Magda, the Hoardmaster — ruling 1

A player commits a crime as they cast a spell, activate an ability, or put a triggered ability on the stack that targets at least one opponent, at least one permanent, spell, or ability an opponent controls, and/or at least one card in an opponent’s graveyard.

Magda, the Hoardmaster — ruling 2

The spell or ability that constituted a crime doesn’t have to have resolved yet or at all. As soon as you’re finished casting the spell, activating the ability, or putting the triggered ability on the stack, you’ve committed a crime.

Magda, the Hoardmaster — ruling 3

For example, an ability that triggers when you cast a spell that targets an opponent will trigger at the same time as an ability that triggers whenever you commit a crime. Those abilities can be put on the stack in either order (if you control them both), and they’ll both resolve before the spell that caused them to trigger.

Magda, the Hoardmaster — ruling 4

A player can commit only one crime per spell or ability they control. Targeting multiple opponents, permanents, spells, abilities, and/or cards with the same spell or ability doesn’t constitute committing multiple crimes.

Magda, the Hoardmaster — ruling 5

Changing the target or targets of a spell or ability won’t affect whether or not the controller of that spell or ability has committed a crime. Only the initial targets chosen for that spell or ability are used to determine whether or not its controller committed a crime.

Magda, the Hoardmaster : règles, fonctionnement et interactions (MTG)

Magda, the Hoardmaster 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

Whenever you commit a crime, create a tapped Treasure token. This ability triggers only once each turn. (Targeting opponents, anything they control, and/or cards in their graveyards is a crime.) Sacrifice three Treasures: Create a 4/4 red Scorpion Dragon creature token with flying and haste. Activate only as a sorcery.

Complete guide

Magda, the Hoardmaster brings a new level of criminal activity to the Treasure archetype. By rewarding you for interacting with your opponent, she turns every disruption into fuel for massive airborne threats.

How Crimes Work

A crime is committed whenever you cast a spell or activate an ability that targets an opponent, their permanents, their spells, or cards in their graveyard. Magda, the Hoardmaster detects this action immediately as the spell or ability is put onto the stack. Note that targeting multiple things with one spell still counts as only one crime, and the Treasure token enters the battlefield tapped.

Building a Scorpion Dragon

Magda's second ability allows you to convert three Treasures into a 4/4 red Scorpion Dragon token with flying and haste. This is an activated ability that can only be used during your main phase when the stack is empty. Because the token has haste, it is an excellent way to apply pressure immediately after a board wipe or during a focused offensive.

Common Mistakes

The most common mistake is forgetting that Magda's crime trigger is limited to once per turn. This includes your opponents' turns, so you can potentially create a Treasure on their turn by using an instant-speed removal spell. Additionally, remember that changing targets of a spell after it is cast does not count as a new crime; only the initial targeting matters.

When to Play Magda

Magda, the Hoardmaster is a two-mana creature, making her a great early-game engine. She excels in decks that naturally want to target the opponent's board. By combining her with other Treasure generators, you can quickly reach the three-Treasure requirement to start churning out Scorpion Dragons.

Interaction examples

Generating Value Through Combat

Magda, the Hoardmaster

Professional Face-Breaker

1. With Magda and Professional Face-Breaker on the battlefield, you attack with a creature. 2. If you cast a spell targeting an opponent's blocker, Magda triggers and creates a tapped Treasure. 3. When your creature deals combat damage, Professional Face-Breaker triggers and creates an untapped Treasure. You are now two-thirds of the way to a Scorpion Dragon.

Tapping for Resources

Magda, the Hoardmaster

Ornithopter of Paradise

1. You have Magda, the Hoardmaster and Ornithopter of Paradise on the field. 2. You cast a spell targeting an opponent's creature. 3. Magda's ability triggers, putting a tapped Treasure onto the battlefield. 4. Since you cannot use that tapped Treasure immediately, you use Ornithopter of Paradise to produce mana for another spell or to save for a future turn.

Summoning the Dragon

Magda, the Hoardmaster

Treasure

Scorpion Dragon

1. During your main phase, you control Magda, the Hoardmaster and three Treasure tokens. 2. You activate Magda's ability by sacrificing the three Treasures. 3. The ability resolves, and you create a 4/4 Scorpion Dragon token. 4. Because the token has haste, you can immediately declare it as an attacker during your combat phase.

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

How it works : Magda, the Hoardmaster

Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall

#1April 12, 2024· Wizards of the Coast
A player commits a crime as they cast a spell, activate an ability, or put a triggered ability on the stack that targets at least one opponent, at least one permanent, spell, or ability an opponent controls, and/or at least one card in an opponent’s graveyard.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#2April 12, 2024· Wizards of the Coast
The spell or ability that constituted a crime doesn’t have to have resolved yet or at all. As soon as you’re finished casting the spell, activating the ability, or putting the triggered ability on the stack, you’ve committed a crime.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#3April 12, 2024· Wizards of the Coast
For example, an ability that triggers when you cast a spell that targets an opponent will trigger at the same time as an ability that triggers whenever you commit a crime. Those abilities can be put on the stack in either order (if you control them both), and they’ll both resolve before the spell that caused them to trigger.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#4April 12, 2024· Wizards of the Coast
A player can commit only one crime per spell or ability they control. Targeting multiple opponents, permanents, spells, abilities, and/or cards with the same spell or ability doesn’t constitute committing multiple crimes.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#5April 12, 2024· Wizards of the Coast
Changing the target or targets of a spell or ability won’t affect whether or not the controller of that spell or ability has committed a crime. Only the initial targets chosen for that spell or ability are used to determine whether or not its controller committed a crime.
No other card is named in this ruling.