Etali, Primal Storm — ruling 1

If an exiled card has {X} in its mana cost, you must choose 0 as the value of X when casting it without paying its mana cost.

Etali, Primal Storm — ruling 2

If you cast any of the exiled cards, you do so as part of the resolution of the triggered ability. You can't wait to cast them later in the turn. Timing permissions based on a card's type are ignored, and the spells resolve before blockers are declared.

Etali, Primal Storm — ruling 3

If you cast a card "without paying its mana cost," you can't pay any alternative costs. You can, however, pay additional costs. If the card has any mandatory additional costs, those must be paid to cast the card.

Etali, Primal Storm — ruling 4

If you cast more than one of the exiled cards, you choose the order in which to cast them. A spell you cast this way can be the target of a later spell you cast this way. However, permanent spells cast this way won't resolve until you're done casting spells, so the permanents they become can't be the target of spells cast this way. For example, if you exile Twincast and Lightning Strike, you can cast Lightning Strike and then cast Twincast targeting it; but if you exile a creature card and an Aura card, you can't cast that Aura targeting that creature.

Etali, Primal Storm — ruling 5

Any cards not cast, including land cards, remain in exile. They can't be cast on later turns, even if Etali attacks again.

Etali, Primal Storm — ruling 6

Because all attacking creatures are chosen at once, a creature cast this way can't attack during the same combat as Etali, even if it has haste.

Etali, Primal Storm — ruling 7

In a multiplayer game, if a player leaves the game, all cards that player owns leave as well. If you leave the game, any spells or permanents you control from Etali's ability are exiled.

Etali, Primal Storm : règles, fonctionnement et interactions (MTG)

Etali, Primal Storm 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 Etali attacks, exile the top card of each player's library, then you may cast any number of spells from among those cards without paying their mana costs.

Complete guide

Etali, Primal Storm is a massive Elder Dinosaur that turns the tide of battle by harvesting spells directly from the libraries of every player. By simply declaring an attack, you gain access to a potential windfall of free resources. This card exemplifies the chaotic power of Red, letting you use your opponents' best weapons against them.

Unpacking the Attack Trigger

When Etali, Primal Storm attacks, its ability triggers and goes on the stack. Upon resolution, you exile the top card of every player's library, including your own. You then have the option to cast any number of nonland cards from among those exiled cards without paying their mana costs. Because this happens during the resolution of the ability, you must cast them immediately; you cannot save them for later in the turn.

Timing and Restrictions

While casting these spells, you ignore normal timing restrictions based on card types, meaning you can cast sorceries or creatures during the declare attackers step. However, if a card has X in its mana cost, X must be 0. You also cannot pay alternative costs, but you must pay mandatory additional costs. Any cards you choose not to cast, or lands that cannot be cast, remain in exile indefinitely.

Order of Operations

If you choose to cast multiple spells, you decide the order in which they are put onto the stack. They will resolve one by one after the Etali trigger has finished resolving completely. It is important to note that permanents cast this way will not be on the battlefield until the Etali trigger finishes, so you cannot target a creature you just cast with an Aura you found in the same exile pile.

Interaction examples

Taking the Skies

Goldspan Dragon

You attack with Etali, Primal Storm and exile Goldspan Dragon from the top of your library. You choose to cast it for free. Goldspan Dragon enters the battlefield before blockers are declared, but because all attackers were already chosen during the 'Declare Attackers' step, the Dragon cannot attack this turn, even though it has haste.

Mental Pressure

Psychosis Crawler

Etali attacks and exiles Psychosis Crawler from an opponent's deck. You cast it immediately. The Crawler enters the battlefield before the combat damage step. If you have any effects that cause you to draw cards later in the turn, the Crawler will trigger, causing your opponents to lose life based on your hand size.

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

How it works : Etali, Primal Storm

Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall

#1March 19, 2021· Wizards of the Coast
If an exiled card has in its mana cost, you must choose 0 as the value of X when casting it without paying its mana cost.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#2March 19, 2021· Wizards of the Coast
If you cast any of the exiled cards, you do so as part of the resolution of the triggered ability. You can't wait to cast them later in the turn. Timing permissions based on a card's type are ignored, and the spells resolve before blockers are declared.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#3March 19, 2021· Wizards of the Coast
If you cast a card "without paying its mana cost," you can't pay any alternative costs. You can, however, pay additional costs. If the card has any mandatory additional costs, those must be paid to cast the card.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#4March 19, 2021· Wizards of the Coast
If you cast more than one of the exiled cards, you choose the order in which to cast them. A spell you cast this way can be the target of a later spell you cast this way. However, permanent spells cast this way won't resolve until you're done casting spells, so the permanents they become can't be the target of spells cast this way. For example, if you exile Twincast and Lightning Strike, you can cast Lightning Strike and then cast Twincast targeting it; but if you exile a creature card and an Aura card, you can't cast that Aura targeting that creature.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#5March 19, 2021· Wizards of the Coast
Any cards not cast, including land cards, remain in exile. They can't be cast on later turns, even if Etali attacks again.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#6March 19, 2021· Wizards of the Coast
Because all attacking creatures are chosen at once, a creature cast this way can't attack during the same combat as Etali, even if it has haste.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#7March 19, 2021· Wizards of the Coast
In a multiplayer game, if a player leaves the game, all cards that player owns leave as well. If you leave the game, any spells or permanents you control from Etali's ability are exiled.
No other card is named in this ruling.