperious Bloodlord, Ambitious Farmhand, Soul-Guide Gryff, Covetous Castaway, Ghostly Castigator, Ecstatic Awakener, Festival Crasher, Seize the Storm, Voldaren Ambusher, Eccentric Farmer, Wrenn and Seven, Fleshtaker, Grizzly Ghoul, Deserted Beach, Haunted Ridge, Overgrown Farmland, Rockfall Vale, Shipwreck Marsh, Voice of the Blessed, Wedding Announcement, Biolume Egg, Biolume Serpent, Cobbled Lancer, Overcharged Amalgam, Soulcipher Board, Cipherbound Spirit, Wretched Throng, Archghoul of Thraben, Desperate Farmer, Edgar’s Awakening, Gluttonous Guest, Restless Bloodseeker, Bloodsoaked Reveler, Voldaren Bloodcaster, Blood Petal Celebrant, Chandra, Dressed to Kill, Honeymoon Hearse, Hungry Ridgewolf, Runebound Wolf, Voldaren Epicure, Bramble Wurm, Cultivator Colossus, Dawnhart Disciple, Moldgraf Millipede, Spore Crawler, Bloodtithe Harvester, Vilespawn Spider, Wandering Mind, Boarded Window, Deathcap Glade, Dreamroot Cascade, Shattered Sanctum, Stormcarved Coast, Sundown Pass, Invasion of Innistrad, and Deluge of the Dead.
Garruk Relentless
By default, legendary cards use a shortened form of their name for self-references. Neither self-reference in Garruk Relentless’s rules text has been changed to the shortened version. (The Aetherdrift update has changed both self-references to the shortened card name.)
When Garruk Relentless has two or fewer loyalty counters on him, transform him.
0: Garruk Relentless deals 3 damage to target creature. That creature deals damage equal to its power to him.
Arlinn, Embraced by the Moon
By default, legendary cards use a shortened form of their name for self-references. For Arlinn, Embraced by the Moon, only the first self-reference has been shortened. The other self-reference still uses the full name and thus deviates from templating guidelines. (The Aetherdrift update has changed that self-reference to the shortened card name.)
−1: Arlinn deals 3 damage to any target. Transform Arlinn, Embraced by the Moon.
Invasion of Innistrad
Invasion of Innistrad‘s self-reference has been changed to “this battle.” Since all other battle cards still use their card name, “this battle” automatically becomes the templating guideline for battle cards. (The Aetherdrift update has changed this guideline to “this [battle type].”)
When this battle enters, target creature an opponent controls gets -13/-13 until end of turn.
Metallic Mimic
In the wake of the Bloomburrow update and its new templating guideline for mentioning the battlefield in rules text, the phrase “the battlefield” had been removed from Metallic Mimic’s rules text.
For the Innistrad Remastered release, “the battlefield” has been reinserted into the text of the last ability. (The Aetherdrift update has removed “the battlefield” once again.)
Old ability text:
Each other creature you control of the chosen type enters with an additional +1/+1 counter on it.
New ability text:
Each other creature you control of the chosen type enters the battlefield with an additional +1/+1 counter on it.
Reminder text
Added reminder text: mill
Reminder text for the mill keyword action has been added to the Oracle text of three cards.
This update applies to: Splinterfright, Aberrant Researcher, and Grizzled Angler.
Old ability text (example):
At the beginning of your upkeep, mill two cards.
New ability text (example):
At the beginning of your upkeep, mill two cards. (Put the top two cards of your library into your graveyard.)
Removed reminder text: flash
Reminder text for the flash keyword ability has been removed from the Oracle text of five cards.
This update applies to: Howlpack Resurgence, Pack Guardian, Drogskol Shieldmate, Nebelgast Herald, and Cathar Commando.
Old ability text:
Flash (You may cast this spell any time you could cast an instant.)
New ability text:
Flash
Terror of Kruin Pass
The reminder text for the menace keyword ability used by Terror of Kruin Pass has been changed slightly; it now matches the current standard wording for cards that grant menace to multiple creatures.
Old ability text:
Werewolves you control have menace. (They can’t be blocked except by two or more creatures.)
New ability text:
Werewolves you control have menace. (A creature with menace can’t be blocked except by two or more creatures.)
Ulrich’s Kindred
Reminder text for the indestructible keyword ability has been added to the Oracle text of Ulrich’s Kindred.
Old ability text:
{3}{G}: Target attacking Wolf or Werewolf gains indestructible until end of turn.
New ability text:
{3}{G}: Target attacking Wolf or Werewolf gains indestructible until end of turn. (Damage and effects that say “destroy” don’t destroy it.)
Uncaged Fury
Reminder text for the double strike keyword ability has been removed from Uncaged Fury’s Oracle text.
Old rules text:
Target creature gets +1/+1 and gains double strike until end of turn. (It deals both first-strike and regular combat damage.)
New rules text:
Target creature gets +1/+1 and gains double strike until end of turn.
Voldaren Duelist
Reminder text for the haste keyword ability has been removed from Voldaren Duelist’s Oracle text.
Old ability text:
Haste (This creature can attack and {T} as soon as it comes under your control.)
New ability text:
Haste
Aim High
Reminder text for the reach keyword ability has been removed from Aim High’s Oracle text.
Old rules text:
Untap target creature. It gets +2/+2 and gains reach until end of turn. (It can block creatures with flying.)
New rules text:
Untap target creature. It gets +2/+2 and gains reach until end of turn.
Scrounged Scythe
Reminder text for the equip keyword ability has been added to Scrounged Scythe’s Oracle text.
Old ability text:
Equip {2}
New ability text:
Equip {2} ({2}: Attach to target creature you control. Equip only as a sorcery.)
Bedlam Reveler
Reminder text for the prowess keyword ability has been added to Bedlam Reveler’s Oracle text.
Old ability text:
Prowess
New ability text:
Prowess (Whenever you cast a noncreature spell, this creature gets +1/+1 until end of turn.)
Duel for Dominance
The reminder text for the fight keyword action used by Duel for Dominance has been changed slightly; it now matches the standard wording for reminder text that covers only the fight action.
Old rules text:
Coven — Choose target creature you control and target creature you don’t control. If you control three or more creatures with different powers, put a +1/+1 counter on the chosen creature you control. Then the chosen creatures fight each other. (They each deal damage equal to their power to the other.)
New rules text:
Coven — Choose target creature you control and target creature you don’t control. If you control three or more creatures with different powers, put a +1/+1 counter on the chosen creature you control. Then the chosen creatures fight each other. (Each deals damage equal to its power to the other.)
Eccentric Farmer
The reminder text for the mill keyword action used by Eccentric Farmer has been changed slightly; it now matches the current standard wording for cards that mill multiple cards.
Old rules text:
When Eccentric Farmer enters, mill three cards, then you may return a land card from your graveyard to your hand. (To mill a card, put the top card of your library into your graveyard.)
New rules text:
When this creature enters, mill three cards, then you may return a land card from your graveyard to your hand. (To mill three cards, put the top three cards of your library into your graveyard.)
Ancestral Anger
Reminder text for the trample keyword ability has been removed from Ancestral Anger’s Oracle text.
Old ability text:
Target creature gains trample and gets +X/+0 until end of turn, where X is 1 plus the number of cards named Ancestral Anger in your graveyard. (A creature with trample can deal excess combat damage to the player or planeswalker it’s attacking.)
New ability text:
Target creature gains trample and gets +X/+0 until end of turn, where X is 1 plus the number of cards named Ancestral Anger in your graveyard.
Blood Petal Celebrant
Reminder text for the first strike keyword ability has been removed from Blood Petal Celebrant’s Oracle text.
Old ability text:
Blood Petal Celebrant has first strike as long as it’s attacking. (It deals combat damage before creatures without first strike.)
New ability text:
This creature has first strike as long as it’s attacking.
Gatherer ruling changes (nonfunctional)
Emrakul, the Promised End
WotC have corrected two rulings on Emrakul, the Promised End’s Gatherer page. The first of these rulings used to incorrectly state that the effect of Emrakul’s ability could reduce the spell’s cost by a maximum of {8}.
Old text:
The card types that could appear in your graveyard are artifact, battle, creature, enchantment, instant, kindred, land, planeswalker, and sorcery. Supertypes (such as legendary and basic) and subtypes (such as Human and Equipment) are not counted. The maximum discount that Emrakul’s own ability can provide is {8}.
New text:
The card types that could appear in your graveyard are artifact, battle, creature, enchantment, instant, kindred, land, planeswalker, and sorcery. Supertypes (such as legendary and basic) and subtypes (such as Human and Equipment) are not counted. The maximum discount that Emrakul’s own ability can provide is {9}.
The other ruling used to state that the extra turn would not be created if the controlled player lost the game while they were controlled; this implied that the extra turn’s creation happened during the controlled turn, which is incorrect.
Old text:
If the targeted player loses the game while you control their turn during a multiplayer game, no extra turn is created.
New text:
If the targeted player loses the game while you control their turn during a multiplayer game, the extra turn never begins.
The wording of three other rulings has been updated and the order of rulings has been changed.
Old text:
Protection from instants means that Emrakul can’t be the target of instant spells or activated or triggered abilities from instant cards, and damage that would be dealt to it by instant spells or cards is prevented. Instant spells may still affect it in other ways; for example, it would still receive the bonus from Borrowed Grace.
Protection abilities only apply while the object with the ability is on the battlefield. Notably, Emrakul may be the target of a spell that targets it while on the stack, such as Convolute.
A “when you cast” triggered ability resolves before the original spell resolves. It resolves even if the original spell is countered, and the original spell resolves even if the triggered ability is countered.
New text:
Protection from instants means that Emrakul can’t be the target of instant spells or activated or triggered abilities from instant cards, and damage that would be dealt to it by instant spells or cards is prevented. Instant spells may still affect it in other ways; for example, it would still receive the bonus from Rally the Peasants.
Protection abilities only apply while the object with the ability is on the battlefield. Notably, Emrakul may be the target of a spell that targets it while on the stack, such as Syncopate.
An ability that triggers when a player casts a spell resolves before the spell that caused it to trigger. It resolves even if that spell is countered or otherwise leaves the stack without resolving.
Akroma, Vision of Ixidor
WotC have corrected a ruling on Akroma, Vision of Ixidor’s Gatherer page. The ruling used to incorrectly describe which partner abilities are accepted by the effect of Akroma’s ability.
Old text:
Akroma’s triggered ability counts any partner ability, such as “partner with” or “choose a background”. If a creature somehow has multiple partner abilities, Akroma’s triggered abililty still just gives it +1/+1 for the partner keyword.
