Grell Philosopher — ruling 1

Grell Philosopher causes Horrors to gain only activated abilities. They don't gain keyword abilities (unless those keyword abilities are activated), triggered abilities, or static abilities.

Grell Philosopher — ruling 2

The granted abilities effectively use “this permanent” rather than “[that card's name],” so you treat the abilities as if they were printed on the creature that gained the ability. For example, say the artifact was Universal Solvent, which has the ability “{7}, {T}, Sacrifice Universal Solvent: Destroy target permanent.” If Grell Philosopher gained that ability, you'd treat it as though it said “{7}, {T}, Sacrifice Grell Philosopher: Destroy target permanent.”

Grell Philosopher — ruling 3

Activated abilities contain a colon. They're generally written “[Cost]: [Effect].” Some keywords are activated abilities and will have colons in their reminder text.

Grell Philosopher : règles, fonctionnement et interactions (MTG)

Grell Philosopher 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

Aberrant Tinkering — When this creature enters and at the beginning of your upkeep, each Horror you control gains all activated abilities of target artifact an opponent controls until end of turn. You may spend blue mana as though it were mana of any color to activate those abilities.

Complete guide

Grell Philosopher is a cunning Horror Wizard that allows your eldritch minions to siphon the power of your opponent's technology. By tapping into 'Aberrant Tinkering,' your entire Horror brood can mimic the utility of target artifacts, turning your enemy's tools against them. This guide explains how to master these stolen abilities and clarify what exactly your Horrors can and cannot do.

What It Does

When Grell Philosopher enters the battlefield or at the start of your upkeep, you target one artifact an opponent controls. Every Horror you control then gains every activated ability of that artifact until the end of the turn. An activated ability is always written as '[Cost]: [Effect].' Note that Grell Philosopher also grants you a special mana fix, allowing you to spend blue mana as if it were mana of any color specifically to pay for these newly acquired abilities.

How It Resolves Step by Step

First, the ability triggers and you choose a target artifact controlled by an opponent. Upon resolution, the game checks every creature you control with the 'Horror' type. Each of these creatures gains the activated abilities of the target artifact. If an ability refers to the artifact by name, such as 'Sacrifice [Artifact Name],' the Horror treats it as 'Sacrifice this permanent.' This effect lasts only until the end of the current turn.

Common Mistakes

A frequent error is trying to copy triggered abilities or static effects. Grell Philosopher only copies activated abilities (those with a colon). It does not copy 'When this enters' effects or 'All creatures get +1/+1' effects. Additionally, if the target artifact leaves the battlefield before the ability resolves, the ability will fizzle and your Horrors will gain nothing. However, if the artifact leaves after the ability has resolved, your Horrors keep the stolen abilities until the end of the turn.

When to Play It

Grell Philosopher is most effective when your opponent relies on high-impact utility artifacts, like mana rocks or artifacts with powerful tap abilities. Because it triggers on both entry and upkeep, it provides a consistent way to turn your Horrors into versatile tools. It is particularly strong in decks that can protect their creatures, ensuring your Horrors stay on the board to keep using those stolen powers.

Interaction examples

Copying Mana Abilities

Solemn Simulacrum

If your opponent controls Solemn Simulacrum, Grell Philosopher's ability will trigger, but your Horrors will gain nothing. This is because Solemn Simulacrum only has triggered abilities (starting with 'When'). Since it has no activated abilities (formatted as Cost: Effect), your Horrors do not inherit any powers from it.

Doubling Up with the Throne

Roaming Throne

If you control Roaming Throne and chose 'Horror' as its type, it is a Horror and will gain abilities from an opponent's artifact. Furthermore, because Roaming Throne is a Horror, Grell Philosopher's 'Aberrant Tinkering' (a triggered ability of a Horror) will trigger twice. This allows you to target two different artifacts, giving all your Horrors the activated abilities of both!

The Solo Philosopher

When Grell Philosopher enters an empty board, it targets an opponent's artifact, such as a mana rock. Because Grell Philosopher is itself a Horror, it gains the ability to tap for mana. You can then use blue mana to pay for any color requirements that artifact might have had, effectively turning your Wizard into a mana producer for the turn.

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

How it works : Grell Philosopher

Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall

#1June 10, 2022· Wizards of the Coast
Grell Philosopher causes Horrors to gain only activated abilities. They don't gain keyword abilities (unless those keyword abilities are activated), triggered abilities, or static abilities.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#2June 10, 2022· Wizards of the Coast
The granted abilities effectively use “this permanent” rather than “[that card's name],” so you treat the abilities as if they were printed on the creature that gained the ability. For example, say the artifact was Universal Solvent, which has the ability “, , Sacrifice Universal Solvent: Destroy target permanent.” If Grell Philosopher gained that ability, you'd treat it as though it said “, , Sacrifice Grell Philosopher: Destroy target permanent.”
No other card is named in this ruling.
#3June 10, 2022· Wizards of the Coast
Activated abilities contain a colon. They're generally written “[Cost]: [Effect].” Some keywords are activated abilities and will have colons in their reminder text.
No other card is named in this ruling.