Key to the City 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
, Discard a card: Up to one target creature can't be blocked this turn. Whenever this artifact becomes untapped, you may pay
. If you do, draw a card.
Complete guide
Key to the City is a versatile artifact that provides both evasion for your creatures and a consistent way to filter your hand. Whether you are looking to push damage through or fill your graveyard for later use, this card offers a low-cost solution that fits into many strategies. It is particularly effective in decks that can capitalize on the discard cost as an advantage.
Unblockable Power
The primary function of Key to the City is its activated ability. By tapping the artifact and discarding a card, you can ensure that up to one target creature cannot be blocked for the remainder of the turn. This is a powerful tool for connecting with 'combat damage' triggers or finishing off an opponent. Crucially, you can also activate this ability targeting zero creatures if you simply need a way to discard a card from your hand.
The Untap Trigger
Key to the City features a triggered ability that occurs whenever it becomes untapped. While this most commonly happens during your untap step, the ability is actually put onto the stack at the beginning of your upkeep. When this happens, you have the choice to pay {2}. If you do, you draw a card. Note that you can only pay this cost once per trigger; you cannot pay {4} to draw two cards.
Timing and Strategy
Timing is essential when using the unblockable ability. You must activate it before blockers are declared during the declare blockers step. If you wait until after a creature has already been blocked, making it unblockable will not remove the blocker or allow the damage to go through to the player. Strategic players will use the discard cost to set up graveyard synergies while preparing for the draw trigger on their next turn.
Interaction examples
Sol RingDuring your untap step, Key to the City becomes untapped, triggering its second ability. As you move into your upkeep, the trigger is placed on the stack. You can then tap Sol Ring to add {C}{C} to your mana pool and use that mana to pay the {2} required by Key to the City, allowing you to draw a card without tapping any lands.
Arcane SignetIf you find yourself with an extra land in hand during your main phase, you can tap Key to the City and discard that land to make a creature unblockable. On your next turn, when Key to the City untaps, you can use mana from Arcane Signet to pay {2} and draw a card, effectively cycling the unwanted land for a new card while having pushed damage through.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Key to the City
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
You can activate Key to the City's first ability without targeting any creature.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #2· Wizards of the Coast
Key to the City's last ability triggers during your untap step, but it's put onto the stack at the same time as abilities that trigger at the beginning of your upkeep step. Even though Key to the City's ability triggered first, you may order it before or after other abilities you control that are put onto the stack at this time.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #3· Wizards of the Coast
Activating Key to the City's ability targeting a creature that has already been blocked won't cause it to become unblocked.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #4· Wizards of the Coast
You can pay
only once each time Key to the City's triggered ability resolves. You can't pay more to draw additional cards.No other card is named in this ruling.
Legal formats
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Meta decks with Key to the City
No archived Top 8 deck with this card yet.