Akroma's Memorial 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

Creatures you control have flying, first strike, vigilance, trample, haste, and protection from black and from red.

Complete guide

Akroma's Memorial is a legendary artifact that serves as a monument to one of Magic's most iconic angels. By turning your entire army into a force that mirrors Akroma herself, it transforms every creature you control into an unstoppable powerhouse. This seven-mana investment provides a suite of seven powerful abilities that can end a game in a single combat phase.

A Suite of Keywords

While Akroma's Memorial is on the battlefield, every creature you control gains flying, first strike, vigilance, trample, haste, and protection from black and from red. These are static abilities that apply immediately to any creature currently under your control, as well as any creatures that enter the battlefield later. The protection ability specifically means your creatures cannot be damaged, enchanted, equipped, blocked, or targeted by anything black or red.

How it Resolves

When Akroma's Memorial enters the battlefield, its effect is continuous. It does not use the stack to grant these abilities; rather, they are simply true as long as the Memorial remains in play. If a creature enters the battlefield while the Memorial is out, it arrives with haste, meaning it can attack or use tap abilities immediately without waiting for a turn to pass. If the Memorial leaves the battlefield, the creatures lose these granted abilities instantly.

Common Pitfalls

A common mistake is forgetting that 'Protection from Black' means your own black spells cannot target your creatures. If you try to use a black spell to buff one of your creatures, it will be an illegal target. Additionally, remember that while Akroma's Memorial grants these abilities to your creatures, the Memorial itself does not have protection. An opponent can still destroy the Memorial using a red spell like Shatter or a black spell that targets artifacts.

Strategic Deployment

Because it grants haste and trample, this card is best played right before a large attack. It effectively removes the 'summoning sickness' from any creatures you cast in the same turn, allowing for explosive plays. The vigilance keyword is also crucial, as it allows you to attack aggressively while keeping your now-protected creatures ready to block on your opponent's turn.

Interaction examples

Immediate Impact

Meteor Golem

If you control Akroma's Memorial and then cast Meteor Golem, the Golem enters the battlefield and its triggered ability targets a nonland permanent. Because of the Memorial, the Meteor Golem immediately has haste, flying, and trample. You can use its 'enters' ability to destroy a blocker and then immediately attack with a 3/3 flying, trampling artifact creature.

Protection from Removal

Chimil, the Inner Sun

With Akroma's Memorial on the battlefield, your creatures are immune to red damage-based board wipes and black targeted destruction. While Chimil, the Inner Sun ensures your spells (including the Memorial itself) cannot be countered, the Memorial ensures that once your creatures land, they are significantly harder to remove with two of the most common colors for creature destruction.

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