New text:
Akroma’s ability refers only to creatures with partner or “partner with” abilities, not creatures with any other partner variant (such as choose a Background or friends forever).
Chatterfang, Squirrel General
WotC have corrected a ruling on Chatterfang, Squirrel General’s Gatherer page. The ruling used to incorrectly describe the circumstances in which the replacement effect of Chatterfang’s ability applies. The ruling also has become more memorable due to Chatterfang’s name being misspelled in the last sentence.
Old text:
You don’t need to control the spell or ability that creates the tokens, but you do have to be the one creating the tokens for Chatterfang’s ability to apply.
New text:
You don’t need to control the spell or ability that creates the tokens, nor do you have to be the one creating the tokens for Chatterfang’s ability to apply. As long as the tokens are being created under your control, Chatterang’s [sic] replacement effect will apply.
Corrected typo: lifelink
A typo in several rulings on multiple instances of the lifelink keyword ability has been corrected.
This update applies to the Gatherer pages of: Behemoth Sledge, Stonefare Crocodile, Alms Beast, Orzhov Keyrune, Lantern Scout, Grotesque Mutation, Prakhata Pillar-Bug, Aethersphere Harvester, and Prepare // Fight.
Old text (example):
multiple [sic] instances of lifelink on the same creature are redundant. If a creature with multiple instances of lifelink deals damage, its controller still only gains life equal to the damage dealt.
New text (example):
Multiple instances of lifelink on the same creature are redundant. If a creature with multiple instances of lifelink deals damage, its controller still only gains life equal to the damage dealt.
Corrected typo: proliferate
A typo in a standard ruling for the proliferate keyword action has been corrected.
This update applies to the Gatherer pages of: Metastatic Evangel, Proud Pack-Rhino, Dreamtide Whale, and Cayth, Famed Mechanist.
Old text:
hen [sic] you proliferate, you can choose any permanent that has a counter, including ones controlled by opponents. You can choose any player who has a counter, including opponents. You can’t choose cards in any zone other than the battlefield, even if they have counters on them.
New text:
When you proliferate, you can choose any permanent that has a counter, including ones controlled by opponents. You can choose any player who has a counter, including opponents. You can’t choose cards in any zone other than the battlefield, even if they have counters on them.
Aether Rift
A typo in a ruling on Aether Rift’s Gatherer page has been corrected.
Old text:
The card is actually discard, [sic] so anything which triggers on a discard will trigger. Such abilities will wait to go on the stack until after this ability has completely resolved.
New text:
The card is actually discarded, so anything which triggers on a discard will trigger. Such abilities will wait to go on the stack until after this ability has completely resolved.
Dralnu’s Pet
A typo in a ruling on the Gatherer page of Dralnu’s Pet has been corrected.
Old text:
If the [sic] Dralnu’s Pet is kicked, Dralnu’s Pet will have flying from the moment it enters. This will trigger abilities that look for a creature with flying entering.
New text:
If Dralnu’s Pet is kicked, Dralnu’s Pet will have flying from the moment it enters. This will trigger abilities that look for a creature with flying entering.
Krark’s Thumb
A typo in a ruling on the Gatherer page of Krark’s Thumb has been corrected.
Old text:
If an effect tells you to flip more than one coin at once, this replace [sic] each individual coin flip. For example, if an effect tells you to flip two coins, you don’t flip four coins and ignore any two; you flip two coins, flip two coins, and then ignore one flip from each pair of flips. You will know the results of all simultaneous flips before choosing which to ignore.
New text:
If an effect tells you to flip more than one coin at once, this replaces each individual coin flip. For example, if an effect tells you to flip two coins, you don’t flip four coins and ignore any two; you flip two coins, flip two coins, and then ignore one flip from each pair of flips. You will know the results of all simultaneous flips before choosing which to ignore.
Manaplasm
A typo in a ruling on Manaplasm‘s Gatherer page has been corrected.
Old text:
mana [sic] value takes into account only the mana symbols printed in the upper right corner of the card. Manaplasm doesn’t care about additional costs, alternative costs, cost-reduction effects, or what you actually paid to cast the spell.
New text:
Mana value takes into account only the mana symbols printed in the upper right corner of the card. Manaplasm doesn’t care about additional costs, alternative costs, cost-reduction effects, or what you actually paid to cast the spell.
Biogenic Upgrade
A typo in a ruling on Biogenic Upgrade‘s Gatherer page has been corrected.
Old text:
You choose how many targets Biogenic Upgrade has and how the counters are distributed as you cast it. Each target must receive at least one counter. This means, for example, that you can’t target three creatures, assign [sic] them two, one, and zero counters.
New text:
You choose how many targets Biogenic Upgrade has and how the counters are distributed as you cast it. Each target must receive at least one counter. This means, for example, that you can’t target three creatures and assign them two, one, and zero counters.
Bloodtithe Harvester
One ruling has been removed from Bloodtithe Harvester’s Gatherer page. This ruling had probably been intended for Bloodvial Purveyor.
The words “until end of turn” were inadvertently omitted from the printed card. Bloodtithe Harvester’s Oracle text has been updated to include this phrase.
The wording of one ruling has been updated.
Old text:
The value of X is determined as the ability resolves.
New text:
The value of X is determined only once, as Bloodtithe Harvester’s last ability resolves.
Academy Loremaster
Two typos in rulings on Academy Loremaster‘s Gatherer page have been corrected.
Old text:
he [sic] cost increase applies to spells that player casts even if they’re casting them for an alternative cost. If they cast a spell without paying its mana cost, they’ll still have to pay {2}.
bilities [sic] that reduce the cost to cast a spell apply after abilities that raise them. For example, if an opponent chose to draw an additional card as Academy Loremaster’s triggered ability resolved, Argivian Phalanx (a card with mana cost {5}{W} and the ability “This spell costs {1} less to cast for each creature you control.”) will cost them {W} to cast that turn if they have seven or more creatures.
New text:
The cost increase applies to spells that player casts even if they’re casting them for an alternative cost. If they cast a spell without paying its mana cost, they’ll still have to pay {2}.
Abilities that reduce the cost to cast a spell apply after abilities that raise them. For example, if an opponent chose to draw an additional card as Academy Loremaster’s triggered ability resolved, Argivian Phalanx (a card with mana cost {5}{W} and the ability “This spell costs {1} less to cast for each creature you control.”) will cost them {W} to cast that turn if they have seven or more creatures.
Proud Pack-Rhino
A typo in a ruling on Proud Pack-Rhino‘s Gatherer page has been corrected.
Old text:
hield [sic] counters don’t prevent players from sacrificing creatures.
New text:
Shield counters don’t prevent players from sacrificing creatures.
Seven standard rulings for the evolve keyword ability have been removed. Evolve does not appear in Proud Pack-Rhino’s rules text. See also the changes to Propagator Drone’s Gatherer page.
When comparing the stats of the two creatures for evolve, you always compare power to power and toughness to toughness.
Whenever a creature enters the battlefield under your control, check its power and toughness against the power and toughness of the creature with evolve. If neither stat of the new creature is greater, evolve won’t trigger at all.
If evolve triggers, the stat comparison will happen again when the ability tries to resolve. If neither stat of the new creature is greater, the ability will do nothing. If the creature that entered the battlefield leaves the battlefield before evolve tries to resolve, use its last known power and toughness to compare the stats.
If a creature enters the battlefield with +1/+1 counters on it, consider those counters when determining if evolve will trigger. For example, a 1/1 creature that enters the battlefield with two +1/+1 counters on it will cause the evolve ability of a 2/2 creature to trigger.
If multiple creatures enter the battlefield at the same time, evolve may trigger multiple times, although the stat comparison will take place each time one of those abilities tries to resolve. For example, if you control a 2/2 creature with evolve and two 3/3 creatures enter the battlefield, evolve will trigger twice. The first ability will resolve and put a +1/+1 counter on the creature with evolve. When the second ability tries to resolve, neither the power nor the toughness of the new creature is greater than that of the creature with evolve, so that ability does nothing.
When comparing the stats as the evolve ability resolves, it’s possible that the stat that’s greater changes from power to toughness or vice versa. If this happens, the ability will still resolve and you’ll put a +1/+1 counter on the creature with evolve. For example, if you control a 2/2 creature with evolve and a 1/3 creature enters the battlefield under your control, its toughness is greater, so evolve will trigger. In response, the 1/3 creature gets +2/-2. When the evolve trigger tries to resolve, its power is greater. You’ll put a +1/+1 counter on the creature with evolve.
Multiple instances of evolve trigger separately and, similar to above, the stat comparison takes place for each one independently as they try to resolve.
Battlefield Improvisation
A typo in a ruling on Battlefield Improvisation‘s Gatherer page has been corrected.
Old text:
You can’t attach try to attach [sic] an Equipment to the target creature if that Equipment can’t legally be attached to it.
New text:
You can’t try to attach an Equipment to the target creature if that Equipment can’t legally be attached to it.
My Tendrils Run Deep
A typo in a ruling on My Tendrils Run Deep’s Gatherer page has been corrected.
Old text:
he [sic] effect of My Tendrils Run Deep that allows you to play an additional land is cumulative with similar effects. For example, if My Tendrils Run Deep is in your command zone face up and you control Exploration (an enchantment with “You may play an additional land on each of your turns.”), you’ll be able to play three lands during each of your turns.
New text:
The effect of My Tendrils Run Deep that allows you to play an additional land is cumulative with similar effects. For example, if My Tendrils Run Deep is in your command zone face up and you control Exploration (an enchantment with “You may play an additional land on each of your turns.”), you’ll be able to play three lands during each of your turns.
Rules Lawyer
Seven rulings have been added to Rules Lawyer’s Gatherer page. The ruling on Sagas only mentions Sagas with more lore counters than chapter abilities and omits Sagas with an equal number of each.
Sagas you control aren’t sacrificed when they have more lore counters than chapter abilities, even if their final chapter ability isn’t on the stack. Have fun stacking up lore counters! (704.5s)
You won’t choose sector designations for creatures that don’t already have them if a permanent with space sculptor is on the battlefield. If this comes up, it’ll be a true galaxy brain moment. (704.5u)
Battles you control with no defense counters aren’t put into their owners’ graveyards. Given the intrinsic ability of Sieges (310.11b), this is unlikely to come up often. (704.5v)
Battles you control with no player in the game designated as their protector do not get a new protector. In this state, they’ll be impossible to attack. Even Rules Lawyer has weaknesses. (704.5w)
If you control a Siege and you’re also its protector, you’ll continue to be its protector. Good luck attacking it. (704.5x)
Creatures can have as many Roles you control as you want attached to them. The casting director’s job has never been easier. (704.5y)
Planeswalkers with no loyalty counters and battles with no defense counters can still be attacked. Hopefully your opponents think this sounds fun and cool.
