Korvold, Fae-Cursed King — ruling 1

If you somehow control no other permanents, you can attack with Korvold. You won't sacrifice anything, and there's no penalty for being unable to do so.

Korvold, Fae-Cursed King — ruling 2

A legendary permanent that is put into a graveyard because of the "legend rule" isn't sacrificed.

Korvold, Fae-Cursed King — ruling 3

Korvold's last ability is a triggered ability, not an activated ability. It doesn't allow you to sacrifice a permanent whenever you want; rather, you need some other way of sacrificing permanents, such as Korvold's first triggered ability.

Korvold, Fae-Cursed King — ruling 4

If you sacrifice a permanent as part of a spell or activated ability's cost, Korvold's last ability will resolve before that spell or ability.

Korvold, Fae-Cursed King — ruling 5

If you sacrifice Korvold, its last ability triggers. You won't put a +1/+1 counter on anything, but you'll draw a card.

Korvold, Fae-Cursed King : règles, fonctionnement et interactions (MTG)

Korvold, Fae-Cursed King 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

Flying Whenever Korvold enters or attacks, sacrifice another permanent. Whenever you sacrifice a permanent, put a +1/+1 counter on Korvold and draw a card.

Complete guide

Korvold, Fae-Cursed King is a powerhouse in Commander, turning every sacrifice into a source of immense card advantage and raw power. As a legendary Dragon Noble, he demands a high price for his loyalty but rewards you handsomely for fueling his endless hunger. Understanding how his triggered abilities interact is the key to mastering this Jund commander.

A King's Demand

Korvold has two distinct types of triggered abilities. The first is a mandatory sacrifice that occurs whenever he enters the battlefield or attacks. You must choose another permanent to sacrifice if you have one; however, if you control no other permanents, you simply proceed without sacrificing. The second ability is a payoff: every time you sacrifice any permanent for any reason, Korvold receives a +1/+1 counter and you draw a card. Note that this is not an activated ability; Korvold does not let you sacrifice permanents at will, but instead reacts to sacrifices performed through his own effect or other spells and abilities.

The Timing of Sacrifice

When you sacrifice a permanent to pay the cost of a spell or an activated ability, Korvold's draw ability triggers and goes on the stack on top of that spell or ability. This means you will draw your card and Korvold will grow before the original spell or ability actually resolves. If you are forced to sacrifice Korvold himself, his ability will still trigger one last time. While he won't be on the battlefield to receive the +1/+1 counter, you still get to draw a card from his final act.

Common Pitfalls

A common mistake involves the 'legend rule.' If you control two legendary permanents with the same name and one is put into the graveyard, this is not a sacrifice, so Korvold will not trigger. Similarly, simply moving a card to the graveyard or discarding it does not count as a sacrifice. Only effects that explicitly use the word 'sacrifice' will trigger his ability. Also, remember that Korvold's first ability requires you to sacrifice 'another' permanent, meaning he cannot eat himself to satisfy his own enter-or-attack trigger.

Strategic Deployment

You should play Korvold when you have a board state ready to be converted into resources. Because he triggers on both entering and attacking, he provides immediate value the moment he hits the table. He is best utilized alongside permanents that have 'dies' triggers, allowing you to stack multiple benefits from a single sacrifice action.

Interaction examples

Double the Hunger

Roaming Throne

If you have Roaming Throne on the battlefield and chose 'Dragon' as its type, Korvold's abilities will trigger an additional time. When Korvold enters the battlefield, you will have to sacrifice two other permanents instead of one. However, for every single permanent you sacrifice, Korvold's growth ability triggers twice, resulting in two +1/+1 counters and two cards drawn per sacrifice.

The Value Engine

Solemn Simulacrum

When Korvold, Fae-Cursed King enters the battlefield, his ability triggers, requiring a sacrifice. If you choose to sacrifice Solemn Simulacrum, two triggers will be put onto the stack: Korvold's draw/counter ability and Solemn Simulacrum's 'dies' ability. You will draw a card from the Golem's death and a second card from Korvold's ability, while also making Korvold a 6/6 flyer.

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

How it works : Korvold, Fae-Cursed King

Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall

#1October 4, 2019· Wizards of the Coast
If you somehow control no other permanents, you can attack with Korvold. You won't sacrifice anything, and there's no penalty for being unable to do so.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#2October 4, 2019· Wizards of the Coast
A legendary permanent that is put into a graveyard because of the "legend rule" isn't sacrificed.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#3October 4, 2019· Wizards of the Coast
Korvold's last ability is a triggered ability, not an activated ability. It doesn't allow you to sacrifice a permanent whenever you want; rather, you need some other way of sacrificing permanents, such as Korvold's first triggered ability.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#4October 4, 2019· Wizards of the Coast
If you sacrifice a permanent as part of a spell or activated ability's cost, Korvold's last ability will resolve before that spell or ability.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#5October 4, 2019· Wizards of the Coast
If you sacrifice Korvold, its last ability triggers. You won't put a +1/+1 counter on anything, but you'll draw a card.
No other card is named in this ruling.