Alela, Artful Provocateur — ruling 1

Alela's last ability resolves before the spell that caused it to trigger. It resolves even if that spell is countered.

Alela, Artful Provocateur — ruling 2

A spell that's both an artifact and an enchantment spell causes Alela's last ability to trigger only once.

Alela, Artful Provocateur : règles, fonctionnement et interactions (MTG)

Alela, Artful Provocateur 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

Flying, deathtouch, lifelink Other creatures you control with flying get +1/+0. Whenever you cast an artifact or enchantment spell, create a 1/1 blue Faerie creature token with flying.

Complete guide

Alela, Artful Provocateur is a versatile commander who excels at rewarding you for playing non-creature spells that enhance your board state. By combining the power of Faerie synergy with artifacts and enchantments, she turns every strategic utility piece into an airborne threat.

A Triple Threat Commander

Alela is a 2/3 powerhouse featuring flying, deathtouch, and lifelink. While she protects your life total and discourages attackers, her true strength lies in her static ability: she grants every other creature you control with flying +1/+0. This turns her own tokens and other aerial allies into significant threats.

Triggering the Faerie Swarm

Every time you cast an artifact or enchantment spell, Alela triggers to create a 1/1 blue Faerie creature token with flying. Note that this is a 'cast' trigger; the token is created as soon as you cast the spell, long before the spell itself actually resolves. Even if your opponent counters your artifact or enchantment, you still get your Faerie.

Strategic Considerations

It is important to remember that a spell that is both an artifact and an enchantment (such as an artifact creature) only triggers Alela once. Additionally, her buff only applies to other creatures; Alela does not give herself the +1/+0 bonus despite having flying. To maximize her value, focus on low-cost artifacts that cantrip or enchantments that protect your board.

Interaction examples

Automatic Reinforcements

Solemn Simulacrum

When you cast Solemn Simulacrum, Alela's ability triggers immediately because the Golem is an artifact. You create a 1/1 Faerie token. Since the token has flying, Alela's static ability applies, making it a 2/1. Finally, Solemn Simulacrum resolves and enters the battlefield.

Doubling the Production

Roaming Throne

If you have Roaming Throne on the battlefield with 'Faerie' chosen as the creature type, Alela's cast trigger will fire an additional time. Casting a single artifact or enchantment will now result in two 1/1 Faerie tokens being created instead of one.

Combat Math with Tokens

Faerie

With Alela on the board, any standard 1/1 Faerie token you created previously (or via her ability) becomes a 2/1 creature. This turns a small swarm of tokens into a lethal clock, as they all benefit from the power boost while bypassing ground blockers.

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

How it works : Alela, Artful Provocateur

Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall

#1October 4, 2019· Wizards of the Coast
Alela's last ability resolves before the spell that caused it to trigger. It resolves even if that spell is countered.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#2October 4, 2019· Wizards of the Coast
A spell that's both an artifact and an enchantment spell causes Alela's last ability to trigger only once.
No other card is named in this ruling.