The wording of six rulings has been updated. The typo in the ruling on creatures with toughness 0 or less has been corrected; the updated Two-Headed Giant ruling references a nonexistent rule 704.6as; the updated ruling on commander damage references the wrong rule.
Old text:
While you control Rules Lawyer, the following is true, with the exception of not affecting Rules Lawyer itself (Comprehensive Rules references in parentheses):
Auras you control stay on the battlefield if they’re attached to an illegal permanent or if they aren’t attached to a permanent (but should be). They may not do much because there probably won’t be an “enchanted [whatever],” but they’ll stay on the battlefield! (704.5m) Similarly, thanks to an un-documented silver-bordered state-based action no longer applying, your creatures with augment can now survive even if not attached to a host. If this happens, its power and toughness are 0/0. (704.5m)
If you somehow control a creature that’s attached to another permanent, that creature can stay attached. It can attack and block, even if another creature is carrying it. Similarly, if you control a permanent that isn’t an Aura, an Equipment, or a Fortification, it can stay attached to whatever you manage to get it attached to. Strange. (704.5p)
Your Two-Headed Giant team can no longer lose because you have 0 or less life or fifteen or more poison counters. (704.5s and 704.5t)
In Commander, you’re immune to the “commander damage rule” that says you lose if a single commander deals 21 or more combat damage to you. (704.5u)
A creature with toughness 0 or less can still attack and block. It blocks an attacking creature with trample, [sic] treat its toughness as 0 when determining how to assign combat damage.
New text:
While you control Rules Lawyer, the following is true, with the exception of not affecting Rules Lawyer itself (Comprehensive Rules references as of this writing in parentheses; check out all of 704.5 and 704.6 for anything that’s been added, changed, or moved since then):
Auras you control stay on the battlefield if they’re attached to an illegal permanent or if they aren’t attached to a permanent (but should be). They may not do much because there probably won’t be an “enchanted [whatever],” but they’ll stay on the battlefield! (704.5m) Similarly, thanks to an unlisted silver-bordered state-based action no longer applying, your creatures with augment can now survive even if not attached to a host. If this happens, its power and toughness are 0/0. (704.5m)
If you somehow control a battle or creature that’s attached to another permanent, that battle or creature can stay attached. If it’s a creature, it can attack and block, even if another creature is carrying it. Similarly, if you control a permanent that isn’t an Aura, an Equipment, or a Fortification, it can stay attached to whatever you manage to get it attached to. Strange. (704.5p)
Your Two-Headed Giant team can no longer lose because you have 0 or less life or fifteen or more poison counters. (704.6as and 704.6b)
In Commander, you’re immune to the “commander damage rule” that says you lose if a single commander deals 21 or more combat damage to you. (704.6d)
A creature with toughness 0 or less can still attack and block. If it blocks an attacking creature with trample, treat its toughness as 0 when determining how to assign combat damage.
This is a change from previous rulings
A notice that a specific ruling is a change or reversal from previous rulings has been removed from ten Gatherer pages.
The notice on Xantcha, Sleeper Agent’s Gatherer page and notices for “older rulings” (Blanket of Night) and “updated rulings” (Spectral Shift) remain unchanged.
This update applies to the Gatherer pages of: Celestial Dawn, Chance Encounter, Feral Animist, Yew Spirit, Wild Beastmaster, Dragon Throne of Tarkir, Pathbreaker Ibex, Cultivator of Blades, Electrostatic Pummeler, and Overwhelming Splendor.
Old text (example):
If a nonbasic land has an ability that causes it to enter the battlefield tapped, it will lose that ability before it applies. The same is also true of any other abilities that modify how a land enters the battlefield or apply “as” a land enters the battlefield, such as the first ability of Cavern of Souls. This is a change from previous rulings.
New text (example):
If a nonbasic land has an ability that causes it to enter the battlefield tapped, it will lose that ability before it applies. The same is also true of any other abilities that modify how a land enters the battlefield or apply “as” a land enters the battlefield, such as the first ability of Cavern of Souls.
Emerge
Cards with the emerge keyword ability originally printed in the Eldritch Moon set have had the wording of one of their rulings updated.
This update applies to the Gatherer pages of: Abundant Maw, Decimator of the Provinces, Distended Mindbender, Drownyard Behemoth, Elder Deep-Fiend, It of the Horrid Swarm, Lashweed Lurker, Mockery of Nature, Vexing Scuttler, and Wretched Gryff.
Old text:
A “when you cast” triggered ability resolves before the original spell resolves. It resolves even if the original spell is countered, and the original spell resolves even if the triggered ability is countered.
New text:
An ability that triggers when a player casts a spell resolves before the spell that caused it to trigger. It resolves even if that spell is countered or otherwise leaves the stack without resolving.
One ruling has been removed from the Gatherer pages of those cards.
Each card with emerge is colorless and has an emerge cost that includes one or more colors of mana. These cards are still colorless if you pay the emerge cost.
Finally, the old set of nine standard rulings for emerge has been replaced with the current set of eleven rulings. Two of those rulings are new and four rulings have had their wording updated.
New rulings:
Emerge represents two static abilities that function while the spell with emerge is on the stack. “Emerge [cost]” means “You may cast this spell by paying [cost] and sacrificing a creature rather than paying its mana cost” and “If you chose to pay this spell’s emerge cost, its total cost is reduced by an amount of generic mana equal to the sacrificed creature’s mana value.”
If you cast a spell for another cost “rather than paying its mana cost,” such as an emerge cost, you can’t choose to cast it for any other alternative costs. You can, however, pay additional costs, such as kicker costs. If the spell has any mandatory additional costs, those must be paid to cast it.
Old text:
If you sacrifice a creature with {X} in its mana cost, that X is considered to be 0.
A creature’s mana value is determined solely by the mana symbols printed in its upper right corner (unless that creature is the back face of a double-faced card, is a melded permanent, or is copying something else; see below). If the mana cost includes {X}, X is considered to be 0. If it’s a single-faced card with no mana symbols in its upper right corner (because it’s an animated land, for example), its mana value is 0. Ignore any alternative costs or additional costs (such as kicker) that were paid as the creature was cast.
The mana value of a creature spell with emerge isn’t affected by whether its emerge cost is paid. For example, if you cast Elder Deep-Fiend for its emerge cost and sacrifice a creature whose mana value is 3, Elder Deep-Fiend’s mana value remains 8.
The creature chosen to be sacrificed is still on the battlefield up through the time that you activate mana abilities. Its abilities may affect the spell’s cost, be activated to generate mana, and so on. However, if it has an ability that triggers when a spell is cast, it will have been sacrificed before that ability can trigger.
New text:
If you sacrifice a creature with {X} in its mana cost, that X is 0.
A creature’s mana value is determined solely by the mana symbols printed in its upper right corner (unless that creature is the back face of a double-faced card, is a melded permanent, or is copying something else; see below). If the mana cost includes {X}, X is 0. If it’s a single-faced card with no mana symbols in its upper right corner (because it’s an animated land, for example), its mana value is 0. Ignore any alternative costs or additional costs (such as kicker) that were paid as the creature was cast.
The mana value of a creature spell with emerge isn’t affected by whether its emerge cost is paid. For example, if you cast Decimator of the Provinces for its emerge cost and sacrifice a creature whose mana value is 3, Decimator of the Provinces’s mana value remains 10.
The creature chosen to be sacrificed is still on the battlefield as the cost of the emerge spell is determined and as you activate mana abilities to cast the emerge spell. Its abilities may affect the spell’s cost, be activated to generate mana, and so on. However, if it has an ability that triggers when a spell is cast, it will have been sacrificed before that ability can trigger.
Adipose Offspring
The eight old standard rulings for emerge found on Adipose Offspring’s Gatherer page have been removed.
A permanent’s mana value is determined solely by the mana symbols printed in its upper right corner (unless that creature is the back face of a double-faced card, is a melded permanent, or is copying something else; see below). If the mana cost includes {X}, X is considered to be 0. If it’s a single-faced card with no mana symbols in its upper right corner (because it’s an animated land, for example), its mana value is 0. Ignore any alternative costs or additional costs (such as kicker) that were paid as the creature was cast.
Colored mana components of emerge costs can’t be reduced with emerge.
You may sacrifice a creature with a mana value of 0, such as a token creature that’s not a copy of another permanent, to cast a spell for its emerge cost. You’ll just pay the full emerge cost with no reduction.
You may sacrifice a creature with mana value greater than or equal to the emerge cost. If you do, you’ll pay only the colored mana component of the emerge cost.
The mana value of the back face of a transforming double-faced permanent is the mana value of its front face. The mana value of a melded permanent is the sum of the mana values of its front faces.
The mana value of Adipose Offspring isn’t affected by whether its emerge cost is paid. Its mana value is always 4.
The creature chosen to be sacrificed is still on the battlefield up through the time that you activate mana abilities. Its abilities may affect the spell’s cost, be activated to generate mana, and so on. However, if it has an ability that triggers when a spell is cast, it will have been sacrificed before that ability can trigger.
Once you begin to cast a spell with emerge, no player may take actions until you’re done. Notably, opponents can’t try to remove the creature you wish to sacrifice.
Cresting Mosasaurus
On Cresting Mosasaurus’s Gatherer page, the old set of standard rulings has been replaced with the current set of standard rulings. (Two old rulings already had the wording of the current set.)
Herigast, Erupting Nullkite
On Herigast, Erupting Nullkite’s Gatherer page, the old set of standard rulings has been replaced with the current set of standard rulings. As a result, a typo in an existing ruling has been corrected.
Old text:
If you cast a spell for another cost “rather than paying its mana cost”, [sic] such as an emerge cost, you can’t choose to cast it for any other alternative costs. You can, however, pay additional costs, such as kicker costs. If the spell has any mandatory additional costs, those must be paid to cast it.
New text:
If you cast a spell for another cost “rather than paying its mana cost,” such as an emerge cost, you can’t choose to cast it for any other alternative costs. You can, however, pay additional costs, such as kicker costs. If the spell has any mandatory additional costs, those must be paid to cast it.
Twisted Riddlekeeper
The current set of standard rulings has been added to Twisted Riddlekeeper’s Gatherer page.
Emerge represents two static abilities that function while the spell with emerge is on the stack. “Emerge [cost]” means “You may cast this spell by paying [cost] and sacrificing a creature rather than paying its mana cost” and “If you chose to pay this spell’s emerge cost, its total cost is reduced by an amount of generic mana equal to the sacrificed creature’s mana value.”
If you sacrifice a creature with {X} in its mana cost, that X is 0.
