Havengul Lich — ruling 1

Havengul Lich gains the activated abilities of the card as it existed in the graveyard while that card is still a spell on the stack.

Havengul Lich — ruling 2

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

Havengul Lich — ruling 3

Havengul Lich’s ability changes the zone you are permitted to cast the card from, not the times you are permitted to cast it. You can cast a creature card that has been targeted by Havengul Lich from the graveyard, but unless it has flash, you can only do so if it’s your main phase, the stack is empty, and you have priority.

Havengul Lich — ruling 4

Havengul Lich’s activated ability creates a delayed triggered ability that triggers when you cast the creature card. This triggered ability will go on the stack on top of the creature spell and will resolve before the creature spell will.

Havengul Lich — ruling 5

If you don’t cast the creature card that turn, Havengul Lich won’t gain any of its abilities.

Havengul Lich : règles, fonctionnement et interactions (MTG)

Havengul Lich 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

: You may cast target creature card in a graveyard this turn. When you cast it this turn, this creature gains all activated abilities of that card until end of turn.

Complete guide

Havengul Lich is a powerhouse in graveyard-centric decks, offering a unique blend of recursion and utility. By reaching into any graveyard, this Zombie Wizard not only brings creatures back to life but also borrows their powers for your own use. Mastering its timing and ability acquisition is key to dominating the late game.

Unlocking the Graveyard

Havengul Lich's activated ability costs one generic mana and targets a creature card in a graveyard. Once this ability resolves, it grants you permission to cast that card from the graveyard for the rest of the turn. Note that you still must pay all costs associated with casting that spell, including mana and any additional costs.

Borrowing Abilities

When you cast the targeted creature card, a delayed triggered ability goes on the stack. This trigger resolves before the creature spell itself, granting Havengul Lich all activated abilities of that card until end of turn. An activated ability is always formatted as 'Cost: Effect.' Static abilities and triggered abilities (which start with 'When', 'Whenever', or 'At') are not copied.

Timing and Restrictions

While Havengul Lich changes where you can cast a card from, it does not change when you can cast it. Unless the creature card has flash, you can only cast it during your main phase while the stack is empty. Additionally, if the creature card leaves the graveyard before you cast it, or if you simply choose not to cast it that turn, Havengul Lich will not gain any abilities.

Strategic Implementation

This card excels at creating loops or stealing powerful utility from opponents. Because the ability can target any graveyard, you can use your opponents' fallen heroes against them. It is most effective when you have an abundance of mana, allowing you to activate the Lich and cast the creature in the same turn.

Interaction examples

The Golem Loop

Solemn Simulacrum

You pay {1} to activate Havengul Lich targeting Solemn Simulacrum in your graveyard. You then pay {4} to cast Solemn Simulacrum. Because Solemn Simulacrum has no activated abilities (only 'When' triggers), Havengul Lich gains no new abilities, but the Simulacrum enters the battlefield, allowing you to search for a land.

Type Synergy and Triggers

Roaming Throne

If you target Roaming Throne in your graveyard with Havengul Lich and cast it, Havengul Lich gains nothing because Roaming Throne lacks activated abilities. However, if Roaming Throne is on the battlefield naming 'Zombie', it will cause Havengul Lich's delayed trigger (the one that grants abilities) to trigger twice, though this is redundant as it already gains all activated abilities from the first trigger.

Empty Hand Value

With no other cards in hand, you can spend {1} to target a creature in your graveyard. As long as you have the mana to pay the creature's cost, you effectively use your graveyard as an extension of your hand, keeping your board presence strong even during a resource stall.

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

How it works : Havengul Lich

Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall

#1October 4, 2019· Wizards of the Coast
Havengul Lich gains the activated abilities of the card as it existed in the graveyard while that card is still a spell on the stack.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#2June 8, 2016· 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.
#3April 15, 2013· Wizards of the Coast
Havengul Lich’s ability changes the zone you are permitted to cast the card from, not the times you are permitted to cast it. You can cast a creature card that has been targeted by Havengul Lich from the graveyard, but unless it has flash, you can only do so if it’s your main phase, the stack is empty, and you have priority.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#4January 22, 2011· Wizards of the Coast
Havengul Lich’s activated ability creates a delayed triggered ability that triggers when you cast the creature card. This triggered ability will go on the stack on top of the creature spell and will resolve before the creature spell will.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#5January 22, 2011· Wizards of the Coast
If you don’t cast the creature card that turn, Havengul Lich won’t gain any of its abilities.
No other card is named in this ruling.