Agonasaur Rex — ruling 1

Some cards with cycling have an ability that triggers when you cycle them, and some cards have an ability that triggers whenever you cycle any card or discard any card. These triggered abilities resolve before you draw from the cycling ability.

Agonasaur Rex — ruling 2

Triggered abilities from cycling a card and the cycling ability itself aren’t spells. Effects that interact with spells (such as that of Cancel) won’t affect them.

Agonasaur Rex — ruling 3

You can cycle a card even if it has a triggered ability from cycling that won’t have a legal target. This is because the cycling ability and the triggered ability are separate. This also means that if either ability is countered (with Disallow, for example), the other ability will still resolve.

Agonasaur Rex : règles, fonctionnement et interactions (MTG)

Agonasaur Rex is one of those cards players keep asking about. Here is, in plain words, what its official text says, the rulings published by Wizards of the Coast, and the combos players actually run.

Official card text

Trample Cycling (, Discard this card: Draw a card.) When you cycle this card, put two +1/+1 counters on up to one target creature or Vehicle. It gains trample and indestructible until end of turn.

Complete guide

Agonasaur Rex is a powerhouse Dinosaur that offers incredible versatility on the battlefield or from your hand. Whether you are stomping through blockers or using its cycling ability to protect your team, this card is a game-changer. Let's explore how its unique triggered ability interacts with other creatures and vehicles.

Understanding the Cycling Trigger

Agonasaur Rex features an 'on-cycle' triggered ability. When you pay {2}{G} and discard Agonasaur Rex, two things happen: the cycling action is put on the stack to draw a card, and a separate triggered ability goes on the stack above it. This trigger allows you to place two +1/+1 counters on a target creature or Vehicle, granting it trample and indestructible until end of turn.

Step-by-Step Resolution

First, you announce the cycling ability, pay the cost, and discard Agonasaur Rex. Second, the triggered ability is placed on the stack, and you must choose a legal target (up to one creature or Vehicle). Third, the triggered ability resolves first, giving your target the counters and keywords. Finally, the original cycling ability resolves, and you draw a card from your library.

Common Mistakes and Counter-Magic

Because cycling and its associated trigger are abilities, not spells, they cannot be stopped by cards like Cancel. Furthermore, the draw effect and the counter/protection effect are independent. If your opponent removes the target of the +1/+1 counters in response, the triggered ability fizzles, but you will still resolve the cycling ability and draw your card.

Tactical Timing

You can cycle Agonasaur Rex at any time you have priority, including during your opponent's turn or in the middle of combat. This makes it an excellent defensive tool to grant a blocker indestructible or a surprise offensive buff to push lethal damage through with trample.

Interaction examples

Saving a Value Piece

Solemn Simulacrum

Your opponent casts a spell to destroy your Solemn Simulacrum. In response, you cycle Agonasaur Rex, targeting the Golem. The triggered ability resolves first, giving Solemn Simulacrum two +1/+1 counters and indestructible. Your opponent's spell now fails to destroy it, and you still draw a card from the cycling ability.

Doubling the Rex's Power

Roaming Throne

With Roaming Throne on the battlefield naming 'Dinosaur', you cycle Agonasaur Rex. Because Agonasaur Rex is a Dinosaur card in your hand, Roaming Throne sees the 'When you cycle this card' ability trigger. The ability triggers an additional time, allowing you to distribute four +1/+1 counters and grant trample/indestructible to two different targets (or the same one) before you draw your card.

Self-Buffing Example

If you simply cast Agonasaur Rex for its five-mana cost, it enters as a 5/6 creature with Trample. Note that its cycling trigger only occurs if the card is discarded from your hand for its cycling cost; you do not get the counters or indestructible when you play the creature normally.

Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.

How it works : Agonasaur Rex

Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall

#1February 7, 2025· Wizards of the Coast
Some cards with cycling have an ability that triggers when you cycle them, and some cards have an ability that triggers whenever you cycle any card or discard any card. These triggered abilities resolve before you draw from the cycling ability.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#2February 7, 2025· Wizards of the Coast
Triggered abilities from cycling a card and the cycling ability itself aren’t spells. Effects that interact with spells (such as that of Cancel) won’t affect them.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#3February 7, 2025· Wizards of the Coast
You can cycle a card even if it has a triggered ability from cycling that won’t have a legal target. This is because the cycling ability and the triggered ability are separate. This also means that if either ability is countered (with Disallow, for example), the other ability will still resolve.
No other card is named in this ruling.