Chulane, Teller of TalesHow it works & interactions with other cards

Understanding the Trigger

Chulane's primary ability triggers whenever you cast a creature spell. This is a cast trigger, meaning it goes on the stack on top of the creature spell you just played. It will resolve before the creature actually enters the battlefield. This is especially useful because it provides you with a card—and potentially a land—even if your opponent counters your creature spell.

Breaking the Land Limit

The land you put onto the battlefield via Chulane's ability is a special instruction, not your one 'land play' for the turn. This means you can use this ability to put a land into play even if you have already played a land from your hand normally. Furthermore, because it triggers on casting a creature, if you cast a creature with Flash on an opponent's turn, you can put a land into play during their turn as well.

Bouncing for Value

Chulane's activated ability allows you to pay three mana and tap him to return a creature you control to your hand. This serves two purposes: protecting your vital creatures from removal and resetting 'enters-the-battlefield' effects. By returning a creature to your hand, you prepare yourself to cast it again, which will re-trigger Chulane's draw-and-ramp ability.

Common Mistakes

A common error is thinking Chulane's ability triggers when a creature enters the battlefield; it does not. It only triggers when the spell is cast. If a creature is put directly onto the battlefield from your library or graveyard without being cast, Chulane remains silent. Additionally, remember that you draw the card first, and then you may put a land from your hand onto the field—this means you can play the land you just drew!

Interaction examples

Chain Reaction with Golems

Solemn Simulacrum

When you cast Solemn Simulacrum, Chulane's ability triggers. First, you draw a card and may put a land from your hand onto the battlefield. After that resolves, the Solemn Simulacrum spell resolves and enters the battlefield. Only then does the Simulacrum's own ability trigger, allowing you to search for a basic land. By the time you are done, you have potentially put two extra lands into play and drawn a card.

Double the Stories

Roaming Throne

If you play Roaming Throne and choose 'Human' or 'Druid' as it enters, it becomes that type. However, for future creature casts, the Throne will see Chulane (another creature of the chosen type) trigger. When you cast your next creature, Chulane's ability will trigger twice thanks to Roaming Throne. You will draw a card and put a land down, then draw another card and put another land down, all before the creature spell you cast even finishes resolving.