Eladamri, Korvecdal — ruling 1

You can look at the top card of your library whenever you want (with one restriction; see below), even if you don't have priority. This action doesn't use the stack. Knowing what that card is becomes part of the information you have access to, just like you can look at the cards in your hand.

Eladamri, Korvecdal — ruling 2

If the top card of your library changes while you're casting a spell, playing a land, or activating an ability, you can't look at the new top card until you finish doing so. This means that if you cast a spell from the top of your library, you can't look at the next one until you're done paying for that spell.

Eladamri, Korvecdal — ruling 3

You must pay all costs and follow all timing rules for spells cast from the top of your library this way.

Eladamri, Korvecdal — ruling 4

Because you never "cast" a land card, Eladamri, Korvecdal doesn't allow you to play a land creature (such as Dryad Arbor) from the top of your library.

Eladamri, Korvecdal : règles, fonctionnement et interactions (MTG)

Eladamri, Korvecdal 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

You may look at the top card of your library any time. You may cast creature spells from the top of your library. , , Tap two untapped creatures you control: Reveal a card from your hand or the top card of your library. If you reveal a creature card this way, put it onto the battlefield. Activate only during your turn.

Complete guide

Eladamri, Korvecdal is a powerhouse for creature-based strategies, offering both card advantage and a way to cheat high-cost threats into play. By turning your library into an extended hand and providing a unique way to put creatures directly onto the battlefield, this Elf Warrior keeps the pressure on your opponents. Understanding how to manage the top of your deck is key to mastering this legendary leader.

Eyes on the Horizon

Eladamri provides a continuous effect that allows you to look at the top card of your library at any time, even if you do not have priority. This information is private to you and does not use the stack. Furthermore, you may cast creature spells from the top of your library. While doing so, you must still follow all timing rules and pay all required costs, including mana and additional costs. Note that you cannot play land creatures like Dryad Arbor this way, as Eladamri specifically specifies 'casting' spells.

Activating the Call

Eladamri's activated ability costs one Green mana, tapping Eladamri, and tapping two other untapped creatures you control. This ability can only be activated during your turn. Upon resolution, you choose to reveal either a card from your hand or the top card of your library. If the revealed card is a creature card, you put it directly onto the battlefield. Because the reveal happens during resolution, your opponents won't know which card you've chosen to reveal until the ability is already resolving.

Timing and Restrictions

A common mistake involves looking at the next card too early. If you are casting a creature from the top of your library, you cannot look at the card beneath it until you have finished paying for the current spell. Additionally, remember that Eladamri's cheat ability requires two other creatures to be untapped; you cannot tap Eladamri twice to satisfy the cost of its own ability. Finally, if you reveal a non-creature card during the resolution of the activated ability, the card simply stays where it was (either in your hand or on top of your library).

Strategic Deployment

Use Eladamri when you have a board full of utility creatures that no longer need to attack. By tapping smaller creatures, you can bypass counterspells and high mana costs to drop massive threats. It is also excellent for clearing land clumps from the top of your deck; if you see a creature on top, cast it to reveal the next card, potentially finding the land you need for your turn.

Interaction examples

Ramping into the Unknown

Sakura-Tribe Elder

With Eladamri on the battlefield, you see Sakura-Tribe Elder on top of your library. You cast it by paying one Green and one generic mana. Once it enters the battlefield, you can immediately sacrifice it to search for a land. This shuffles your library, effectively 'scrying' for a new creature that Eladamri can then help you cast or cheat into play.

The Golem Cheat

Solemn Simulacrum

Suppose you have Eladamri and two other creatures ready to act. You look at the top of your library and see Solemn Simulacrum. You pay one Green mana, tap Eladamri, and tap your two other creatures. You choose to reveal the top card of your library. Since Solemn Simulacrum is a creature card, it enters the battlefield directly. You then get to search for a basic land, and the subsequent shuffle gives you a fresh card on top of your library to look at.

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

How it works : Eladamri, Korvecdal

Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall

#1June 7, 2024· Wizards of the Coast
You can look at the top card of your library whenever you want (with one restriction; see below), even if you don't have priority. This action doesn't use the stack. Knowing what that card is becomes part of the information you have access to, just like you can look at the cards in your hand.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#2June 7, 2024· Wizards of the Coast
If the top card of your library changes while you're casting a spell, playing a land, or activating an ability, you can't look at the new top card until you finish doing so. This means that if you cast a spell from the top of your library, you can't look at the next one until you're done paying for that spell.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#3June 7, 2024· Wizards of the Coast
You must pay all costs and follow all timing rules for spells cast from the top of your library this way.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#4June 7, 2024· Wizards of the Coast
Because you never "cast" a land card, Eladamri, Korvecdal doesn't allow you to play a land creature (such as Dryad Arbor) from the top of your library.
No other card is named in this ruling.