Commander Spock 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
Strange new worlds — Whenever Commander Spock enters or attacks, reveal the top card of your library. You may cast that card without paying its mana cost if that spell's mana value is equal to or less than the number of differently named lands you control. If it's a land card, you may put it onto the battlefield tapped. If that card is still on top of your library, draw a card.
Complete guide
Commander Spock leads your deck on a voyage of discovery, turning every entry and attack into a potential free spell or mana acceleration. By leveraging the diversity of your mana base, Spock ensures that your scientific mission always yields new resources. This Vulcan Human Scientist bridges the gap between exploration and tactical advantage.
Logic and Diversity
The core of Commander Spock's ability, Strange new worlds, relies on the variety of land names you have in play. Whenever Spock enters the battlefield or attacks, you reveal the top card of your library. If it is a nonland card, you check its mana value against the number of differently named lands you control. If the mana value is equal to or less than that count, you can cast it for free. If it is a land, you can ramp it directly onto the battlefield tapped.
Resolution Step-by-Step
First, the ability triggers and you reveal the top card. Second, you determine if it qualifies for the free cast or the land placement. If you cast a spell this way, it follows all normal timing rules for casting, but it happens during the resolution of the ability. Finally, if the card remains on top of your library (because you chose not to cast it, couldn't cast it, or it wasn't a land), you draw that card. This ensures the ability always results in at least one card drawn if no other action is taken.
Common Pitfalls
Players often forget that the 'differently named lands' check includes all lands, including non-basics. However, multiple copies of a 'Forest' only count as one name. Also, if you cast a spell with an 'X' in its mana cost through this ability, X must be zero. If the revealed card is a land and you choose not to put it onto the battlefield, it stays on top and you draw it instead.
Strategic Deployment
To maximize Spock's efficiency, play him in decks with high land diversity, such as those using many unique non-basic lands. Because the ability triggers on both entering and attacking, haste enablers or ways to flicker Spock can lead to massive card advantage and board presence in a single turn.
Interaction examples
Roaming ThroneIf Roaming Throne is on the battlefield with 'Vulcan', 'Human', or 'Scientist' chosen, Commander Spock's 'Strange new worlds' ability triggers twice. You will resolve the first trigger completely (revealing, potentially casting or ramping, and drawing), then repeat the process for the second trigger with the new top card of your library.
Solemn SimulacrumWhen you play Solemn Simulacrum, you search for a basic land, increasing your count of differently named lands. When Commander Spock later enters or attacks, that new land name increases the threshold of mana values you can cast for free, logically expanding your options for the revealed card.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Commander Spock
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
No additional ruling has been published for this card.
Commentaires
- Sois le premier à commenter cette carte.
Read next
Meta decks with Commander Spock
No archived Top 8 deck with this card yet.