Boulderbranch Golem — ruling 1

If Boulderbranch Golem leaves the battlefield before its enters-the-battlefield triggered ability resolves, use its power as it last existed on the battlefield to determine how much life is gained, not its power in the zone it moved to.

Boulderbranch Golem — ruling 2

A prototype card is a colorless card in every zone except the stack or the battlefield, as well as while on the stack or the battlefield if not cast as a prototyped spell. Ignore its alternative characteristics in those cases. For example, while it's in your graveyard, Blitz Automaton is a colorless creature card with mana value 7. It can't be the target of Recommission, a spell that targets an artifact or creature card with mana value 3 or less in your graveyard.

Boulderbranch Golem — ruling 3

When cast as a prototyped spell, that spell has the mana cost, power, and toughness characteristics shown in its colored, secondary text box rather than the normal values of those characteristics. Its color and mana value are determined by that mana cost. The permanent that spell becomes as it resolves has the same characteristics. If the spell leaves the stack in any other way, or the permanent it becomes leaves the battlefield, it immediately resumes using its normal characteristics.

Boulderbranch Golem — ruling 4

Regardless of how it was cast, a prototype card always has the same name, abilities, types, and so on. Only the mana cost, mana value, color, power, and toughness change depending on whether the card was cast as a prototyped spell.

Boulderbranch Golem — ruling 5

The prototype ability functions in any zone that the spell could be cast from. For example, if an effect allows you to cast artifact spells from your graveyard, you could cast a prototyped Blitz Automaton from your graveyard.

Boulderbranch Golem — ruling 6

Casting a prototyped spell isn't the same as casting it for an alternative cost, and an alternative cost may be applied to a spell cast this way. For example, if an effect allows you to cast an artifact card without paying its mana cost, you could either cast Blitz Automaton normally, or as a prototyped spell.

Boulderbranch Golem — ruling 7

When casting a prototyped spell, use only its prototype characteristics to determine whether it's legal to cast it. For example, if Blitz Automaton is exiled with the last ability of Chandra, Dressed to Kill, you would be able to cast it for {2}{R} (because it's a red spell), even though you wouldn't be able to cast it as a colorless spell for its normal cost.

Boulderbranch Golem — ruling 8

If an effect copies a prototyped spell, that copy (as well as the token it becomes on the battlefield) will have the same characteristics as the prototyped spell. Similarly, if an effect creates a token that's a copy of a prototyped permanent or causes another permanent to become a copy of it, the copy would have the same characteristics as the prototyped permanent.

Boulderbranch Golem : règles, fonctionnement et interactions (MTG)

Boulderbranch Golem 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

Prototype — 3/3 (You may cast this spell with different mana cost, color, and size. It keeps its abilities and types.) When this creature enters, you gain life equal to its power.

Complete guide

Boulderbranch Golem is a versatile artifact creature from The Brothers' War that utilizes the innovative Prototype mechanic. This card allows you to choose between a massive 6/5 threat or a more affordable 3/3 body, both of which reward you with life upon arrival.

Understanding Prototype

When you cast Boulderbranch Golem, you have a choice: pay {7} for a 6/5 colorless artifact creature, or pay {3}{G} for a 3/3 green artifact creature. If you choose the prototype cost, the card effectively changes its mana cost, mana value, color, power, and toughness to the values in the secondary text box. Importantly, it remains the same card with the same name and abilities regardless of which version you cast.

Step-by-Step Resolution

First, you choose how to cast the spell; if you cast it for {3}{G}, it becomes green and has a mana value of 4 on the stack. Once it resolves and enters the battlefield, its triggered ability goes on the stack. The game checks its power at the moment the ability resolves. If the Golem was prototyped, you gain 3 life; if it was cast normally, you gain 6 life. If the Golem is destroyed while the ability is still on the stack, the game uses 'Last Known Information' to check what its power was right before it left the battlefield.

