Aminatou, the Fateshifter — ruling 1

You draw a card and put one back all while Aminatou's first ability is resolving. Nothing can happen between the two, and no player may choose to take actions.

Aminatou, the Fateshifter — ruling 2

Aminatou's second ability can target any permanent you own, including those another player controls.

Aminatou, the Fateshifter — ruling 3

Once the exiled permanent returns, it's considered a new object with no relation to the object that it was. Auras attached to the exiled permanent will be put into their owners' graveyards. Equipment attached to the exiled permanent will become unattached and remain on the battlefield. Any counters on the exiled permanent will cease to exist.

Aminatou, the Fateshifter — ruling 4

If a token is exiled this way, it will cease to exist and won't return to the battlefield.

Aminatou, the Fateshifter — ruling 5

As Aminatou's third ability resolves, you choose a direction, then each player takes control of their new permanents at the same time.

Aminatou, the Fateshifter — ruling 6

The effect of Aminatou's third ability lasts indefinitely. It continues to apply after Aminatou (or her controller) leaves the game.

Aminatou, the Fateshifter — ruling 7

In a two-player game, each player gains control of each permanent the other controls (aside from Aminatou) no matter which direction you choose.

Aminatou, the Fateshifter — ruling 8

In a multiplayer game, if a player leaves the game, all cards that player owns leave as well. The effect of Aminatou's third ability stops applying to all permanents that player controlled and control of them reverts to their previous controller.

Aminatou, the Fateshifter : règles, fonctionnement et interactions (MTG)

Aminatou, the Fateshifter 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

+1: Draw a card, then put a card from your hand on top of your library. −1: Exile another target permanent you own, then return it to the battlefield under your control. −6: Choose left or right. Each player gains control of all nonland permanents other than Aminatou controlled by the next player in the chosen direction. Aminatou, the Fateshifter can be your commander.

Complete guide

Aminatou, the Fateshifter is a versatile Esper commander known for her ability to manipulate the top of the library and reset permanents. As a young planeswalker with the power to alter destiny, her abilities allow players to flicker their own cards and swap control of the entire board.

What it Does

Aminatou focuses on three distinct mechanics: card selection, blinking permanents, and global control shifting. Her first ability provides a 'Brainstorm' effect to set up your draws. Her second ability can rescue or re-trigger 'enter the battlefield' effects of permanents you own, even if an opponent currently controls them. Her ultimate ability creates a massive rotation of all nonland permanents, excluding herself, based on a direction you choose.

Resolution Step by Step

When activating the +1 ability, you draw a card and then put a card from your hand back on top during resolution; no one can cast spells between these two actions. The -1 ability targets a permanent you own, exiles it, and returns it immediately. This makes it a new object with no counters or attachments. The -6 ability requires you to choose 'left' or 'right' as it resolves. Every player then simultaneously passes control of their nonland permanents (except Aminatou) to the next player in that direction.

Common Mistakes

A common error is trying to flicker tokens; if Aminatou exiles a token with her -1 ability, the token ceases to exist and does not return. Additionally, keep in mind that her -1 ability targets permanents you 'own,' not just those you 'control.' This means if an opponent has stolen your creature, you can use Aminatou to bring it back to your side of the field.

When to Play It

Aminatou is best played in decks that value 'Enter the Battlefield' triggers or need to manipulate the top card of the library for mechanics like Miracle. Because she can be your commander, she provides consistent access to a flicker engine that protects your best assets or resets cards that have limited uses, like other planeswalkers.

Interaction examples

Manipulating the Draw

Narset, Parter of Veils

If your opponent controls Narset, Parter of Veils, you can only draw one card per turn. If you use Aminatou's +1 ability on your turn after having already drawn for the turn, Narset will prevent the draw. However, you must still put a card from your hand on top of your library if the ability resolves, which could result in a loss of card advantage.

Winning with an Empty Library

Jace, Wielder of Mysteries

With Jace, Wielder of Mysteries on the battlefield and no cards in your library, activating Aminatou's +1 ability will trigger Jace's replacement effect. Instead of drawing a card, you win the game immediately. The second part of Aminatou's ability (putting a card back) does not occur because the game ends.

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

How it works : Aminatou, the Fateshifter

Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall

#1July 13, 2018· Wizards of the Coast
You draw a card and put one back all while Aminatou's first ability is resolving. Nothing can happen between the two, and no player may choose to take actions.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#2July 13, 2018· Wizards of the Coast
Aminatou's second ability can target any permanent you own, including those another player controls.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#3July 13, 2018· Wizards of the Coast
Once the exiled permanent returns, it's considered a new object with no relation to the object that it was. Auras attached to the exiled permanent will be put into their owners' graveyards. Equipment attached to the exiled permanent will become unattached and remain on the battlefield. Any counters on the exiled permanent will cease to exist.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#4July 13, 2018· Wizards of the Coast
If a token is exiled this way, it will cease to exist and won't return to the battlefield.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#5July 13, 2018· Wizards of the Coast
As Aminatou's third ability resolves, you choose a direction, then each player takes control of their new permanents at the same time.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#6July 13, 2018· Wizards of the Coast
The effect of Aminatou's third ability lasts indefinitely. It continues to apply after Aminatou (or her controller) leaves the game.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#7July 13, 2018· Wizards of the Coast
In a two-player game, each player gains control of each permanent the other controls (aside from Aminatou) no matter which direction you choose.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#8July 13, 2018· Wizards of the Coast
In a multiplayer game, if a player leaves the game, all cards that player owns leave as well. The effect of Aminatou's third ability stops applying to all permanents that player controlled and control of them reverts to their previous controller.
No other card is named in this ruling.