Ghalta and Mavren — ruling 1

For both modes, the value of X is determined as the ability resolves.

Ghalta and Mavren — ruling 2

If you choose the first mode and there are no other attacking creatures, you’ll create a 0/0 Dinosaur token. Unless something else is immediately raising its toughness, the token will die. You won’t have time to respond with a spell or ability to try and save it. A similar situation occurs if the greatest power among other attacking creatures is 0 or less.

Ghalta and Mavren — ruling 3

Although the Dinosaur token enters the battlefield attacking, it was never declared as an attacking creature (for the purposes of abilities that trigger whenever a creature attacks, for example).

Ghalta and Mavren — ruling 4

You choose which player, planeswalker, or battle the Dinosaur token is attacking. It doesn’t have to be the same player, planeswalker, or battle that Ghalta and Mavren is attacking.

Ghalta and Mavren — ruling 5

If you choose the second mode and there are no other attacking creatures, you won’t create any Vampire tokens.

Ghalta and Mavren : règles, fonctionnement et interactions (MTG)

Ghalta and Mavren 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

Trample Whenever you attack, choose one — • Create a tapped and attacking X/X green Dinosaur creature token with trample, where X is the greatest power among other attacking creatures. • Create X 1/1 white Vampire creature tokens with lifelink, where X is the number of other attacking creatures.

Complete guide

Ghalta and Mavren represent an unlikely alliance from Ixalan, combining the raw power of Dinosaurs with the numerical superiority of Vampires. This massive 12/12 creature provides incredible value every time you declare an attack, allowing you to go wide or go tall depending on your current board state.

Choosing Your Army

Ghalta and Mavren has a triggered ability that triggers whenever you attack. It is important to note that the ability triggers when you declare attackers during the Declare Attackers step. You must choose one of two modes: creating a single large Dinosaur token or multiple small Vampire tokens. This choice is made when the ability is put onto the stack, but the value of 'X' for either mode is not checked until the ability actually resolves.

The Dinosaur Token Mechanics

If you choose the first mode, you create a tapped and attacking X/X Dinosaur. Because this token enters the battlefield already attacking, it does not trigger 'whenever a creature attacks' abilities, as it was never 'declared' as an attacker. You are free to choose which player, planeswalker, or battle the Dinosaur is attacking; it does not need to follow Ghalta and Mavren's lead.

Scaling with Power and Number

The second mode scales with the number of other creatures you have attacking. If Ghalta and Mavren attacks alone, X will be 0. For the first mode, this results in a 0/0 Dinosaur that will die immediately due to state-based actions before you can cast spells to buff it. For the second mode, you simply create zero Vampire tokens. Always ensure you have at least one other creature attacking to get value from these triggers.

When to Play Ghalta and Mavren

Ghalta and Mavren is a finisher. With 12 power and trample, they are a threat on their own, but they excel in decks that already have established boards. Use them when you can capitalize on a high-power creature already in play or when you have a swarm of tokens that can be doubled in size through the Vampire mode.

Interaction examples

The Behemoth's Charge

Ghalta and Mavren

Craterhoof Behemoth

If you attack with both Ghalta and Mavren and Craterhoof Behemoth, the Behemoth likely provided a massive power boost to your team. When the Ghalta and Mavren trigger resolves, if you choose the first mode, X will be the power of the Behemoth (which includes its own +X/+X buff). You will create a massive Dinosaur token that is also tapped and attacking.

Tokens into Vampires

Ghalta and Mavren

Avenger of Zendikar

After playing Avenger of Zendikar and several lands, you may have many Plant tokens. If you attack with Ghalta and Mavren and five Plant tokens, you can choose the second mode. As the ability resolves, it counts the five attacking Plants. You will create five 1/1 white Vampire creature tokens with lifelink. Note that these Vampires are NOT attacking, as the second mode does not specify they enter attacking.

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

How it works : Ghalta and Mavren

Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall

#1April 14, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
For both modes, the value of X is determined as the ability resolves.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#2April 14, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
If you choose the first mode and there are no other attacking creatures, you’ll create a 0/0 Dinosaur token. Unless something else is immediately raising its toughness, the token will die. You won’t have time to respond with a spell or ability to try and save it. A similar situation occurs if the greatest power among other attacking creatures is 0 or less.
Card named in this ruling
Dinosaur
#3April 14, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
Although the Dinosaur token enters the battlefield attacking, it was never declared as an attacking creature (for the purposes of abilities that trigger whenever a creature attacks, for example).
Card named in this ruling
Dinosaur
#4April 14, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
You choose which player, planeswalker, or battle the Dinosaur token is attacking. It doesn’t have to be the same player, planeswalker, or battle that Ghalta and Mavren is attacking.
Card named in this ruling
Dinosaur
#5April 14, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
If you choose the second mode and there are no other attacking creatures, you won’t create any Vampire tokens.
Card named in this ruling
Vampire