Gwyllion Hedge-Mage 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 this creature enters, if you control two or more Plains, you may create a 1/1 white Kithkin Soldier creature token. When this creature enters, if you control two or more Swamps, you may put a -1/-1 counter on target creature.
Complete guide
Gwyllion Hedge-Mage is a versatile hybrid creature that rewards players for building their mana base with specific basic land types. Whether you need an extra body on the board or a way to shrink an opponent's threat, this Hag Wizard provides excellent value in Orzhov-colored decks.
Dual Requirements
Gwyllion Hedge-Mage has two separate triggered abilities that check for your land types upon entry. The first ability looks for two or more Plains to create a 1/1 white Kithkin Soldier token, while the second looks for two or more Swamps to place a -1/-1 counter on a target creature. Because these use intervening 'if' clauses, you must meet the land requirements both when the creature enters the battlefield and when the abilities resolve.
Stacking the Triggers
If you control at least two Plains and two Swamps when Gwyllion Hedge-Mage enters, both abilities trigger simultaneously. As the controller, you choose the order in which they are placed on the stack. Note that even if you don't intend to use the -1/-1 counter, you must still choose a legal target for that ability when it is put on the stack if one is available.
Intervening 'If' Clauses
Timing is everything with this creature. If an opponent destroys your lands in response to the triggers, such that you no longer control two of the required land type, that specific ability will do nothing upon resolution. Furthermore, if you do not have the required lands at the exact moment the Hedge-Mage enters, the abilities won't trigger at all, even if you somehow gain the lands immediately afterward.
When to Play It
Gwyllion Hedge-Mage is most effective in the mid-game once your mana base is established. It is particularly strong in decks utilizing dual lands with basic land types (like Godless Shrine), as a single land can count toward both the Plains and Swamp requirements, allowing you to trigger both effects with only two lands total.
Interaction examples
Kithkin SoldierIf you control two Plains and cast Gwyllion Hedge-Mage, its first ability triggers. Upon resolution, you choose to create a 1/1 white Kithkin Soldier creature token, effectively putting two bodies on the field for the price of one.
Solemn SimulacrumIf you currently control one Swamp and one Plains, you can play Solemn Simulacrum first to search for a second Swamp. Once that land is on the battlefield, you can then play Gwyllion Hedge-Mage to ensure the -1/-1 counter ability triggers successfully.
Roaming ThroneIf you have Roaming Throne on the battlefield with 'Hag' or 'Wizard' chosen as the creature type, Gwyllion Hedge-Mage entering will cause its abilities to trigger twice each (assuming you have the correct lands). This allows you to create two Kithkin Soldier tokens and place two -1/-1 counters.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Gwyllion Hedge-Mage
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
Each of the triggered abilities has an "intervening 'if' clause." That means (1) the ability won't trigger at all unless you control two or more lands of the appropriate land type when the Hedge-Mage enters, and (2) the ability will do nothing if you don't control two or more lands of the appropriate land type by the time it resolves.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #2· Wizards of the Coast
Both abilities trigger at the same time. You can put them on the stack in any order.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #3· Wizards of the Coast
Each of the triggered abilities look at your lands individually. This means that if you only control two dual-lands of the appropriate types, both of the abilities will trigger.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #4· Wizards of the Coast
Both abilities are optional; you choose whether to use them when they resolve. If an ability has a target, you must choose a target even if you don't plan to use the ability.
No other card is named in this ruling.
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