A creature’s mana value is determined solely by the mana symbols printed in its upper right corner (unless that creature is the back face of a double-faced card, is a melded permanent, or is copying something else; see below). If the mana cost includes {X}, X is 0. If it’s a single-faced card with no mana symbols in its upper right corner (because it’s an animated land, for example), its mana value is 0. Ignore any alternative costs or additional costs (such as kicker) that were paid as the creature was cast.
Colored mana components of emerge costs can’t be reduced with emerge.
You may sacrifice a creature with a mana value of 0, such as a token creature that’s not a copy of another permanent, to cast a spell for its emerge cost. You’ll just pay the full emerge cost with no reduction.
You may sacrifice a creature with mana value greater than or equal to the emerge cost. If you do, you’ll pay only the colored mana component of the emerge cost.
The mana value of the back face of a double-faced card is the mana value of its front face. The mana value of a melded permanent is the sum of the mana values of its front faces. A creature that’s a copy of either has a mana value of 0.
The mana value of a creature spell with emerge isn’t affected by whether its emerge cost is paid. For example, if you cast Decimator of the Provinces for its emerge cost and sacrifice a creature whose mana value is 3, Decimator of the Provinces’s mana value remains 10.
The creature chosen to be sacrificed is still on the battlefield as the cost of the emerge spell is determined and as you activate mana abilities to cast the emerge spell. Its abilities may affect the spell’s cost, be activated to generate mana, and so on. However, if it has an ability that triggers when a spell is cast, it will have been sacrificed before that ability can trigger.
Once you begin to cast a spell with emerge, no player may take actions until you’re done. Notably, opponents can’t try to remove the creature you wish to sacrifice.
If you cast a spell for another cost “rather than paying its mana cost,” such as an emerge cost, you can’t choose to cast it for any other alternative costs. You can, however, pay additional costs, such as kicker costs. If the spell has any mandatory additional costs, those must be paid to cast it.
Crabomination
Crabomination’s Gatherer page has a variation of the old set of standard rulings, which replaces “creature” with “artifact.” Those rulings remain unchanged.
Boast
The four standard rulings for the boast keyword ability have been added to cards with boast from the Kaldheim set, as well as to Frenzied Raider.
This update applies to the Gatherer pages of: Axgard Braggart, Battershield Warrior, Goldmaw Champion, Usher of the Fallen, Draugr Recruiter, Duskwielder, Eradicator Valkyrie, Varragoth, Bloodsky Sire, Arni Brokenbrow, Dragonkin Berserker, Fearless Liberator, Fearless Pup, Frenzied Raider, Hagi Mob, Tuskeri Firewalker, and Horizon Seeker.
A boast ability can be activated at any point after the creature with that ability has been declared as an attacker. This can be before blockers are declared, after blockers are declared but before combat damage is dealt, during combat after combat damage is dealt, during the postcombat main phase, during the end step, or, in some unusual cases, during the cleanup step.
If it’s not your turn and you gain control of a creature with a boast ability after that creature attacked, you can activate that creature’s boast ability if it hasn’t been activated yet that turn.
If a creature with a boast ability is put onto the battlefield attacking, it was never declared as an attacker. Its boast ability can’t be activated that turn.
If an effect adds additional combat phases to a turn and a creature with a boast ability attacks more than once during that turn, its boast ability can still be activated only once.
Innistrad: Midnight Hunt Mechanics atricle [sic]
A ruling referencing the Innistrad: Midnight Hunt Mechanics atricle has been removed from all Gatherer pages.
This update applies to the Gatherer pages of: Brutal Cathar, Celestus Sanctifier, Gavony Dawnguard, Component Collector, Firmament Sage, Suspicious Stowaway, Baneblade Scoundrel, Curse of Leeches, Graveyard Trespasser, Olivia’s Midnight Ambush, Shady Traveler, Brimstone Vandal, Fangblade Brigand, Harvesttide Infiltrator, Moonrager’s Slash, Obsessive Astronomer, Reckless Stormseeker, Spellrune Painter, Sunstreak Phoenix, Tavern Ruffian, Village Watch, Bird Admirer, Burly Breaker, Hound Tamer, Outland Liberator, Tireless Hauler, Tovolar’s Huntmaster, Arlinn, the Pack’s Hope, Kessig Naturalist, Sunrise Cavalier, Tovolar, Dire Overlord, Vadrik, Astral Archmage, and The Celestus. Except for the pages of Olivia’s Midnight Ambush and Moonrager’s Slash, each page had two instances of this ruling.
For more information about Day and Night and the Daybound and Nightbound abilities, please see the Innistrad: Midnight Hunt Mechanics atricle (https://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/feature/innistrad-midnight-hunt-mechanics-2021-09-02).
Blood tokens
The four standard rulings for Blood tokens have been added to the Gatherer pages of all cards that reference Blood tokens, with the exception of Strefan, Maurer Progenitor.
This update applies to the Gatherer pages of: Sigarda’s Imprisonment, Syphon Essence, Blood Fountain, Bloodcrazed Socialite, Bloodvial Purveyor, Falkenrath Forebear, Gluttonous Guest, Grisly Ritual, Pointed Discussion, Restless Bloodseeker, Bloodsoaked Reveler, Vampire’s Kiss, Voldaren Bloodcaster, Bloodbat Summoner, Wedding Security, Belligerent Guest, Blood Hypnotist, Blood Petal Celebrant, Bloody Betrayal, Falkenrath Celebrants, Lacerate Flesh, Olivia’s Attendants, Sanguine Statuette, Vampires’ Vengeance, Voldaren Epicure, Anje, Maid of Dishonor, Bloodtithe Harvester, Odric, Blood-Cursed, Old Rutstein, Blood Servitor, Ceremonial Knife, Voldaren Estate, Glass-Cast Heart, Kamber, the Plunderer, Arterial Alchemy, Markov Enforcer, Exsanguinator Cavalry, Transmutation Font, Shilgengar, Sire of Famine, Moonstone Eulogist, and Ivora, Insatiable Heir.
If an effect refers to a Blood token, it means any artifact token with the subtype Blood, even if it has gained other subtypes.
You can’t sacrifice a Blood token to pay multiple costs.
Some triggered abilities trigger “whenever you sacrifice a Blood token.” These abilities trigger regardless of why you sacrificed that Blood token.
Some spells that instruct you to create a Blood token require targets. You can’t cast these spells without choosing all required targets, and if all of those targets become illegal targets, the spell won’t resolve and you won’t create any Blood tokens. If some but not all of those targets become illegal, you’ll do as much as possible, including creating Blood tokens.
Unfinity bullet points
Several rulings have been removed from the Gatherer pages of seven cards printed in the Unfinity set. In each case, the card is a modal spell, has a modal ability, or has some other form of bulleted list in its text box. Each bullet point had an accompanying ruling that consisted of that bullet point’s text, minus the first six characters.
This update applies to the Gatherer pages of: Command Performance, Slight Malfunction, Celebr-8000, Draconian Gate-Bot, Bar Entry, Phone a Friend, and An Incident Has Occurred.
Removed rulings (example):
n Attraction. (Put the top card of your Attraction deck onto the battlefield.)
o visit your Attractions.
t {TK}{TK}.
y put a sticker on a nonland permanent you own.
Hermit Druid
One ruling has been added to Hermit Druid’s Gatherer page.
If you reveal all of the cards in your library without revealing any basic land cards, you’ll put all of the revealed cards into your graveyard. (Yes, that’s your whole library. Hopefully you have a plan.)
One ruling has been removed.
You can put the cards from your library into your graveyard in any order.
Soul Warden
Three rulings have been removed from Soul Warden’s Gatherer page.
Does not trigger on a card on the battlefield being changed into a creature.
Two Soul Wardens entering at the same time will each cause the other’s ability to trigger.
The life gain is mandatory.
The wording of one ruling has been updated.
Old text:
The ability will not trigger on itself entering, but it will trigger on any other creature that is put onto the battlefield at the same time.
New text:
If this creature enters at the same time as one or more other creatures, its ability will trigger for each of those other creatures.
Essence Warden
One ruling has been removed from Essence Warden’s Gatherer page.
Does not trigger on a card on the battlefield being changed into a creature.
The wording of one ruling has been updated.
Old text:
The ability will not trigger on itself entering, but it will trigger on any other creature that is put onto the battlefield at the same time.
New text:
If this creature enters at the same time as one or more other creatures, its ability will trigger for each of those other creatures.
Mentor of the Meek
The wording of one of Mentor of the Meek’s rulings has been updated.
Old text:
If one or more static abilities that apply to a creature entering change its power, those abilities are considered when determining whether Mentor of the Meek’s ability triggers. The same is true for replacement effects that apply to it, such as entering with one or more +1/+1 counters or entering as a copy of another creature.
New text:
If a creature enters with +1/+1 counters or a continuous effect such as that of Wedding Festivity will apply to the creature on the battlefield, those effects apply when checking to see if Mentor of the Meek’s ability will trigger.
Cackling Counterpart
The wording of two of Cackling Counterpart’s rulings has been updated and the order of rulings has been changed.
Old text:
If the copied creature is copying something else (for example, if the copied creature is an Evil Twin), then the token enters the battlefield as whatever that creature copied.
Any enters-the-battlefield abilities of the copied creature will trigger when the token enters the battlefield. Any “as [this creature] enters the battlefield” or “[this creature] enters the battlefield with” abilities of the chosen creature will also work.
New text:
If the copied creature is copying something else, then the token enters the battlefield as whatever that creature copied.
Any “enters” triggered ability of the copied creature will trigger when the token enters the battlefield. Any “as [this creature] enters” or “[this creature] enters with” abilities of the chosen creature will also work.
Deranged Assistant
The wording of one of Deranged Assistant’s rulings has been updated.
Old text:
If you activate Deranged Assistant’s ability while casting a spell, you can’t choose to rewind the ability once you see the card that was put into your graveyard.
New text:
Once Deranged Assistant’s ability has been activated, it can’t be reversed for any reason. If you activate it while casting a spell and discover you can’t produce enough mana to pay that spell’s costs, the spell is reversed. The spell returns to whatever zone you were casting it from. You may reverse other mana abilities you activated while casting the spell, but Deranged Assistant’s ability can’t be reversed. You’ll still have any mana the ability produced, and the milled card will still be in your graveyard.
Makeshift Mauler
Two rulings have been removed from Makeshift Mauler’s Gatherer page.
You must exile exactly one creature card from your graveyard to cast this spell; you cannot cast it without exiling a creature card, and you cannot exile additional creature cards.
Players can only respond once this spell has been cast and all its costs have been paid. No one can try to otherwise remove the creature card you exiled in order to prevent you from casting this spell.
Heartless Summoning
The wording of one of Heartless Summoning’s rulings has been updated.
