Domri, Anarch of Bolas — ruling 1

Because it's a loyalty ability, Domri's first loyalty ability isn't a mana ability. It can be activated only any time you could cast a sorcery. It uses the stack and can be responded to.

Domri, Anarch of Bolas — ruling 2

After Domri's first loyalty ability has resolved, no creature spells you cast can be countered during that turn, not just the one you spend the mana on.

Domri, Anarch of Bolas — ruling 3

A spell or ability that counters spells can still target a creature spell you control after Domri's first loyalty ability has resolved. When that spell or ability resolves, the creature spell won't be countered, but any additional effects of that spell or ability will still happen.

Domri, Anarch of Bolas — ruling 4

If Domri leaves the battlefield before his last ability resolves, most likely because he only had 2 loyalty when you activated the ability, the creature won't have +1/+0 from Domri's static ability while it fights.

Domri, Anarch of Bolas — ruling 5

If either target is an illegal target as Domri's last ability resolves, no creature will deal or be dealt damage.

Domri, Anarch of Bolas : règles, fonctionnement et interactions (MTG)

Domri, Anarch of Bolas 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

Creatures you control get +1/+0. +1: Add or . Creature spells you cast this turn can't be countered. −2: Target creature you control fights target creature you don't control.

Complete guide

Domri, Anarch of Bolas is a powerful three-mana planeswalker that fuels aggressive strategies while protecting your board. He provides a constant power boost to your creatures and ensures your finishers hit the battlefield without fear of disruption.

Understanding Domri's Abilities

Domri features a static ability that gives creatures you control +1/+0. His +1 ability adds either Red or Green mana and grants your creature spells protection from being countered for the rest of the turn. His -2 ability is a removal tool that allows a creature you control to fight a creature you don't control.

Step-by-Step Resolution

When you activate Domri's +1, it goes on the stack like any non-mana loyalty ability. Once it resolves, you choose a color of mana and gain a continuous effect that lasts the entire turn. This effect applies to every creature spell you cast that turn, regardless of whether you used Domri's mana to pay for it. For the -2 ability, you must choose two targets: a creature you control and one you don't. If either target becomes illegal before resolution, the fight does not happen and no damage is dealt.

Common Pitfalls

A common mistake is thinking the +1 ability is a mana ability that doesn't use the stack; because it is a loyalty ability, it can be responded to. Additionally, remember that while creature spells can't be countered, they can still be targeted by spells like Counterspell. The counterspell will simply fail to counter the creature, though any secondary effects of that spell will still resolve. Also, if Domri leaves the battlefield (perhaps by using his last 2 loyalty for the fight), your creature immediately loses the +1/+0 bonus before the fight occurs.

Strategic Play

Play Domri early to pressure opponents with the +1/+0 static buff. Use the +1 ability in your main phase to generate mana for a high-impact creature, ensuring it bypasses your opponent's blue disruption. Save the -2 ability for when you have a creature with high toughness or deathtouch to clear threats from the board.

Interaction examples

Beating Countermagic

You activate Domri's +1 ability and it resolves. Later that turn, you cast a creature. Your opponent casts a spell that says 'Counter target spell.' Even though the opponent's spell targets your creature, your creature spell is not countered and will enter the battlefield safely.

Fighting with Loyalty

You have Domri at 2 loyalty and a 2/2 creature. You activate Domri's -2 to fight an opponent's 2/2. Domri is put into the graveyard as a state-based action because he has 0 loyalty. When the ability resolves, your creature is now a 2/2 (losing the +1/+0 bonus), and it trades with the opponent's 2/2.

Planeswalker Synergy

Chandra, Torch of Defiance

With both on the battlefield, you can activate Chandra's +1 to add {R}{R} and Domri's +1 to add {G}. This gives you {R}{R}{G} to cast a large creature spell that cannot be countered, while your existing creatures benefit from Domri's +1/+0 power boost.

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

How it works : Domri, Anarch of Bolas

Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall

#1May 3, 2019· Wizards of the Coast
Because it's a loyalty ability, Domri's first loyalty ability isn't a mana ability. It can be activated only any time you could cast a sorcery. It uses the stack and can be responded to.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#2May 3, 2019· Wizards of the Coast
After Domri's first loyalty ability has resolved, no creature spells you cast can be countered during that turn, not just the one you spend the mana on.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#3May 3, 2019· Wizards of the Coast
A spell or ability that counters spells can still target a creature spell you control after Domri's first loyalty ability has resolved. When that spell or ability resolves, the creature spell won't be countered, but any additional effects of that spell or ability will still happen.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#4May 3, 2019· Wizards of the Coast
If Domri leaves the battlefield before his last ability resolves, most likely because he only had 2 loyalty when you activated the ability, the creature won't have +1/+0 from Domri's static ability while it fights.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#5May 3, 2019· Wizards of the Coast
If either target is an illegal target as Domri's last ability resolves, no creature will deal or be dealt damage.
No other card is named in this ruling.