Common Mistakes

A frequent point of confusion is how the card behaves in zones other than the stack or battlefield. In your hand, library, or graveyard, Boulderbranch Golem is always a colorless card with a mana value of 7 and a power of 6. You cannot use a card that returns a 'creature with mana value 3 or less' to bring back a prototyped Golem from the graveyard, because its prototype characteristics only apply while it is a spell or a permanent.

When to Play It

Boulderbranch Golem is excellent for stabilizing against aggressive decks. The flexibility of the Prototype mechanic means you can cast it early for {3}{G} to gain 3 life and block, or wait until late game to cast the full {7} version for a larger body and a 6-life swing. Because the life gain is tied to its power, any effects that buff its power before the trigger resolves will result in even more life gained.

Interaction examples

Boosting Life Gain with ETB Triggers

Craterhoof Behemoth

If you have multiple creatures and cast Boulderbranch Golem followed by a way to put Craterhoof Behemoth onto the battlefield (or if they enter simultaneously), you can order the triggers so Craterhoof Behemoth's ability resolves first. This increases the Golem's power significantly before its own ability resolves, allowing you to gain life equal to its new, massive power value.

Synergy with Wide Boards

Avenger of Zendikar

If you have Avenger of Zendikar and its Plant tokens on the field, casting a prototyped Boulderbranch Golem provides a blocker and 3 life to protect your setup. If you instead cast the Golem for its full cost of {7}, the 6 life gained can provide the necessary cushion to survive an opponent's attack while you wait to trigger Landfall and grow your Plants into a winning force.

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

How it works : Boulderbranch Golem

Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall

#1October 14, 2022· Wizards of the Coast
If Boulderbranch Golem leaves the battlefield before its enters-the-battlefield triggered ability resolves, use its power as it last existed on the battlefield to determine how much life is gained, not its power in the zone it moved to.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#2October 14, 2022· Wizards of the Coast
A prototype card is a colorless card in every zone except the stack or the battlefield, as well as while on the stack or the battlefield if not cast as a prototyped spell. Ignore its alternative characteristics in those cases. For example, while it's in your graveyard, Blitz Automaton is a colorless creature card with mana value 7. It can't be the target of Recommission, a spell that targets an artifact or creature card with mana value 3 or less in your graveyard.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#3October 14, 2022· Wizards of the Coast
When cast as a prototyped spell, that spell has the mana cost, power, and toughness characteristics shown in its colored, secondary text box rather than the normal values of those characteristics. Its color and mana value are determined by that mana cost. The permanent that spell becomes as it resolves has the same characteristics. If the spell leaves the stack in any other way, or the permanent it becomes leaves the battlefield, it immediately resumes using its normal characteristics.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#4October 14, 2022· Wizards of the Coast
Regardless of how it was cast, a prototype card always has the same name, abilities, types, and so on. Only the mana cost, mana value, color, power, and toughness change depending on whether the card was cast as a prototyped spell.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#5October 14, 2022· Wizards of the Coast
The prototype ability functions in any zone that the spell could be cast from. For example, if an effect allows you to cast artifact spells from your graveyard, you could cast a prototyped Blitz Automaton from your graveyard.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#6October 14, 2022· Wizards of the Coast
Casting a prototyped spell isn't the same as casting it for an alternative cost, and an alternative cost may be applied to a spell cast this way. For example, if an effect allows you to cast an artifact card without paying its mana cost, you could either cast Blitz Automaton normally, or as a prototyped spell.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#7October 14, 2022· Wizards of the Coast
When casting a prototyped spell, use only its prototype characteristics to determine whether it's legal to cast it. For example, if Blitz Automaton is exiled with the last ability of Chandra, Dressed to Kill, you would be able to cast it for (because it's a red spell), even though you wouldn't be able to cast it as a colorless spell for its normal cost.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#8October 14, 2022· Wizards of the Coast
If an effect copies a prototyped spell, that copy (as well as the token it becomes on the battlefield) will have the same characteristics as the prototyped spell. Similarly, if an effect creates a token that's a copy of a prototyped permanent or causes another permanent to become a copy of it, the copy would have the same characteristics as the prototyped permanent.
No other card is named in this ruling.