Old text:
The first ability doesn’t reduce any colored mana requirements of the creature spell.
New text:
Heartless Summoning’s first ability can only reduce the generic mana portion of a creature spell’s cost.
Sever the Bloodline
Three rulings have been added to Sever the Bloodline’s Gatherer page. One is redundant and another one is an exact duplicate of an existing ruling.
Sever the Bloodline has only one target. Other creatures with the same name will be exiled even if they have hexproof or protection.
If the target creature is an illegal target by the time Sever the Bloodline tries to resolve, the spell won’t resolve. You won’t exile any creatures at all.
Unless a token is a copy of another permanent or was explicitly given a name by the effect that created it, its name is the subtypes it was given when it was created plus the word “Token.” For example, if an effect creates a 1/1 Soldier creature token, that token is named “Soldier Token.”
Burning Vengeance
One ruling has been removed from Burning Vengeance’s Gatherer page.
Although flashback and retrace are the most common ways to cast a spell from your graveyard, Burning Vengeance will trigger whenever you cast a spell from your graveyard through any means.
Mayor of Avabruck
One ruling has been added to Mayor of Avabruck’s Gatherer page. The page now has the same rulings as the Gatherer page of the card’s back face, Howlpack Alpha.
A creature that is both a Werewolf and a Wolf will only get +1/+1 from Howlpack Alpha’s first ability.
Howlpack Alpha
The wording of one of Howlpack Alpha’s rulings has been updated.
Old text:
A creature that is both a Werewolf and a Wolf will only get +1/+1 from Howlpack Alpha.
New text:
A creature that is both a Werewolf and a Wolf will only get +1/+1 from Howlpack Alpha’s first ability.
Splinterfright
The wording of one of Splinterfright’s rulings has been updated.
Old text:
If Splinterfright’s controller has only one card in their library, they put that card into their graveyard.
New text:
If Splinterfright’s controller has only one card in their library when its triggered ability resolves, they put that card into their graveyard.
Two rulings have been added to Splinterfright’s Gatherer page. They are duplicates of the existing rulings.
The ability that defines Splinterfright’s power and toughness works in all zones, not just the battlefield. If Splinterfright is in your graveyard, it will count itself.
If Splinterfright’s controller has only one card in their library when its triggered ability resolves, they put that card into their graveyard.
Geistcatcher’s Rig
One ruling has been removed from the Gatherer page of Geistcatcher’s Rig. (The Edge of Eternities update has added an updated version of this ruling.)
The target creature with flying is chosen when the ability triggers and goes on the stack. You choose whether or not Geistcatcher’s Rig will deal 4 damage to it when then ability resolves.
Ghoultree
The wording of one of Ghoultree’s rulings has been updated.
Old text:
Although players may respond to Ghoultree once it’s been cast, once it’s announced, they can’t respond before the cost is calculated and paid.
New text:
Once you begin to cast Ghoultree, no player may take actions until you’re done. Notably, opponents can’t try to remove creature cards from your graveyard to change Ghoultree’s cost.
Cathars’ Crusade
One ruling has been removed from the Gatherer page of Cathars’ Crusade. (The Edge of Eternities update has restored this ruling.)
The creature that entered and caused the ability to trigger will also get a +1/+1 counter, provided it’s still on the battlefield when the ability resolves.
Angel’s Tomb
Two rulings have been removed from the Gatherer page of Angel’s Tomb. (The Edge of Eternities update has added updated versions of these rulings.)
If Angel’s Tomb is already a creature when a creature enters the battlefield under your control, its ability will override any effects that set its base power and toughness to specific values, but other changes to its power and toughness (such as the one created by Titanic Growth) will still apply.
Effects setting Angel’s Tomb’s base power and toughness to specific values that begin to apply after Angel’s Tomb has become a creature will override the effect of Angel’s Tomb. For example, if an effect causes a 3/3 Angel’s Tomb to become 0/1, it will remain 0/1 until another effect (such as triggering the ability of Angel’s Tomb a second time or targeting it with Titanic Growth) causes those values to change.
Conjurer’s Closet
Four rulings have been removed from the Gatherer page of Conjurer’s Closet. (The Edge of Eternities update has added updated versions of these rulings.)
Once the exiled creature returns, it’s considered a new object with no relation to the object that it was. Auras attached to the exiled creature will be put into their owners’ graveyards. Equipment attached to the exiled creature will become unattached and remain on the battlefield. Any counters on the exiled creature will cease to exist.
If a token is exiled this way, it will cease to exist and won’t return to the battlefield.
If you gain control of a creature “until end of turn,” you control it during that turn’s end step.
When an effect returns the exiled card “under your control,” you control it indefinitely after that. In a multiplayer game, if a player leaves the game, all cards that player owns leave as well. If you leave the game, any creatures you control from Conjurer’s Closet effect are exiled.
Incited Rabble
The wording of one of Incited Rabble’s rulings has been updated.
Old text:
Incited Rabble’s controller still chooses which player or planeswalker it attacks.
New text:
Incited Rabble’s controller still chooses which player, planeswalker, or battle it attacks.
Compelling Deterrence
The wording of three of Compelling Deterrence’s rulings has been updated.
Old text:
The card returned to its owner’s hand may be the card they discard. If it’s the only card in that player’s hand, it must be discarded.
Compelling Deterrence targets only the nonland permanent. If that permanent becomes an illegal target, Compelling Deterrence doesn’t resolve and that player doesn’t discard a card.
If you target the only Zombie you control with Compelling Deterrence, you won’t discard a card.
New text:
The card returned to its owner’s hand may be the card they discard. If it’s the only card in that player’s hand, it must be discarded if you control a Zombie.
If the target nonland permanent is an illegal target as Compelling Deterrence tries to resolve, it won’t resolve and none of its effects will happen. No player will discard a card.
Compelling Deterrence checks to see if you control a Zombie after the target nonland permanent is returned to its owner’s hand. For example, if you target the only Zombie you control with Compelling Deterrence, you won’t discard a card.
Thing in the Ice
One ruling has been added to Thing in the Ice’s Gatherer page.
An ability that triggers when a player casts a spell resolves before the spell that caused it to trigger. It resolves even if that spell is countered or otherwise leaves the stack without resolving.
The wording of one ruling has been updated.
Old text:
When Thing in the Ice’s triggered ability removes the last counter from it, Awoken Horror’s ability will trigger and resolve before the spell that caused Thing in the Ice’s last ability to trigger.
New text:
When Thing in the Ice’s triggered ability transforms it, Awoken Horror’s ability will trigger and resolve before the spell that caused Thing in the Ice’s last ability to trigger.
Awoken Horror
One ruling has been added to Awoken Horror’s Gatherer page.
When Thing in the Ice’s triggered ability transforms it, Awoken Horror’s ability will trigger and resolve before the spell that caused Thing in the Ice’s last ability to trigger.
Triskaidekaphobia
The wording of one of Triskaidekaphobia’s rulings has been updated.
Old text:
You can choose a mode even if no player will lose the game. Players will still gain or lose life as appropriate.
New text:
You choose one of the modes even if no player will lose the game. Players will still gain or lose life as appropriate.
Geier Reach Bandit
Two rulings have been added to Geier Reach Bandit’s Gatherer page.
If a creature with haste transforms and no longer has haste on the same turn that it comes under your control, such as if you cast a Geier Reach Bandit when you already control a Vildin-Pack Alpha and choose to transform it, it won’t be able to attack that turn.
If you control three Vildin-Pack Alphas and a Werewolf enters the battlefield under your control, you may transform it, transform it again, and transform it a third time.
Vildin-Pack Alpha
The wording of one of Vildin-Pack Alpha’s rulings has been updated.
Old text:
If a creature with haste transforms and no longer has haste on the same turn that it comes under your control, such as if you cast a Geier Reach Bandit when you already control a Vildin-Pack Alpha, it won’t be able to attack that turn.
New text:
If a creature with haste transforms and no longer has haste on the same turn that it comes under your control, such as if you cast a Geier Reach Bandit when you already control a Vildin-Pack Alpha and choose to transform it, it won’t be able to attack that turn.
Aim High
The wording of one of Aim High’s rulings has been updated.
Old text:
Aim High can target a creature that’s already untapped.
New text:
Aim High can target a creature that’s already untapped. It still gets +2/+2 and gains reach until end of turn.
Howlpack Resurgence
One ruling has been added to Howlpack Resurgence’s Gatherer page.
A creature that is both a Werewolf and a Wolf will only get +1/+1 from Howlpack Resurgence’s last ability.
Second Harvest
The wording of two of Second Harvest’s rulings has been updated.
Old text:
Second Harvest copies the original characteristics of each token as stated by the effect that put the token onto the battlefield. It doesn’t copy whether that token is tapped or untapped, whether it has any counters on it or any Auras and Equipment attached to it, or any non-copy effects that have changed its power, toughness, types, color, or so on.
Second Harvest copies all tokens, not only creature tokens. Notably, this includes Clue tokens.
New text:
Second Harvest copies the original characteristics of each token as stated by the effect that created that token. It doesn’t copy whether that token is tapped or untapped, whether it has any counters on it or any Auras and Equipment attached to it, or any non-copy effects that have changed its power, toughness, types, color, or so on.
Second Harvest copies all tokens, not only creature tokens.
Traverse the Ulvenwald
A duplicate ruling has been added to Traverse the Ulvenwald’s Gatherer page.
Some delirium abilities that appear on instants and sorceries use the word “instead.” These spells have an upgraded effect when they resolve if there are four or more card types among cards in your graveyard. They check that number only while they’re resolving and don’t count themselves, since they aren’t in your graveyard yet. You only get the upgraded effect, not both effects.
One ruling has been removed.
In some rare cases, you can have a token or a copy of a spell in your graveyard at the moment that an object’s delirium ability counts the card types among cards in your graveyard, before that token or copy ceases to exist. Because tokens and copies of spells are not cards, even if they are copies of cards, their types will never be counted.
The wording of two rulings has been updated.
Old text:
The card types in Magic are artifact, battle, creature, enchantment, instant, kindred, land, planeswalker, and sorcery. Supertypes (such as legendary and basic) and subtypes (such as Human and Equipment) are not counted.
The number of card types matters, not the number of cards. For example, Wicker Witch (an artifact creature) along with Catalog (an instant) and Chaplain’s Blessing (a sorcery) will enable delirium.
New text:
The card types that could appear in your graveyard are artifact, battle, creature, enchantment, instant, kindred, land, planeswalker, and sorcery. Supertypes (such as legendary and basic) and subtypes (such as Human and Equipment) are not counted.
The number of card types matters, not the number of cards. For example, Epitaph Golem (an artifact creature) along with Memory Deluge (an instant) and Travel Preparations (a sorcery) will enable delirium.
