Curator of Mysteries — ruling 1

Some cards have an ability that triggers whenever you cycle any card. These triggered abilities resolve before you draw from the cycling ability.

Curator of Mysteries — ruling 2

An ability that triggers whenever you discard a card doesn't give you permission to discard cards. You'll need another effect that instructs or allows you to discard them.

Curator of Mysteries — ruling 3

An ability that triggers whenever you “cycle or discard” a card triggers only once if you cycle a card. The ability “Whenever you discard a card” is functionally identical to this ability; cycling is mentioned for clarity.

Curator of Mysteries — ruling 4

If a player discards a card during their cleanup step due to having too many cards in hand, any appropriate abilities that trigger on discarding that card trigger. If this happens, those triggered abilities are put onto the stack and players receive priority in that cleanup step to cast spells or activate abilities (normally, no players may take actions during a cleanup step). Another cleanup step is created following that one.

Curator of Mysteries : règles, fonctionnement et interactions (MTG)

Curator of Mysteries 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 you cycle or discard another card, scry 1. Cycling (, Discard this card: Draw a card.)

Complete guide

Curator of Mysteries is a powerful Sphinx that rewards you for filtering through your deck. Whether you are discarding to fuel a spell or cycling cards to find answers, this creature ensures you stay one step ahead of your opponent with constant Scry triggers.

Filtering the Future

The primary function of Curator of Mysteries is its triggered ability that occurs whenever you cycle or discard another card. While it has its own Cycling ability for {U}, it shines when it remains on the battlefield to observe other cards leaving your hand. Each time you discard, you Scry 1, looking at the top card of your library and deciding whether to keep it there or put it on the bottom.

Resolution and Timing

When you cycle a card, the Scry 1 ability from Curator of Mysteries triggers and is put on the stack on top of the Cycling ability's draw effect. This means you will always resolve the Scry before you actually draw the card from the cycling cost. If you discard multiple cards at once, such as during your cleanup step when discarding down to your maximum hand size, each discarded card triggers a separate Scry 1 instance.

Common Pitfalls

A common misconception is that this card allows you to discard whenever you want; it does not. You must have another effect or a keyword like Cycling to initiate the discard. Additionally, even though the text says 'cycle or discard,' a single cycled card only triggers the ability once. The mention of cycling is strictly for clarity, as cycling inherently involves discarding a card.

When to Deploy

Play Curator of Mysteries early if you have a hand full of cycling cards to maximize your card selection. Because it has Flying and a solid 4/4 stat line, it also serves as a reliable mid-game threat. If you find yourself in a situation where the board state is stalled, you can cycle the Curator itself for a single Blue mana to dig for a more impactful spell.

Interaction examples

Double Vision with the Throne

Roaming Throne

With Roaming Throne on the battlefield naming 'Sphinx', every time you discard a card, the Curator of Mysteries' ability triggers twice. This allows you to Scry 1, then Scry 1 again, providing immense control over your next draw.

Cycling Sequence

If you have Curator of Mysteries on the battlefield and you activate the Cycling ability of another card in your hand, the Scry 1 trigger goes on the stack above the 'Draw a card' effect. You will look at the top card of your library, choose to keep or move it, and then draw your card.

Maximum Hand Size Cleanup

Solemn Simulacrum

If you have 8 cards in hand during your cleanup step and discard Solemn Simulacrum to meet the hand size limit of 7, Curator of Mysteries triggers. You will Scry 1 during the cleanup step. Because an ability triggered, players gain priority to act, and a second cleanup step will occur afterward.

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

How it works : Curator of Mysteries

Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall

#1April 18, 2017· Wizards of the Coast
Some cards have an ability that triggers whenever you cycle any card. These triggered abilities resolve before you draw from the cycling ability.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#2April 18, 2017· Wizards of the Coast
An ability that triggers whenever you discard a card doesn't give you permission to discard cards. You'll need another effect that instructs or allows you to discard them.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#3April 18, 2017· Wizards of the Coast
An ability that triggers whenever you “cycle or discard” a card triggers only once if you cycle a card. The ability “Whenever you discard a card” is functionally identical to this ability; cycling is mentioned for clarity.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#4April 18, 2017· Wizards of the Coast
If a player discards a card during their cleanup step due to having too many cards in hand, any appropriate abilities that trigger on discarding that card trigger. If this happens, those triggered abilities are put onto the stack and players receive priority in that cleanup step to cast spells or activate abilities (normally, no players may take actions during a cleanup step). Another cleanup step is created following that one.
No other card is named in this ruling.