Kamahl's Will — ruling 1

A land that becomes a creature because of the first mode will retain any other supertypes, card types, subtypes, and abilities it had.

Kamahl's Will — ruling 2

If you choose both modes, the effects happen in the listed order. The lands will become 1/1 creatures in time to deal damage to the target of the second mode.

Kamahl's Will — ruling 3

If some but not all of the targets become illegal, Kamahl's Will will resolve but have no effect on illegal targets. If the target of the second mode becomes illegal, no damage will be dealt.

Kamahl's Will — ruling 4

Even though the card is named after a specific character, controlling any commander will satisfy its condition.

Kamahl's Will — ruling 5

There's no extra bonus if you control more than one commander.

Kamahl's Will — ruling 6

The commander you control doesn't have to be your commander.

Kamahl's Will — ruling 7

Once you've announced that you're casting a spell, players can't take any actions until you've finished doing so. Notably, opponents can't try to remove your commander to change how many modes you may choose.

Kamahl's Will — ruling 8

Once you've chosen both modes for the spell, it doesn't matter whether you continue to control a commander. This is true even if you somehow no longer control a commander as you finish casting the spell.

Kamahl's Will : règles, fonctionnement et interactions (MTG)

Kamahl's Will 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

Choose one. If you control a commander as you cast this spell, you may choose both instead. • Until end of turn, any number of target lands you control become 1/1 Elemental creatures with vigilance, indestructible, and haste. They're still lands. • Choose target creature you don't control. Each creature you control deals damage equal to its power to that creature.

Complete guide

Kamahl's Will is a versatile green instant that offers both a massive land-based offensive and a potent removal option. Designed for the Commander format, it rewards you for having your leader on the battlefield by allowing you to utilize its full potential. Whether you need an army of indestructible attackers or a way to clear a threatening blocker, this spell delivers.

Understanding the Commander Bonus

When you cast Kamahl's Will, the spell checks if you control any commander. If you do, you can choose both modes instead of just one. It is important to note that the commander does not have to be your own; any creature with the 'commander' property under your control satisfies the condition. Once you begin casting the spell and choose both modes, your opponents cannot stop you from getting both effects by removing your commander in response.

Resolving the Modes

If you choose both modes, they resolve in the order printed on the card. First, any number of target lands you control become 1/1 Elemental creatures with vigilance, indestructible, and haste. Second, a target creature you don't control is dealt damage by each creature you control. Because the lands become creatures first, they will contribute their power to the total damage dealt in the second mode.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Players often forget that the lands remain creatures only until the end of the turn. Additionally, while the lands are indestructible, they are still 1/1 creatures; they can still be affected by effects that reduce toughness to zero or exile them. Remember that if the single target for the second mode becomes illegal (such as gaining Hexproof), no creatures will deal damage at all, even if the land-targeting mode resolves successfully.

Strategic Timing

Since this is an instant, it serves as an excellent combat trick. You can use it during an opponent's turn to create indestructible blockers out of your lands or to remove a key creature before it can attack. In your own turn, it provides a surprise 'alpha strike' by turning all your mana sources into attackers that can survive most board wipes.

Interaction examples

Synergy with Non-Human Buffs

Return of the Wildspeaker

If you control a commander, you cast Kamahl's Will choosing both modes. First, you turn five lands into 1/1 Elementals. Then, those Elementals and your other creatures deal damage to an opponent's creature. Afterward, you can cast Return of the Wildspeaker's second mode. Since your lands are now non-Human Elemental creatures, they receive the +3/+3 buff, turning your 1/1 lands into 4/4 indestructible attackers for the turn.

Responding to Destruction

Beast Within

An opponent casts Beast Within targeting your commander to prevent you from getting both modes of Kamahl's Will. However, if you cast Kamahl's Will in response, you still control your commander at the moment of casting. You choose both modes. Kamahl's Will resolves first: your lands become creatures and you deal damage to a target. Then, Beast Within resolves, destroying your commander and giving you a 3/3 Beast. The modes on Kamahl's Will are locked in once cast.

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

How it works : Kamahl's Will

Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall

#1November 10, 2020· Wizards of the Coast
A land that becomes a creature because of the first mode will retain any other supertypes, card types, subtypes, and abilities it had.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#2November 10, 2020· Wizards of the Coast
If you choose both modes, the effects happen in the listed order. The lands will become 1/1 creatures in time to deal damage to the target of the second mode.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#3November 10, 2020· Wizards of the Coast
If some but not all of the targets become illegal, Kamahl's Will will resolve but have no effect on illegal targets. If the target of the second mode becomes illegal, no damage will be dealt.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#4November 10, 2020· Wizards of the Coast
Even though the card is named after a specific character, controlling any commander will satisfy its condition.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#5November 10, 2020· Wizards of the Coast
There's no extra bonus if you control more than one commander.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#6November 10, 2020· Wizards of the Coast
The commander you control doesn't have to be your commander.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#7November 10, 2020· Wizards of the Coast
Once you've announced that you're casting a spell, players can't take any actions until you've finished doing so. Notably, opponents can't try to remove your commander to change how many modes you may choose.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#8November 10, 2020· Wizards of the Coast
Once you've chosen both modes for the spell, it doesn't matter whether you continue to control a commander. This is true even if you somehow no longer control a commander as you finish casting the spell.
No other card is named in this ruling.