Ulvenwald Mysteries
The wording of one ruling of Ulvenwald Mysteries has been updated.
Old text:
If a nontoken creature dies at the same time as Ulvenwald Mysteries, the first ability triggers.
New text:
If a nontoken creature dies at the same time as Ulvenwald Mysteries leaves the battlefield, the first ability triggers. Similarly, if Ulvenwald Mysteries isn’t a token and has become a creature, it dying will cause its own first ability to trigger.
Altered Ego
The wording of six of Altered Ego’s rulings has been updated.
Old text:
If you copy a double-faced creature, Altered Ego will be a copy of the face that’s up when Altered Ego enters the battlefield. Because Altered Ego is not a double-faced card, it won’t be able to transform. If an effect instructs you to return it to the battlefield transformed when it leaves the battlefield, it won’t return and will remain in its new zone.
If the chosen creature is copying something else (for example, if the chosen creature is another Altered Ego), then your Altered Ego enters the battlefield as whatever the chosen creature copied.
If the chosen creature is a token, Altered Ego copies the original characteristics of that token as stated by the effect that put the token onto the battlefield. Altered Ego isn’t a token.
Any enters-the-battlefield abilities of the copied creature will trigger when Altered Ego enters the battlefield. Any “as [this creature] enters the battlefield” or “[this creature] enters the battlefield with” abilities of the chosen creature will also work.
If Altered Ego somehow enters the battlefield at the same time as another creature, Altered Ego can’t become a copy of that creature. You may choose only a creature that’s already on the battlefield.
You can choose not to copy anything. In that case, Altered Ego enters the battlefield as a 0/0 creature, and is probably put into the graveyard immediately. It won’t have +1/+1 counters placed on it by its ability.
New text:
If you copy a double-faced creature, Altered Ego will be a copy of the face that’s up when Altered Ego enters. Because Altered Ego is not a double-faced card, it won’t be able to transform. If an effect instructs you to return it to the battlefield transformed when it leaves the battlefield, it won’t return and will remain in its new zone.
If the chosen creature is copying something else (for example, if the chosen creature is another Altered Ego), then your Altered Ego enters as whatever the chosen creature copied.
If the chosen creature is a token, Altered Ego copies the original characteristics of that token as stated by the effect that created that token. Altered Ego isn’t a token.
Any “enters” abilities of the copied creature will trigger when Altered Ego enters the battlefield. Any “as [this creature] enters” or “[this creature] enters with” abilities of the chosen creature will also work.
If Altered Ego somehow enters at the same time as another creature, Altered Ego can’t become a copy of that creature. You may choose only a creature that’s already on the battlefield.
You can choose not to copy anything. In that case, Altered Ego enters as a 0/0 creature and is probably put into the graveyard immediately. It won’t have +1/+1 counters placed on it by its ability.
Arlinn Kord
Four rulings have been added to Arlinn Kord’s Gatherer page. One is an exact duplicate of an existing ruling.
You can control two of this permanent, one front-face up and the other back-face up, at the same time.
Arlinn, Embraced by the Moon is not a Werewolf card; that is, she doesn’t have the creature type Werewolf. Spells and abilities that refer to Werewolf cards or Werewolves don’t apply to Arlinn.
The set of creatures affected by the first ability of Arlinn, Embraced by the Moon is determined as the ability resolves. Creatures you begin to control later in the turn won’t get +1/+1 or gain trample.
The emblem grants the activated ability to your creatures. Use the power of the creature as the activated ability resolves to determine how much damage is dealt. If the creature isn’t on the battlefield at that time, use its power as it last existed on the battlefield. Note that this works differently than the fight keyword action, which requires both creatures to be on the battlefield for any damage to be dealt.
Two rulings have been removed.
Arlinn Kord is not a Werewolf card; that is, she doesn’t have the creature type Werewolf. Spells and abilities that refer to Werewolf cards or Werewolves don’t apply to Arlinn.
You can activate the first ability of Arlinn Kord without any targets just to add a loyalty counter to her.
The wording of one ruling has been updated.
Old text:
You can’t activate Arlinn Kord’s second ability and, after she transforms, activate a loyalty ability of Arlinn, Embraced by the Moon during that turn (or vice versa).
New text:
You can’t activate a loyalty ability of Arlinn Kord and later that turn after she transforms activate a loyalty ability of Arlinn, Embraced by the Moon (or vice versa).
Except for the duplicate ruling, this page now has the same rulings as the Gatherer page of the card’s back face, Arlinn, Embraced by the Moon.
Arlinn, Embraced by the Moon
One ruling has been added to Arlinn, Embraced by the Moon’s Gatherer page.
You can control two of this permanent, one front-face up and the other back-face up, at the same time.
The wording of one ruling has been updated.
Old text:
You can’t activate Arlinn Kord’s second ability and, after she transforms, activate a loyalty ability of Arlinn, Embraced by the Moon during that turn (or vice versa).
New text:
You can’t activate a loyalty ability of Arlinn Kord and later that turn after she transforms activate a loyalty ability of Arlinn, Embraced by the Moon (or vice versa).
The Gitrog Monster
The wording of one of The Gitrog Monster’s rulings has been updated.
Old text:
If multiple land cards are put into your graveyard at once, The Gitrog Monster’s last ability triggers only once. This could happen because an effect (such as that of Crawling Sensation’s first ability) put them there from your library at once, or because they were destroyed at the same time (such as two land creatures that were dealt lethal combat damage).
New text:
If multiple land cards are put into your graveyard at once, The Gitrog Monster’s last ability triggers only once. This could happen because an effect put them there from your library at the same time (such as by a mill effect) or because they were destroyed at the same time (such as two land creatures that were dealt lethal combat damage).
Distended Mindbender
In addition to the changes to the rulings for the emerge keyword ability, one ruling has been removed from Distended Mindbender’s Gatherer page.
Distended Mindbender’s last ability triggers after you’ve taken all the actions necessary to cast the spell.
Bruna, the Fading Light
Two rulings have been removed from Bruna, the Fading Light’s Gatherer page.
In a Commander game, your commander may be Bruna, the Fading Light or Gisela, the Broken Blade, and the other may be in your deck. If they meld into Brisela, Voice of Nightmares, Brisela will also be your commander; but if Brisela leaves the battlefield, only the card chosen as your commander at the start of the game may be put into the command zone.
A “when you cast” triggered ability resolves before the original spell resolves. It resolves even if the original spell is countered, and the original spell resolves even if the triggered ability is countered.
Brisela, Voice of Nightmares
Two rulings have been removed from Brisela, Voice of Nightmares’s Gatherer page.
Effects that increase or reduce the cost to cast a spell (such as those of escalate and emerge) don’t affect the spell’s mana value, so they won’t change whether Brisela’s last ability restricts that spell from being cast.
For spells with {X} in their mana costs, use the value chosen for X to determine if the spell’s mana value is 3 or less. For example, your opponent could cast Burn from Within (a spell with mana cost {X}{R}) with X equal to 3, but not with X equal to 2.
Docent of Perfection
Two rulings have been added to Docent of Perfection’s Gatherer page.
When Docent of Perfection transforms into Final Iteration, the instant or sorcery spell that’s on the stack doesn’t cause Final Iteration’s triggered ability to trigger.
All Wizards you control get +2/+1 and have flying, not just those created by Docent of Perfection or Final Iteration.
The wording of one ruling has been updated.
Old text:
Docent of Perfection’s triggered ability resolves before the spell that caused it to trigger.
New text:
An ability that triggers when a player casts a spell resolves before the spell that caused it to trigger. It resolves even if that spell is countered or otherwise leaves the stack without resolving.
Final Iteration
One ruling has been added to Final Iteration’s Gatherer page.
If you control three or more Wizards while you control Docent of Perfection, it won’t transform yet. It only transforms while its triggered ability is resolving after you cast an instant or sorcery spell.
The wording of one ruling has been updated. The page now has the same rulings as the Gatherer page of the card’s front face, Docent of Perfection.
Old text:
Final Iteration’s triggered ability resolves before the spell that caused it to trigger.
New text:
An ability that triggers when a player casts a spell resolves before the spell that caused it to trigger. It resolves even if that spell is countered or otherwise leaves the stack without resolving.
Grizzled Angler
Two rulings have been added to Grizzled Angler’s Gatherer page. The page now has the same rulings as the Gatherer page of the card’s back face, Grisly Anglerfish.
If a creature affected by Grisly Anglerfish’s effect hasn’t been under its controller’s control since the turn began, is tapped, or is affected by a spell or ability that says it can’t attack, then it doesn’t attack. If there’s a cost associated with having that creature attack, its controller isn’t forced to pay that cost, so it doesn’t have to attack in that case either.
Each creature’s controller still chooses the player, planeswalker, or battle it attacks. The creatures that have to attack don’t necessarily have to attack you if there are other options.
Grisly Anglerfish
Two rulings have been added to Grisly Anglerfish’s Gatherer page. The page now has the same rulings as the Gatherer page of the card’s front face, Grizzled Angler.
If you have a colorless creature card in your graveyard while you control Grizzled Angler, it won’t transform yet. It only transforms while its activated ability is resolving.
Each creature’s controller still chooses the player, planeswalker, or battle it attacks. The creatures that have to attack don’t necessarily have to attack you if there are other options.
Nebelgast Herald
The wording of one of Nebelgast Herald’s rulings has been updated.
Old text:
If Nebelgast Herald and another Spirit enter the battlefield at the same time, Nebelgast Herald’s last ability triggers once for each.
New text:
If Nebelgast Herald and another Spirit enter at the same time, Nebelgast Herald’s last ability triggers once for each of them.
Bedlam Reveler
One ruling has been removed from Bedlam Reveler’s Gatherer page.
Prowess is a keyword ability that means “Whenever you cast a noncreature spell, this creature gets +1/+1 until end of turn.”
The wording of three rulings has been updated.
Old text:
To determine the total cost of a spell, start with the mana cost or alternative cost you’re paying, add any cost increases, then apply any cost reductions (such as that of Bedlam Reveler). The mana value of the spell is determined by only its mana cost, no matter what the total cost to cast that spell was.
An ability that triggers when a player casts a spell resolves before the spell that caused it to trigger. It resolves even if that spell is countered.
If you have no cards in hand when Bedlam Reveler enters the battlefield, you just draw three cards.
New text:
To determine the total cost of a spell, start with the mana cost or alternative cost you’re paying, add any cost increases, then apply any cost reductions (such as that of Bedlam Reveler’s first ability). The mana value of the spell is determined by only its mana cost, no matter what the total cost to cast that spell was.
