Alhammarret, High Arbiter 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 As Alhammarret enters, each opponent reveals their hand. You choose the name of a nonland card revealed this way. Your opponents can't cast spells with the chosen name (as long as this creature is on the battlefield).
Complete guide
Alhammarret, High Arbiter is a massive Sphinx that grants you total knowledge of your opponents' strategies before they can even be played. This legendary creature not only provides a powerful flying threat but also dictates exactly which cards your opponents are forbidden from using. By entering the battlefield with a restrictive mandate, Alhammarret ensures your path to victory remains unobstructed.
Choosing the Forbidden Name
Alhammarret, High Arbiter features a static ability that functions as it enters the battlefield. You do not choose a name when you cast the spell; instead, you wait until it is resolving. Each opponent must reveal their entire hand, allowing you to see every nonland option they have. From all the cards revealed by all opponents combined, you select exactly one nonland card name. This choice is final and occurs before any player can react once the Sphinx is on the table.
Enforcing the Restriction
Once a name is chosen, your opponents are prohibited from casting spells with that specific name for as long as Alhammarret remains on the battlefield. It is important to note that this restriction only applies to the action of 'casting.' It does not prevent cards with that name from being put onto the battlefield via other effects, such as reanimation or put-into-play abilities. If your opponents happen to have zero nonland cards in their hands when Alhammarret enters, you cannot choose a name, and the restriction won't apply.
Timing and Strategy
Because the choice happens 'as' Alhammarret enters, there is no window for opponents to cast the card you named in response to the choice. Once they reveal their hands and you pick the name, the lock is active immediately. However, if Alhammarret leaves the battlefield, the restriction vanishes instantly, and those cards may be cast again. Remember, you only choose one name total, even in multiplayer games where you see multiple hands.
Interaction examples
Hullbreaker HorrorIf your opponent has Hullbreaker Horror in hand when Alhammarret, High Arbiter enters the battlefield, you can choose its name. Even though Hullbreaker Horror has Flash and cannot be countered, your opponent cannot cast it once the name is chosen. They would have had to cast it while Alhammarret was still a spell on the stack to avoid the restriction.
Consecrated SphinxWith Alhammarret, High Arbiter and Consecrated Sphinx on the battlefield, you control the flow of information. You already know what cards are in your opponents' hands from Alhammarret's entry effect, and as they draw new cards to find an answer, Consecrated Sphinx allows you to draw two cards for every one they draw, ensuring you stay ahead of whatever they might try to cast instead of the forbidden card.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Alhammarret, High Arbiter
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
Alhammarret's second ability happens as Alhammarret enters the battlefield. No one can cast spells or activate abilities between the time a card is named and the time that Alhammarret's last ability starts to work.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #2· Wizards of the Coast
You choose one card name, not one name per opponent.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #3· Wizards of the Coast
Although spells with the chosen name can't be cast, permanent cards with that name can still be put onto the battlefield by a spell or ability.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #4· Wizards of the Coast
If your opponents have no nonland cards in their hands, you can't choose a card name. Alhammarret's last ability won't stop any spells from being cast in that case.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #5· Wizards of the Coast
Your opponents can still cast a card with the chosen name face down if it has a morph ability. A card with the chosen name can also be manifested.
No other card is named in this ruling.
Legal formats
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Meta decks with Alhammarret, High Arbiter
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