Doors of Durin — ruling 1

If the creature put onto the battlefield this way is a Dwarf and/or Elf, Doors of Durin will see it when checking whether you control a Dwarf or Elf.

Doors of Durin : règles, fonctionnement et interactions (MTG)

Doors of Durin 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

Whenever you attack, scry 2, then you may reveal the top card of your library. If a creature card is revealed this way, put it onto the battlefield tapped and attacking. Until your next turn, it gains trample if you control a Dwarf and hexproof if you control an Elf.

Complete guide

Doors of Durin is a powerful legendary artifact that turns every attack into a potential reinforcement from your library. By combining the foresight of scrying with the raw power of cheating creatures into play, it represents the legendary gateway of Moria. This card is a must-play for decks that want to keep the pressure on while filtering their draws.

What it does

Whenever you declare an attack, Doors of Durin triggers to let you look at the top two cards of your library. After you scry 2, you have the option to reveal the top card. If that card is a creature, it enters the battlefield already tapped and attacking. Furthermore, the new creature gains trample if you control a Dwarf and hexproof if you control an Elf until your next turn.

How it resolves step by step

First, the ability triggers as soon as you declare one or more creatures as attackers during your Declare Attackers step. Second, you perform the scry 2, allowing you to keep a creature on top or dig for one. Third, you choose whether to reveal the top card; if it is a creature, you place it on the battlefield. Finally, the game checks your board for Dwarves or Elves to apply the relevant keywords to that creature.

Common Mistakes

A common mistake is forgetting that the creature put onto the battlefield counts itself for the keyword check. If you reveal a creature that is also an Elf, it will grant itself hexproof immediately. Also, keep in mind that since the creature is 'put onto the battlefield attacking,' it never actually triggered any 'whenever this creature attacks' abilities, as it missed the moment attackers were declared.

When to play it

Doors of Durin shines best in mid-range decks with high creature counts. It is especially effective when you have ways to manipulate the top of your library or when you are running tribal Elf or Dwarf themes to maximize the defensive and offensive buffs provided to the incoming creature.

Interaction examples

Ramping with the Doors

Solemn Simulacrum

You attack with a creature and trigger Doors of Durin. You scry 2 and leave Solemn Simulacrum on top. You reveal it, and it enters the battlefield tapped and attacking. Because it entered the battlefield, its ability triggers, allowing you to search for a basic land card and put it onto the battlefield tapped.

Attacking with Non-Creatures

The One Ring

If you have The One Ring on the battlefield, it provides no direct synergy with the creature-cheating aspect of Doors of Durin. However, the card draw from The One Ring can help you find the creatures you need, while the scry 2 from Doors of Durin helps ensure you don't draw useless lands with The One Ring's activated ability.

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

How it works : Doors of Durin

Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall

#1June 16, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
If the creature put onto the battlefield this way is a Dwarf and/or Elf, Doors of Durin will see it when checking whether you control a Dwarf or Elf.
No other card is named in this ruling.