An ability that triggers when a player casts a spell resolves before the spell that caused it to trigger. It resolves even if that spell is countered or otherwise leaves the stack without resolving.
If you have no cards in hand when Bedlam Reveler’s enters ability resolves, you just draw three cards.
Conduit of Storms
The wording of two of Conduit of Storms’s rulings has been updated. The Gatherer page now has the same rulings as the page of the card’s back face, Conduit of Emrakul.
Old text:
You’ll add mana at the beginning of the next main phase whether or not Conduit of Storms is still on the battlefield.
If Conduit of Storms attacks and you transform it into Conduit of Emrakul later in combat, you’ll add {R}, not {C}{C} and not {C}{C}{R}.
New text:
You’ll add mana at the beginning of the next main phase whether or not Conduit of Storms (or Conduit of Emrakul) is still on the battlefield.
If Conduit of Storms attacks and you transform it into Conduit of Emrakul in response, you’ll add {R}, not {C}{C} and not {C}{C}{R}.
Conduit of Emrakul
The wording of two of Conduit of Emrakul’s rulings has been updated. The Gatherer page now has the same rulings as the page of the card’s front face, Conduit of Storms.
Old text:
You’ll add mana at the beginning of the next main phase whether or not Conduit of Emrakul is still on the battlefield.
If Conduit of Storms attacks and you transform it into Conduit of Emrakul later in combat, you’ll add {R}, not {C}{C} and not {C}{C}{R}.
New text:
You’ll add mana at the beginning of the next main phase whether or not Conduit of Storms (or Conduit of Emrakul) is still on the battlefield.
If Conduit of Storms attacks and you transform it into Conduit of Emrakul in response, you’ll add {R}, not {C}{C} and not {C}{C}{R}.
Hanweir Garrison
The wording of three of Hanweir Garrison’s rulings has been updated.
Old text:
You choose which opponent or planeswalker controlled by an opponent each token is attacking as it enters the battlefield. It doesn’t have to be the same opponent or planeswalker that the trigger’s source is attacking, and the tokens don’t both have to attack the same player or planeswalker.
On the turn they enter the battlefield, the tokens are never declared as attacking creatures. They simply enter the battlefield attacking. They won’t cause any abilities that trigger “whenever a creature attacks” to trigger.
If another ability of a source you control triggers when attackers are declared, such as that of Hamlet Captain, you may have it resolve before or after that of Hanweir Garrison. If that ability has targets, it won’t be able to target the tokens.
New text:
You choose which player, planeswalker, or battle each token is attacking as you create the tokens. It doesn’t have to be the same one that Hanweir Garrison (or Hanweir, the Writhing Township) is attacking, and the tokens don’t both have to attack the same player, planeswalker, or battle.
Although the tokens created by the triggered ability are attacking, they were never declared as attacking creatures (for the purposes of abilities that trigger whenever a creature attacks, for example).
If another ability of a source you control triggers when attackers are declared, such as that of Hamlet Captain, you may have it resolve before or after that of Hanweir Garrison (or Hanweir, the Writhing Township). If that ability has targets, it won’t be able to target the tokens.
Hanweir, the Writhing Township
The wording of three of Hanweir, the Writhing Township’s rulings has been updated.
Old text:
You choose which opponent or planeswalker controlled by an opponent each token is attacking as it enters the battlefield. It doesn’t have to be the same opponent or planeswalker that the trigger’s source is attacking, and the tokens don’t both have to attack the same player or planeswalker.
On the turn they enter the battlefield, the tokens are never declared as attacking creatures. They simply enter the battlefield attacking. They won’t cause any abilities that trigger “whenever a creature attacks” to trigger.
If another ability of a source you control triggers when attackers are declared, such as that of Hamlet Captain, you may have it resolve before or after that of Hanweir, the Writhing Township. If that ability has targets, it won’t be able to target the tokens.
New text:
You choose which player, planeswalker, or battle each token is attacking as you create the tokens. It doesn’t have to be the same one that Hanweir Garrison (or Hanweir, the Writhing Township) is attacking, and the tokens don’t both have to attack the same player, planeswalker, or battle.
Although the tokens created by the triggered ability are attacking, they were never declared as attacking creatures (for the purposes of abilities that trigger whenever a creature attacks, for example).
If another ability of a source you control triggers when attackers are declared, such as that of Hamlet Captain, you may have it resolve before or after that of Hanweir Garrison (or Hanweir, the Writhing Township). If that ability has targets, it won’t be able to target the tokens.
Stromkirk Occultist
Six rulings have been removed from Stromkirk Occultist’s Gatherer page.
The card exiled by Stromkirk Occultist’s second ability is exiled face up.
You may play that card that turn even if Stromkirk Occultist is no longer on the battlefield or no longer under your control.
Playing the card exiled with Stromkirk Occultist’s second ability follows the normal rules for playing that card. You must pay its costs, and you must follow all applicable timing rules. For example, if the card is a creature card, you can cast that card by paying its mana cost only during your main phase while the stack is empty.
You may pay alternative and additional costs for that card, such as emerge and escalate costs. If it has any mandatory additional costs, you must pay those.
Unless an effect allows you to play additional lands that turn, you can play a land card exiled with Stromkirk Occultist’s second ability only if you haven’t played a land yet that turn.
If you don’t play the card, it will remain exiled.
Thermo-Alchemist
The wording of one of Thermo-Alchemist’s rulings has been updated.
Old text:
In a Two-Headed Giant game, Thermo-Alchemist’s activated ability causes the opposing team to lose 2 life.
New text:
In a Two-Headed Giant game, Thermo-Alchemist’s activated ability deals 1 damage to each of your opponents, resulting in the opposing team losing 2 life.
Bloodhall Priest
One ruling has been removed from Bloodhall Priest’s Gatherer page.
The triggered ability triggers both when Bloodhall Priest enters the battlefield and whenever it attacks. You don’t have to choose only one.
The wording of one ruling has been updated.
Old text:
If you have a card in hand at the moment the trigger condition occurs, Bloodhall Priest’s ability won’t trigger, even if you can get that card out of your hand right afterward. If you have a card in hand as the ability resolves, it has no effect. No damage will be dealt.
New text:
If you have a card in hand at the moment the trigger condition occurs, Bloodhall Priest’s ability won’t trigger, even if you can get that card out of your hand immediately afterward. If you have a card in hand as the ability resolves, it has no effect. No damage will be dealt.
Gisa and Geralf
One ruling has been removed from Gisa and Geralf’s Gatherer page.
Even though the cards portray the same characters, Gisa and Geralf has a different name than Ghoulcaller Gisa and Stitcher Geralf. Controlling Gisa and Geralf along with Ghoulcaller Gisa or Stitcher Geralf won’t invoke the “legend rule.”
The wording of five rulings has been updated.
Old text:
You must follow the normal timing permissions and restrictions of the Zombie card you cast from your graveyard.
You must pay the costs to cast that Zombie card. If it has an alternative cost, you may cast it for that cost instead.
Once you begin to cast the Zombie card, losing control of Gisa and Geralf won’t affect the spell.
If you cast one Zombie creature card from your graveyard and then have a new Gisa and Geralf come under your control in the same turn, you may cast another Zombie creature card from your graveyard that turn.
If multiple effects allow you to cast a Zombie creature card from your graveyard, such as those of Gisa and Geralf and Karador, Ghost Chieftain, you must announce which permission you’re using as you begin to cast the spell.
New text:
You must follow the normal timing permissions and restrictions of the Zombie spell you cast from your graveyard.
You must pay the costs to cast that Zombie spell. If it has an alternative cost, you may cast it for that cost instead.
Once you begin to cast the Zombie spell, losing control of Gisa and Geralf won’t affect the spell.
If you cast one Zombie creature spell from your graveyard and then have a new Gisa and Geralf come under your control in the same turn, you may cast another Zombie creature spell from your graveyard that turn.
If multiple effects allow you to cast a Zombie creature spell from your graveyard, such as those of Gisa and Geralf and Karador, Ghost Chieftain, you must announce which permission you’re using as you begin to cast the spell.
Spell Queller
The wording of one of Spell Queller’s rulings has been updated.
Old text:
If Spell Queller leaves the battlefield before its enters-the-battlefield triggered ability resolves, its leaves-the-battlefield triggered ability triggers, resolves, and does nothing. Then its first triggered ability resolves and exiles the spell forever.
New text:
If Spell Queller leaves the battlefield before its “enters” ability resolves, its leaves-the-battlefield triggered ability triggers, resolves, and does nothing. Then its first triggered ability resolves and exiles the spell forever.
Tamiyo, Field Researcher
Two rulings have been removed from Tamiyo, Field Researcher’s Gatherer page.
You must follow the normal timing permissions and restrictions of each nonland card you cast once you get Tamiyo’s emblem.
You may still cast nonland cards by paying their mana costs as normal.
The wording of two rulings has been updated.
Old text:
If you cast a card “without paying its mana cost,” you can’t pay any alternative costs such as emerge costs. You can pay additional costs such as escalate costs. If the card has mandatory additional costs, you must pay those.
If the card has {X} in its mana cost, you must choose 0 as the value of X when casting it without paying its mana cost.
New text:
If you cast a spell “without paying its mana cost,” you can’t choose to cast it for any alternative costs. You can, however, pay additional costs. If the spell has any mandatory additional costs, those must be paid to cast the spell.
If a spell has {X} in its mana cost, you must choose 0 as the value of X when casting it without paying its mana cost.
Cryptolith Fragment
One ruling has been added to Cryptolith Fragment’s Gatherer page. The page now has the same rulings as the Gatherer page of the card’s back face, Aurora of Emrakul.
In a Two-Headed Giant game, Aurora of Emrakul’s last ability causes each opponent to lose 3 life, so the opposing team loses a total of 6 life.
Aurora of Emrakul
Four rulings have been added to Aurora of Emrakul’s Gatherer page.
Cryptolith Fragment’s second ability is a mana ability. Players can’t respond to it or to the loss of life it causes.
If any player has 11 or more life as your upkeep begins, Cryptolith Fragment’s last ability doesn’t trigger. If any player has 11 or more life as the ability resolves, the ability has no effect.
In a Two-Headed Giant game, Cryptolith Fragment’s mana ability causes each player to lose 1 life, so each team loses 2 life.
In a Two-Headed Giant game, Cryptolith Fragment’s last ability checks whether each team’s life total is 10 or less.
The wording of one ruling has been updated. The page now has the same rulings as the Gatherer page of the card’s front face, Cryptolith Fragment.
Old text:
In a Two-Headed Giant game, Aurora of Emrakul’s last ability causes each opponent to lose 3 life, so each opposing team loses a total of 6 life.
