Colossal MajestyHow it works & interactions with other cards

Understanding the Trigger

Colossal Majesty features what is known as an 'intervening if' clause. For the ability to trigger at all, you must already control a creature with power 4 or greater at the exact moment your upkeep begins. If you do not meet this requirement, the ability never goes on the stack, and you cannot cast spells or activate abilities during your upkeep to try and force a trigger.

Resolution and the Power Check

Once the ability triggers and is put on the stack, it checks the condition a second time during resolution. If, at that moment, you no longer control a creature with power 4 or greater (perhaps because your opponent destroyed it in response), you will not draw a card. However, the creature you control during resolution does not have to be the same one that caused the trigger; as long as at least one creature meets the power requirement, the effect succeeds.

Efficiency and Limits

It is important to note that Colossal Majesty only ever draws you one card per upkeep. Controlling five creatures with power 4 or greater does not grant you five cards. Additionally, the power of a creature is determined by its current state, including any counters, equipment, or continuous effects that modify its stats.

When to Deploy

Since this card triggers during your upkeep, it is best played when you already have a board presence or a plan to cast a large creature on the following turn. It provides excellent long-term value in 'Stompy' decks where high-power creatures are the standard.

Interaction examples

The Upkeep Sequence

As your upkeep begins, the game checks if you have a creature with power 4 or greater. If you have one, the ability triggers. If your opponent casts a spell to destroy that creature in response, the ability will check again upon resolution. If you have no other creatures with power 4 or greater, you will not draw a card.

Stacking Draw Effects

Sylvan Library

Both cards have triggers at the start of your turn. Colossal Majesty triggers during the upkeep, while Sylvan Library triggers during the draw step. You will resolve the Colossal Majesty trigger first, potentially drawing a card, and then move to your draw step to resolve Sylvan Library's ability to see even more cards.

Redundant Card Draw

Garruk's Uprising

If you have both enchantments on the battlefield, they function differently. Colossal Majesty provides a guaranteed card each turn during your upkeep if you have a large creature. Garruk's Uprising provides a card immediately when it enters, and then additional cards every time a new large creature enters the battlefield. Together, they ensure your hand remains full as long as your creatures stay big.