Fathom Fleet Swordjack — ruling 1

If an effect stops a token from attacking a specific player, that token can attack any player, planeswalker, or battle, or not attack at all. If the effect stops the token from attacking a specific player unless a cost is paid, you don't have to pay that cost unless you want to attack that player.

Fathom Fleet Swordjack — ruling 2

Exiling the card with encore is a cost to activate the ability. Once you announce that you're activating it, no player may take actions until you've finished. They can't try to remove the card from your graveyard to stop you from paying the cost.

Fathom Fleet Swordjack — ruling 3

Opponents who have left the game aren't counted when determining how many tokens to create.

Fathom Fleet Swordjack — ruling 4

The tokens copy only what's on the original card. Effects that modified that creature when it was previously on the battlefield won't be copied.

Fathom Fleet Swordjack — ruling 5

If Fathom Fleet Swordjack leaves the battlefield after its triggered ability triggers but before it resolves, the ability will resolve as normal. The player or planeswalker it was attacking will be dealt damage. On the other hand, if it remains on the battlefield but leaves combat before its triggered ability resolves, no player or planeswalker is dealt damage.

Fathom Fleet Swordjack — ruling 6

If one of the tokens can't attack for any reason (such as being tapped), then it doesn't attack. If there's a cost associated with having it attack, you aren't forced to pay that cost, so it doesn't have to attack in that case either.

Fathom Fleet Swordjack — ruling 7

If one of the tokens somehow is under another player's control as the delayed triggered ability resolves, you can't sacrifice that token. It remains on the battlefield indefinitely, even if you regain control of it later.

Fathom Fleet Swordjack — ruling 8

Each token must attack the appropriate player if able.

Fathom Fleet Swordjack : règles, fonctionnement et interactions (MTG)

Fathom Fleet Swordjack 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 this creature attacks, it deals damage to the player or planeswalker it's attacking equal to the number of artifacts you control. Encore (, Exile this card from your graveyard: For each opponent, create a token copy that attacks that opponent this turn if able. They gain haste. Sacrifice them at the beginning of the next end step. Activate only as a sorcery.)

How it works : Fathom Fleet Swordjack

Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall

#1July 28, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
If an effect stops a token from attacking a specific player, that token can attack any player, planeswalker, or battle, or not attack at all. If the effect stops the token from attacking a specific player unless a cost is paid, you don't have to pay that cost unless you want to attack that player.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#2November 10, 2020· Wizards of the Coast
Exiling the card with encore is a cost to activate the ability. Once you announce that you're activating it, no player may take actions until you've finished. They can't try to remove the card from your graveyard to stop you from paying the cost.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#3November 10, 2020· Wizards of the Coast
Opponents who have left the game aren't counted when determining how many tokens to create.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#4November 10, 2020· Wizards of the Coast
The tokens copy only what's on the original card. Effects that modified that creature when it was previously on the battlefield won't be copied.
Card named in this ruling
Copy
#5November 10, 2020· Wizards of the Coast
If Fathom Fleet Swordjack leaves the battlefield after its triggered ability triggers but before it resolves, the ability will resolve as normal. The player or planeswalker it was attacking will be dealt damage. On the other hand, if it remains on the battlefield but leaves combat before its triggered ability resolves, no player or planeswalker is dealt damage.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#6November 10, 2020· Wizards of the Coast
If one of the tokens can't attack for any reason (such as being tapped), then it doesn't attack. If there's a cost associated with having it attack, you aren't forced to pay that cost, so it doesn't have to attack in that case either.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#7November 10, 2020· Wizards of the Coast
If one of the tokens somehow is under another player's control as the delayed triggered ability resolves, you can't sacrifice that token. It remains on the battlefield indefinitely, even if you regain control of it later.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#8November 10, 2020· Wizards of the Coast
Each token must attack the appropriate player if able.
No other card is named in this ruling.