Basim Ibn Ishaq 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
Whenever you cast a historic spell, draw a card. Basim Ibn Ishaq can't be blocked this turn. This ability triggers only once each turn. (Artifacts, legendaries, and Sagas are historic.) Whenever Basim Ibn Ishaq deals combat damage to a player, put a +1/+1 counter on it.
Complete guide
Basim Ibn Ishaq is a versatile Dimir commander that rewards you for playing into the rich lore and machinery of Magic: The Gathering. By focusing on historic spells, he ensures your hand stays full while he grows into an unblockable threat. This Human Assassin is the perfect centerpiece for a deck built around artifacts, legends, and Sagas.
Unpacking Historic Casting
Basim triggers whenever you cast a historic spell, which includes any card with the Legendary supertype, the Artifact type, or the Saga subtype. It is important to note that you must actually 'cast' the spell; playing a legendary land does not count, nor does putting an artifact directly onto the battlefield from your library. Even if your opponent counters your spell, Basim's ability has already triggered and will still allow you to draw a card.
The Path of the Assassin
When the historic trigger resolves, two things happen: you draw a card, and Basim becomes unblockable for the rest of the turn. This setup allows him to safely navigate the red zone to trigger his second ability. Whenever he deals combat damage to a player, he gains a permanent +1/+1 counter, turning him from a small utility creature into a massive late-game finisher.
Timing and Limitations
Basim's card-draw and unblockable ability is restricted to triggering only once each turn. This includes your opponents' turns if you are casting historic spells with Flash. Because the unblockable status lasts until the end of the turn, you should ideally cast your historic spell during your first main phase before declaring attackers to ensure he can't be legally blocked.
Interaction examples
Ornithopter of ParadiseWith Basim Ibn Ishaq on the battlefield, you cast Ornithopter of Paradise. Because the Ornithopter is an artifact, it is a historic spell. Basim's ability triggers and goes on the stack on top of the Ornithopter. You draw a card and Basim becomes unblockable. Then, the Ornithopter resolves and enters the battlefield. During your combat phase, Basim attacks and cannot be blocked, dealing damage and receiving a +1/+1 counter.
Blood ArtistIf you cast Blood Artist while Basim Ibn Ishaq is on the battlefield, nothing happens regarding Basim's first ability. Blood Artist is not an artifact, it is not legendary, and it is not a Saga. Therefore, it is not historic. Basim will not grant a card draw or become unblockable, though he can still attack normally and earn a counter if he happens to deal combat damage to a player.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Basim Ibn Ishaq
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
A card, spell, or permanent is historic if it has the legendary supertype, the artifact card type, or the Saga subtype. Having two of those qualities doesn’t make an object more historic than another or provide an additional bonus—an object either is historic or it isn’t.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #2· Wizards of the Coast
Some abilities trigger “whenever you cast a historic spell.” Such an 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.
- #3· Wizards of the Coast
An ability that triggers “whenever you cast a historic spell” doesn’t trigger if a historic card is put onto the battlefield without being cast.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #4· Wizards of the Coast
Lands are never cast, so abilities that trigger “whenever you cast a historic spell” won’t trigger if you play a legendary land. They also won’t trigger if a card on the battlefield transforms into a card with the legendary supertype, the artifact card type, or the Saga subtype.
No other card is named in this ruling.
Legal formats
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