Grand Arbiter Augustin IV 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
White spells you cast costless to cast. Blue spells you cast cost
Complete guide
Grand Arbiter Augustin IV is a powerful Legendary Creature that exerts massive tax pressure on your opponents while accelerating your own game plan. By manipulating the mana costs of every spell played, he shifts the tempo of the match dramatically in your favor. Understanding how his cost reductions stack is key to maximizing his efficiency.
Three Layers of Influence
Augustin provides three distinct static abilities that modify casting costs. The first two reduce the costs of your White and Blue spells by {1} respectively. If a spell is both White and Blue, these reductions stack, making the spell {2} cheaper. The third ability acts as a universal tax, forcing every opponent to pay {1} more for every spell they cast, regardless of color or spell type.
How Costs are Calculated
To determine the total cost of a spell, start with the mana cost or an alternative cost. Apply any cost augmentations first (like Augustin's tax on opponents), then apply any cost reductions (like Augustin's discount for you). Finally, apply effects that set the cost to a specific amount. Note that Augustin only reduces generic mana requirements; he cannot reduce colored mana symbols like {W} or {U}.
Common Pitfalls
A common mistake is forgetting that Augustin's tax applies to all spells, including artifacts and creatures, even if they have no color. Additionally, players often overlook that the tax also applies to spells cast for alternative costs or for 'free' via other effects. If an effect says an opponent may cast a spell without paying its mana cost, Augustin still forces them to pay {1} generic mana.
When to Deploy the Arbiter
Grand Arbiter Augustin IV is most effective when you have a hand full of multicolored spells or when your opponent is relying on a 'curved out' strategy. By landing him on turn four, you effectively set your opponents back a full turn in mana development while potentially allowing you to cast multiple spells on your following turn that would otherwise be unaffordable.
Interaction examples
If you have Grand Arbiter Augustin IV on the battlefield and attempt to cast a spell that is both Blue and White, both of his reduction abilities apply. A spell with a mana cost of {1}{W}{U} will only cost {W}{U} because the {1} generic mana is removed by the overlapping White and Blue discounts.
Solemn SimulacrumWhile you control Grand Arbiter Augustin IV, your opponent attempts to cast Solemn Simulacrum. Even though Solemn Simulacrum is a colorless artifact creature, it is still a 'spell' being cast. The total cost for your opponent to cast it will be {4} plus the {1} tax from Augustin, totaling {5} mana.
Roaming ThroneRoaming Throne is a colorless artifact creature spell. If you cast it while you control Augustin, you do not receive a discount because it is neither Blue nor White. However, if your opponent casts Roaming Throne, they must pay {1} extra. Note that Roaming Throne's triggered ability doubling does not affect Augustin's static cost-shifting abilities, as they are not triggered abilities.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Grand Arbiter Augustin IV
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
Spells you cast that are both blue and white cost
less to cast.No other card is named in this ruling.
- #2· Wizards of the Coast
This reduces only generic mana portion of mana costs. A spell you cast with mana cost
will cost to cast.No other card is named in this ruling.
Popular combos
Real combos played by the community, sorted by popularity.
Appa, Steadfast Guardian + Restoration Angel + Pearl Medallion + Grand Arbiter Augustin IV
- 1Cast Appa by paying
- 2When Appa enters, its first ability triggers, exiling Restoration Angel with the ability to cast it later from exile.
- 3Cast Restoration Angel from exile by paying
. - 4Appa's second ability triggers, creating a 1/1 Ally creature token
- 5When Restoration Angel enters, it triggers, blinking Appa.
- 6Repeat from step 2.
Appa, Steadfast Guardian + Restoration Angel + Grand Arbiter Augustin IV + Stormscape Familiar
- 1Cast Appa by paying
- 2When Appa enters, its first ability triggers, exiling Restoration Angel with the ability to cast it later from exile.
- 3Cast Restoration Angel from exile by paying .
- 4Appa's second ability triggers, creating a 1/1 Ally creature token
- 5When Restoration Angel enters, it triggers, blinking Appa.
- 6Repeat from step 2.
Appa, Steadfast Guardian + Felidar Guardian + Grand Arbiter Augustin IV + Stormscape Familiar
- 1Cast Appa by paying
- 2When Appa enters, its first ability triggers, exiling Felidar Guardian with the ability to cast it later from exile.
- 3Cast Felidar Guardian from exile by paying .
- 4Appa's second ability triggers, creating a 1/1 Ally creature token
- 5When Felidar Guardian enters, it triggers, blinking Appa.
- 6Repeat from step 2.
Appa, Steadfast Guardian + Icewind Stalwart + Grand Arbiter Augustin IV + Stormscape Familiar
- 1Cast Appa by paying
- 2When Appa enters, its first ability triggers, exiling Icewind Stalwart with the ability to cast it later from exile.
- 3Cast Icewind Stalwart from exile by paying .
- 4Appa's second ability triggers, creating a 1/1 Ally creature token
- 5When Icewind Stalwart enters, it triggers, blinking Appa.
- 6Repeat from step 2.
Appa, Steadfast Guardian + Pearl Medallion + Felidar Guardian + Grand Arbiter Augustin IV
- 1Cast Appa by paying
- 2When Appa enters, its first ability triggers, exiling Felidar Guardian with the ability to cast it later from exile.
- 3Cast Felidar Guardian from exile by paying .
- 4Appa's second ability triggers, creating a 1/1 Ally creature token
- 5When Felidar Guardian enters, it triggers, blinking Appa.
- 6Repeat from step 2.
Appa, Steadfast Guardian + Felidar Guardian + Grand Arbiter Augustin IV + Thornscape Familiar
- 1Cast Appa by paying
- 2When Appa enters, its first ability triggers, exiling Felidar Guardian with the ability to cast it later from exile.
- 3Cast Felidar Guardian from exile by paying .
- 4Appa's second ability triggers, creating a 1/1 Ally creature token
- 5When Felidar Guardian enters, it triggers, blinking Appa.
- 6Repeat from step 2.
Appa, Steadfast Guardian + Restoration Angel + Grand Arbiter Augustin IV + Thornscape Familiar
- 1Cast Appa by paying
- 2When Appa enters, its first ability triggers, exiling Restoration Angel with the ability to cast it later from exile.
- 3Cast Restoration Angel from exile by paying .
- 4Appa's second ability triggers, creating a 1/1 Ally creature token
- 5When Restoration Angel enters, it triggers, blinking Appa.
- 6Repeat from step 2.
Appa, Steadfast Guardian + Restoration Angel + Cloud Key + Grand Arbiter Augustin IV
- 1Cast Appa by paying
- 2When Appa enters, its first ability triggers, exiling Restoration Angel with the ability to cast it later from exile.
- 3Cast Restoration Angel from exile by paying .
- 4Appa's second ability triggers, creating a 1/1 Ally creature token
- 5When Restoration Angel enters, it triggers, blinking Appa.
- 6Repeat from step 2.
Legal formats
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