Anvil of Bogardan — ruling 1

The triggered ability is put onto the stack after you have already drawn your card for the turn.

Anvil of Bogardan — ruling 2

If there are two Anvils on the battlefield, they trigger and resolve separately. This means that you first draw one card and discard one card, and then do it again. You do not draw two cards and then discard two cards.

Anvil of Bogardan — ruling 3

If multiple effects modify your hand size, apply them in timestamp order. For example, if you put Null Profusion (an enchantment that says your maximum hand size is two) onto the battlefield and then put Anvil of Bogardan onto the battlefield, you'll have no maximum hand size. However, if those permanents entered in the opposite order, your maximum hand size would be two.

Anvil of Bogardan — ruling 4

If the draw part of the effect is skipped due to a replacement effect, the discard part of the effect is not skipped.

Anvil of Bogardan : règles, fonctionnement et interactions (MTG)

Anvil of Bogardan 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

Players have no maximum hand size. At the beginning of each player's draw step, that player draws an additional card, then discards a card.

Complete guide

Anvil of Bogardan is a classic artifact that fundamentally changes the pace of a Magic: The Gathering game. By removing hand size limits and accelerating card flow, it ensures that every player has plenty of options while constantly filtering their resources. This card is a staple for decks that thrive on graveyard synergies or benefit from group hug dynamics.

Unpacking the Anvil's Mechanics

Anvil of Bogardan provides two distinct effects. First, it grants a continuous effect that eliminates the maximum hand size for all players, meaning no one has to discard down to seven during their cleanup step. Second, it features a triggered ability that occurs during the draw step, forcing a 'looting' action where a player draws an extra card and then immediately discards one.

Step-by-Step Resolution

The triggered ability activates during the draw step. First, the active player performs their normal turn-based draw. Next, the Anvil's ability is placed on the stack. When it resolves, the player draws one additional card and then must choose a card from their hand to discard. If multiple Anvils are present, these triggers resolve one at a time; you will draw and discard for the first before repeating the process for the second.

Common Pitfalls and Timestamps

A common mistake involves the interaction between 'no maximum hand size' and effects that set a specific hand size. These are managed by timestamps. If Anvil of Bogardan enters the battlefield after a card that limits your hand size, the Anvil 'wins' and you have no limit. However, if a new effect that sets a specific limit enters after the Anvil, that new limit will apply. Additionally, remember that if the draw is replaced by another effect, you must still discard a card.

Strategic Implementation

You should play Anvil of Bogardan when your deck benefits from having a full graveyard or when you need to dig for specific combo pieces. Because it affects all players, it is most effective when your deck is designed to utilize the discarded cards better than your opponents, such as in reanimator or madness strategies.

Interaction examples

Accelerating the Early Game

Sol Ring

On turn one, you play a land and a Sol Ring. This allows you to immediately cast Anvil of Bogardan. Starting on your second turn's draw step, you will draw your normal card, then the Anvil trigger resolves, allowing you to draw a second card and discard a less useful one, effectively seeing three cards by your second turn.

Fixing Your Colors

Arcane Signet

If you are struggling to find the right mana, Anvil of Bogardan helps you cycle through your deck. By using Arcane Signet to maintain your mana base, you can use the extra draw from the Anvil each turn to discard redundant lands or high-cost spells in search of the specific answers or colors you need to stabilize the board.

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

How it works : Anvil of Bogardan

Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall

#1April 15, 2013· Wizards of the Coast
The triggered ability is put onto the stack after you have already drawn your card for the turn.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#2April 15, 2013· Wizards of the Coast
If there are two Anvils on the battlefield, they trigger and resolve separately. This means that you first draw one card and discard one card, and then do it again. You do not draw two cards and then discard two cards.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#3October 1, 2009· Wizards of the Coast
If multiple effects modify your hand size, apply them in timestamp order. For example, if you put Null Profusion (an enchantment that says your maximum hand size is two) onto the battlefield and then put Anvil of Bogardan onto the battlefield, you'll have no maximum hand size. However, if those permanents entered in the opposite order, your maximum hand size would be two.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#4October 4, 2004· Wizards of the Coast
If the draw part of the effect is skipped due to a replacement effect, the discard part of the effect is not skipped.
No other card is named in this ruling.