New text:
In a Two-Headed Giant game, Aurora of Emrakul’s last ability causes each opponent to lose 3 life, so the opposing team loses a total of 6 life.
Soul Separator
The wording of three of Soul Separator’s rulings has been updated.
Old text:
If you copy a double-faced creature card, the Spirit token won’t be able to transform.
Any enters-the-battlefield abilities of the copied creature card will trigger when the Spirit token enters the battlefield. Any “as [this creature] enters the battlefield” or “[this creature] enters the battlefield with” abilities of the creature card will also work.
The Spirit token will be on the battlefield before the Zombie token enters the battlefield.
New text:
If you copy a double-faced creature card with Soul Separator’s ability, the resulting Spirit token will be a double-faced token. The listed exceptions will apply to both the front and back faces of the Spirit token. The Zombie token will not be a double-faced token.
Any “enters” abilities of the copied creature card will trigger when the Spirit token enters. Any “as [this creature] enters” or “[this creature] enters with” abilities of the creature card will also work.
The Spirit token will be on the battlefield before the Zombie token enters.
Arahbo, Roar of the World
The wording of one of Arahbo, Roar of the World’s rulings has been updated.
Old text:
Three eminence abilities are triggered abilities. That creature must be on the battlefield or in the command zone as the trigger event occurs and also as the triggered ability resolves. If the creature is in an appropriate zone as the trigger event occurs but leaves that zone, the ability won’t do anything as it resolves.
New text:
This commander’s eminence ability is a triggered ability. The commander must be on the battlefield or in the command zone as the trigger event occurs and also as the triggered ability resolves. If the commander is in an appropriate zone as the trigger event occurs but leaves that zone, the ability won’t do anything as it resolves.
Edgar Markov
One ruling has been removed from Edgar Markov’s Gatherer page.
Edgar Markov’s last ability puts a +1/+1 counter on each Vampire you control, including itself and Vampires you control that aren’t attacking.
The wording of two rulings has been updated.
Old text:
Three eminence abilities are triggered abilities. That creature must be on the battlefield or in the command zone as the trigger event occurs and also as the triggered ability resolves. If the creature is in an appropriate zone as the trigger event occurs but leaves that zone, the ability won’t do anything as it resolves.
Notably, if your commander is on the battlefield and its eminence ability triggers, but it’s put into the command zone before that ability resolves, that ability won’t do anything as it resolves. This is because an object that changes zones is considered a new object.
New text:
Edgar Markov’s eminence ability is a triggered ability. Edgar must be on the battlefield or in the command zone when you cast another Vampire spell and also as the triggered ability resolves. If it’s on the battlefield or in the command zone when you cast another Vampire spell but leaves that zone before the ability resolves, the ability won’t do anything as it resolves.
Notably, if Edgar Markov is on the battlefield and its eminence ability triggers, but it’s put into the command zone before that ability resolves, that ability won’t do anything as it resolves. This is because an object that changes zones is considered a new object.
Inalla, Archmage Ritualist
The wording of one of Inalla, Archmage Ritualist’s rulings has been updated.
Old text:
Three eminence abilities are triggered abilities. That creature must be on the battlefield or in the command zone as the trigger event occurs and also as the triggered ability resolves. If the creature is in an appropriate zone as the trigger event occurs but leaves that zone, the ability won’t do anything as it resolves.
New text:
This commander’s eminence ability is a triggered ability. The commander must be on the battlefield or in the command zone as the trigger event occurs and also as the triggered ability resolves. If the commander is in an appropriate zone as the trigger event occurs but leaves that zone, the ability won’t do anything as it resolves.
Sorin, Imperious Bloodlord
The wording of one of Sorin, Imperious Bloodlord’s rulings has been updated.
Old text:
Sorin’s second ability goes on the stack without a target. While that ability resolves, you may sacrifice a Vampire. When you do, the reflexive triggered ability triggers and you pick a target to be dealt damage. This is different from effects that say “If you do . . .” in that players may take actions after you’ve sacrificed the creature but before damage is dealt.
New text:
You don’t choose a target for Sorin’s second ability at the time you activate it. Rather, a second “reflexive” ability triggers when you sacrifice a Vampire this way. You choose a target for this ability as it goes on the stack. Each player may respond to this triggered ability as normal.
Giant Ox
One ruling has been removed from Giant Ox’s Gatherer page.
Crewing a Vehicle doesn’t cause Giant Ox’s power or toughness to change.
Eccentric Farmer
The wording of one of Eccentric Farmer’s rulings has been updated.
Old text:
You don’t have to choose the land card you will return to your hand until after you have milled three cards.
New text:
The land card you return to your hand can be one you just milled or it can be one that was already in your graveyard.
Necroduality
Three standard rulings for copy effects have been added to Necroduality’s Gatherer page.
The token copies exactly what was printed on the original permanent and nothing else (unless that permanent is copying something else; see below). It doesn’t copy whether that permanent is tapped or untapped, whether it has any counters on it or Auras and Equipment attached to it, or any non-copy effects that have changed its power, toughness, types, color, or so on.
If the copied permanent is copying something else, then the token enters as whatever that permanent copied.
Any “enters” abilities of the copied permanent will trigger when the token enters. Any “as [this permanent] enters” or “[this permanent] enters with” abilities of the copied permanent will also work.
Overcharged Amalgam
The wording of one of Overcharged Amalgam’s rulings has been updated.
Old text:
Abilities that create replacement effects, such as a permanent entering the battlefield tapped or with counters on it, can’t be targeted. Abilities that apply “as [this creature] enters the battlefield” are also replacement effects and can’t be targeted.
New text:
Abilities that create replacement effects, such as a permanent entering tapped or with counters on it, can’t be targeted. Abilities that apply “as [this creature] enters” are also replacement effects and can’t be targeted.
Restless Bloodseeker
In addition to the standard rulings for Blood tokens, one ruling has been added to Restless Bloodseeker’s Gatherer page. The page now has the same rulings as the Gatherer page of the card’s back face, Bloodsoaked Reveler.
If you haven’t gained life during the turn when your end step begins, Restless Bloodseeker’s ability (and similarly, Bloodsoaked Reveler’s ability) won’t trigger at all. Gaining life during your end step won’t cause the ability to trigger.
Bloodsoaked Reveler
In addition to the standard rulings for Blood tokens, two rulings have been added to Bloodsoaked Reveler’s Gatherer page. The page now has the same rulings as the Gatherer page of the card’s front face, Restless Bloodseeker.
If you haven’t gained life during the turn when your end step begins, Restless Bloodseeker’s ability (and similarly, Bloodsoaked Reveler’s ability) won’t trigger at all. Gaining life during your end step won’t cause the ability to trigger.
The first ability of both Restless Bloodseeker and Bloodsoaked Reveler will trigger if you gained life at any point during the turn, even if you also lost that much or more life during the same turn.
Voldaren Bloodcaster
One ruling has been removed from Voldaren Bloodcaster’s Gatherer page.
Blood tokens that become Bats with Bloodbat Summoner’s ability are still artifact Blood tokens and still have “{1}, {T}, Discard a card, Sacrifice this artifact: Draw a card.”
Bloodbat Summoner
In addition to the standard rulings for Blood tokens, one ruling has been added to Bloodbat Summoner’s Gatherer page.
Blood tokens that become Bats with Bloodbat Summoner’s ability are still Blood artifact tokens and still have “{1}, {T}, Discard a card, Sacrifice this token: Draw a card.”
Chandra, Dressed to Kill
The wording of three of Chandra, Dressed to Kill’s rulings has been updated.
Old text:
Chandra’s first ability uses the stack and can be responded to, even if no targets were chosen. It doesn’t count as a mana ability.
Chandra’s second ability checks the characteristics of the card you exiled to see if it’s red. If the spell that card becomes somehow isn’t red, you may still cast it. For example, Rowan, Scholar of Sparks, the front face of a modal double-faced card, is red. Will, Scholar of Frost, the back face of the same card, is blue. In exile, that card is red, so you may cast either face if you exile it with this ability.
Chandra’s last ability, by contrast, only allows you to cast spells that are red when you cast them, no matter what the card in exile is. If Rowan, Scholar of Sparks is exiled by this ability, you won’t be able to cast Will, Scholar of Frost this way because it would be a blue spell.
New text:
Chandra’s first ability uses the stack and can be responded to, even if no targets were chosen. It isn’t a mana ability.
Chandra’s second ability checks the characteristics of the card you exiled to see if it’s red. If the card is red, but the spell that card becomes somehow isn’t red, you may still cast it. For example, Rowan, Scholar of Sparks, the front face of a modal double-faced card, is red. Will, Scholar of Frost, the back face of the same card, is blue. In exile, that card is red, so you may cast either face if you exile it with this ability.
Chandra’s last ability, by contrast, only allows you to cast spells that are red when you cast them, no matter what the card in exile is. If Rowan, Scholar of Sparks (a modal double-faced card) is exiled by this ability, you won’t be able to cast its back face, Will, Scholar of Frost, this way because it would be a blue spell.
Propagator Drone
Six standard rulings for shield counters and four standard rulings for the proliferate keyword action have been removed from Propagator Drone’s Gatherer page.
Neither shield counters nor proliferate appear in Propagator Drone’s rules text. See also the changes to Proud Pack-Rhino’s Gatherer page.
hield [sic] counters don’t prevent players from sacrificing creatures.
Removing a shield counter when a permanent would be dealt damage or destroyed isn’t the same as regenerating that permanent.
If a permanent that would be dealt damage has more than one shield counter on it, that damage is prevented and only one shield counter is removed.
If a permanent with a shield counter is dealt unpreventable damage, that damage will be dealt and a shield counter will still be removed.
A creature with a shield counter on it may still be destroyed by state-based actions if it has damage marked on it equal to its toughness or has been dealt unpreventable damage by a source with deathtouch.
“Shield” is not an ability that creatures have and shield counters are not keyword counters. If a creature with a shield counter loses its abilities, the shield counter will still protect it as normal.
hen [sic] you proliferate, you can choose any permanent that has a counter, including ones controlled by opponents. You can choose any player who has a counter, including opponents. You can’t choose cards in any zone other than the battlefield, even if they have counters on them.
You don’t have to choose every permanent or player that has a counter—only the ones you want to add counters to. Since “any number” includes zero, you don’t have to choose any permanents at all, and you don’t have to choose any players at all.
If a player or permanent has more than one kind of counter on it, and you choose for it to get additional counters, it must get one of each kind of counter it already has. You can’t have it get just one kind of counter it already has and not the others.
Players can respond to a spell or ability whose effect includes proliferating. Once that spell or ability starts to resolve, however, and its controller chooses which permanents and players will get new counters, it’s too late for anyone to respond.