Gollum, Patient Plotter — ruling 1

As the Ring tempts you, you get an emblem named The Ring if you don't have one. Then your emblem gains its next ability and you choose a creature you control to become (or remain) your Ring-bearer.

Gollum, Patient Plotter — ruling 2

The Ring can tempt you even if you don't control a creature. In this case, abilities that trigger "whenever the Ring tempts you" will still trigger.

Gollum, Patient Plotter — ruling 3

If the creature you choose as your Ring-bearer was already your Ring-bearer, that still counts as choosing that creature as your Ring-bearer for the purpose of abilities that trigger "whenever you choose a creature as your Ring-bearer" or abilities that care about which creature was chosen as your Ring-bearer.

Gollum, Patient Plotter — ruling 4

The Ring gains its abilities in order from top to bottom. Once it gains an ability, it has that ability for the rest of the game.

Gollum, Patient Plotter — ruling 5

Each time the Ring tempts you, you must choose a creature if you control one.

Gollum, Patient Plotter — ruling 6

Each player can have only one emblem named The Ring and only one Ring-bearer at a time.

Gollum, Patient Plotter — ruling 7

Some spells and abilities that cause the Ring to tempt you may require targets. If each target chosen is an illegal target as that spell or ability tries to resolve, it won't resolve. The Ring won't tempt you.

Gollum, Patient Plotter : règles, fonctionnement et interactions (MTG)

Gollum, Patient Plotter 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

When Gollum leaves the battlefield, the Ring tempts you. , Sacrifice a creature: Return this card from your graveyard to your hand. Activate only as a sorcery.

Complete guide

Gollum, Patient Plotter is a resilient creature that ensures the Ring's influence remains constant throughout your game. By utilizing his ability to return from the graveyard, you can repeatedly trigger his leave-the-battlefield effect. This guide will help you master the mechanics of the Ring and Gollum's recursive nature.

Leaving the Battlefield and the Ring

Gollum, Patient Plotter features a triggered ability that occurs whenever he leaves the battlefield. This means whether he dies, is exiled, or is returned to your hand, the Ring tempts you. If you don't already have an emblem named The Ring, you get one. The emblem then gains its next ability in order from top to bottom, and you must choose a creature you control to become your Ring-bearer.

Graveyard Recursion Step-by-Step

To return Gollum to your hand, follow these steps during your main phase while the stack is empty: First, pay one black mana. Second, sacrifice a creature you control as a cost. This can be another creature or even a second copy of Gollum if one is on the battlefield. Finally, the ability resolves and Gollum, Patient Plotter moves from your graveyard to your hand. Remember, this is a sorcery-speed ability, so you cannot use it during an opponent's turn or in response to a spell.

The Ring-bearer Choice

Every time the Ring tempts you via Gollum's departure, you must choose a creature you control to be your Ring-bearer if you have one. If you control no creatures, the Ring still tempts you and progresses its abilities, but you simply won't have a Ring-bearer. If you choose the same creature that was already your Ring-bearer, it still counts as being chosen, which may trigger other abilities.

When to Plot Your Move

Gollum is best used as a sacrifice outlet or a repeatable blocker. Since he provides value upon leaving the battlefield, you should look for ways to sacrifice him to his own ability or other effects to ensure the Ring reaches its full potential. The Ring's later abilities, such as forcing opponents to sacrifice blockers or dealing direct damage, can quickly end a game.

Interaction examples

Self-Sacrifice Synergy

Gollum, Patient Plotter

Ornithopter of Paradise

With Gollum in your graveyard and Ornithopter of Paradise on the battlefield, you can pay one black mana and sacrifice Ornithopter of Paradise to Gollum's activated ability. Gollum returns to your hand, and because the Ornithopter left the battlefield, you have effectively traded a mana-producing creature for your legendary Halfling to cast again.

Draining the Opposition

Gollum, Patient Plotter

Blood Artist

If you have Blood Artist and Gollum, Patient Plotter on the battlefield, you can sacrifice Gollum to another effect. This triggers both Blood Artist (draining 1 life) and Gollum's leave-the-battlefield ability. The Ring tempts you, making Blood Artist your Ring-bearer, which now gains 'legendary' and cannot be blocked by creatures with greater power.

Advancing The Ring

Gollum, Patient Plotter

The Ring // The Ring Tempts You

When Gollum, Patient Plotter is destroyed by an opponent, his ability triggers. If this is the second time the Ring has tempted you this game, your 'The Ring' emblem gains the ability: 'Whenever your Ring-bearer attacks, draw a card, then discard a card.' You then choose a remaining creature to carry this new benefit.

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

How it works : Gollum, Patient Plotter

Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall

#1June 16, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
As the Ring tempts you, you get an emblem named The Ring if you don't have one. Then your emblem gains its next ability and you choose a creature you control to become (or remain) your Ring-bearer.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#2June 16, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
The Ring can tempt you even if you don't control a creature. In this case, abilities that trigger "whenever the Ring tempts you" will still trigger.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#3June 16, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
If the creature you choose as your Ring-bearer was already your Ring-bearer, that still counts as choosing that creature as your Ring-bearer for the purpose of abilities that trigger "whenever you choose a creature as your Ring-bearer" or abilities that care about which creature was chosen as your Ring-bearer.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#4June 16, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
The Ring gains its abilities in order from top to bottom. Once it gains an ability, it has that ability for the rest of the game.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#5June 16, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
Each time the Ring tempts you, you must choose a creature if you control one.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#6June 16, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
Each player can have only one emblem named The Ring and only one Ring-bearer at a time.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#7June 16, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
Some spells and abilities that cause the Ring to tempt you may require targets. If each target chosen is an illegal target as that spell or ability tries to resolve, it won't resolve. The Ring won't tempt you.
No other card is named in this ruling.