Emrakul, the Aeons Torn — ruling 1

Emrakul's second ability triggers as you cast it, and that ability resolves before the spell itself. It resolves even if that spell is somehow removed from the stack.

Emrakul, the Aeons Torn — ruling 2

Emrakul can be targeted by spells that try to counter it (such as Ionize). Those spells will resolve, but the part of their effect that would counter Emrakul won't do anything. Any other effects those spells have will work as normal.

Emrakul, the Aeons Torn — ruling 3

"Colored spells" is not synonymous with "colored cards." For example, even though creatures are spells when they're cast, they're not spells when they're on the battlefield and can block Emrakul; and triggered abilities of permanents entering the battlefield (such as that of Banishing Light) can target it.

Emrakul, the Aeons Torn — ruling 4

Emrakul can't be the target of colored Aura spells, but colored Auras can be put onto the battlefield enchanting it.

Emrakul, the Aeons Torn — ruling 5

Annihilator abilities trigger and resolve during the declare attackers step. The defending player chooses and sacrifices the required number of permanents before they declare blockers. Any creatures sacrificed this way won't be able to block.

Emrakul, the Aeons Torn — ruling 6

If a creature with annihilator is attacking a planeswalker, and the defending player chooses to sacrifice that planeswalker, the attacking creature continues to attack. It may be blocked. If it isn't blocked, it simply won't deal combat damage to anything.

Emrakul, the Aeons Torn : règles, fonctionnement et interactions (MTG)

Emrakul, the Aeons Torn 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

This spell can't be countered. When you cast this spell, take an extra turn after this one. Flying, protection from spells that are one or more colors, annihilator 6 When Emrakul is put into a graveyard from anywhere, its owner shuffles their graveyard into their library.

Complete guide

Emrakul, the Aeons Torn is one of the most feared creatures in the Multiverse, serving as a massive inevitable finisher for any deck that can generate fifteen mana. This legendary Eldrazi combines protection from most removal with a devastating attack trigger and a game-ending extra turn effect. Understanding how its cast trigger and protection interact with your opponent's board is key to mastering this titan.

A Spell Beyond Countering

When you cast Emrakul, its ability to grant an extra turn triggers immediately and goes on the stack on top of the creature spell itself. This trigger resolves even if Emrakul is removed from the stack by something like a 'taxing' effect. While Emrakul cannot be countered, it can still be targeted by spells like Ionize; the spell will resolve and deal damage, but Emrakul will remain on the stack. Furthermore, its protection only applies to spells, not to abilities of permanents already on the battlefield.

Annihilating the Opposition

The Annihilator 6 ability triggers the moment Emrakul is declared as an attacker. This happens during the Declare Attackers step, before the defending player has any chance to declare blockers. The defender must choose and sacrifice six permanents immediately. If they sacrifice a creature that they intended to use as a blocker, that creature is gone before it ever has a chance to stand in Emrakul's way.

The Graveyard Cycle

Emrakul features a 'shuffle-back' trigger that occurs whenever it is put into a graveyard from anywhere, including from the library or the hand. This is a triggered ability, meaning it can be responded to with graveyard exile effects. Unlike some other Eldrazi, this trigger shuffles the entire graveyard into the library, not just Emrakul itself, effectively making you immune to being milled out.

Interaction examples

Doubling the End Times

Roaming Throne

If you control Roaming Throne with 'Eldrazi' chosen as the creature type and you attack with Emrakul, the Aeons Torn, the Annihilator 6 ability triggers twice. This is because Roaming Throne is an artifact and its ability specifically doubles triggered abilities of the chosen type. Your opponent will be forced to sacrifice a total of 12 permanents during your Declare Attackers step.

Bypassing Protection

Solemn Simulacrum

While Emrakul has protection from spells that are one or more colors, it does not have protection from artifacts. A player can block Emrakul with Solemn Simulacrum because the Golem is a colorless creature, not a spell, once it is on the battlefield. When Solemn Simulacrum dies from this combat, its owner will still get to draw a card, even though it was destroyed by an Eldrazi titan.

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

How it works : Emrakul, the Aeons Torn

Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall

#1December 7, 2018· Wizards of the Coast
Emrakul's second ability triggers as you cast it, and that ability resolves before the spell itself. It resolves even if that spell is somehow removed from the stack.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#2December 7, 2018· Wizards of the Coast
Emrakul can be targeted by spells that try to counter it (such as Ionize). Those spells will resolve, but the part of their effect that would counter Emrakul won't do anything. Any other effects those spells have will work as normal.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#3December 7, 2018· Wizards of the Coast
"Colored spells" is not synonymous with "colored cards." For example, even though creatures are spells when they're cast, they're not spells when they're on the battlefield and can block Emrakul; and triggered abilities of permanents entering the battlefield (such as that of Banishing Light) can target it.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#4December 7, 2018· Wizards of the Coast
Emrakul can't be the target of colored Aura spells, but colored Auras can be put onto the battlefield enchanting it.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#5June 15, 2010· Wizards of the Coast
Annihilator abilities trigger and resolve during the declare attackers step. The defending player chooses and sacrifices the required number of permanents before they declare blockers. Any creatures sacrificed this way won't be able to block.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#6June 15, 2010· Wizards of the Coast
If a creature with annihilator is attacking a planeswalker, and the defending player chooses to sacrifice that planeswalker, the attacking creature continues to attack. It may be blocked. If it isn't blocked, it simply won't deal combat damage to anything.
No other card is named in this ruling.