Carmen, Cruel Skymarcher — ruling 1

If a permanent is sacrificed to pay a cost of a spell or ability, Carmen, Cruel Skymarcher's second ability will resolve before that spell or ability. Conversely, if a permanent is sacrificed during the resolution of a spell or ability, that spell or ability will finish resolving before Carmen, Cruel Skymarcher's second ability is put onto the stack.

Carmen, Cruel Skymarcher — ruling 2

If you sacrifice Carmen, Cruel Skymarcher, its second ability will still trigger.

Carmen, Cruel Skymarcher — ruling 3

If another effect causes Carmen, Cruel Skymarcher's power to be less than the mana value of the target card as its last ability tries to resolve, the target is illegal. You won't return the target card to the battlefield.

Carmen, Cruel Skymarcher : règles, fonctionnement et interactions (MTG)

Carmen, Cruel Skymarcher 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 Whenever a player sacrifices a permanent, put a +1/+1 counter on Carmen and you gain 1 life. Whenever Carmen attacks, return up to one target permanent card with mana value less than or equal to Carmen's power from your graveyard to the battlefield.

Complete guide

Carmen, Cruel Skymarcher is a formidable Orzhov commander that thrives on the loss of others. By combining a growth mechanic tied to sacrifices with a powerful reanimation ability upon attacking, she quickly becomes a dominant force on the battlefield.

Scaling with Sacrifice

Carmen's second ability triggers whenever any player sacrifices a permanent. This includes sacrificing a Treasure token, a fetch land, or a creature to an altar. Each time this happens, Carmen receives a +1/+1 counter and you gain 1 life. Because this ability triggers for all players, Carmen can grow significantly even when it is not your turn.

The Attack Trigger and Timing

When Carmen attacks, you choose up to one target permanent card in your graveyard. The card's mana value must be less than or equal to Carmen's current power. Note that if Carmen's power is reduced below the target's mana value before the ability resolves (for example, by a debuff spell), the target becomes illegal and will remain in the graveyard. If the sacrifice was used to pay the cost of a spell, Carmen's counter ability resolves before that spell does.

Strategic Considerations

Common mistakes involve forgetting that Carmen triggers off any permanent, including lands and artifacts. Additionally, remember that if you sacrifice Carmen herself to an effect, her ability still triggers one last time to grant you life and a counter (though she won't be on the battlefield to receive it). Always check her power exactly as the attack trigger resolves to ensure your target is still valid.

Interaction examples

Recycling the Simulacrum

Solemn Simulacrum

If Solemn Simulacrum is in your graveyard and Carmen, Cruel Skymarcher has a power of 4 or greater, you can target the Simulacrum when Carmen attacks. Upon resolution, Solemn Simulacrum enters the battlefield, allowing you to search for a basic land. If you later sacrifice the Simulacrum to another effect, Carmen will grow larger, making it easier to return even more expensive permanents next turn.

Double the Value with Roaming Throne

Roaming Throne

With Roaming Throne on the battlefield naming 'Vampire' or 'Soldier', Carmen, Cruel Skymarcher's abilities trigger an additional time. If a player sacrifices a permanent, Carmen gains two +1/+1 counters and you gain 2 life. When she attacks, you get two separate triggers, allowing you to return two different permanent cards from your graveyard to the battlefield, provided their mana values are within her power range.

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

How it works : Carmen, Cruel Skymarcher

Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall

#1November 10, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
If a permanent is sacrificed to pay a cost of a spell or ability, Carmen, Cruel Skymarcher's second ability will resolve before that spell or ability. Conversely, if a permanent is sacrificed during the resolution of a spell or ability, that spell or ability will finish resolving before Carmen, Cruel Skymarcher's second ability is put onto the stack.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#2November 10, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
If you sacrifice Carmen, Cruel Skymarcher, its second ability will still trigger.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#3November 10, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
If another effect causes Carmen, Cruel Skymarcher's power to be less than the mana value of the target card as its last ability tries to resolve, the target is illegal. You won't return the target card to the battlefield.
No other card is named in this ruling.