Magus of the WheelHow it works & interactions with other cards

A Fresh Start for Everyone

Magus of the Wheel has an activated ability that costs one red and one generic mana, requires you to tap it, and involves sacrificing the creature as a cost. When the ability resolves, all players simultaneously discard their entire hands to the graveyard. Immediately after, each player draws exactly seven cards from their library, regardless of how many cards they previously held.

Resolution Breakdown

The ability follows a strict sequence once it is activated and passes priority. First, the Magus is moved to the graveyard as a cost, so it will not be on the battlefield when the effect happens. Then, discard occurs for everyone at once. Finally, drawing occurs. If a player has fewer than seven cards in their library during this process, they will lose the game due to drawing from an empty library once state-based actions are checked. If all players have fewer than seven cards, the game ends in a draw.

Strategic Considerations

Common mistakes involve forgetting that this is an activated ability, not a triggered one. It cannot be used the turn it enters the battlefield unless it has haste, as the tap symbol is part of the cost. Because the sacrifice is a cost, your opponents cannot respond to the ability by trying to destroy the Magus to stop the effect; once you pay the cost, the ability is already on the stack and the Magus is already in the graveyard.

Interaction examples

Chaining Card Draw

Solemn Simulacrum

If you have a Solemn Simulacrum on the battlefield and activate Magus of the Wheel, you must sacrifice the Magus to pay the cost. The Magus ability goes on the stack. When the ability resolves, you discard your hand and draw seven cards. If you later sacrifice or lose the Solemn Simulacrum, its 'dies' trigger will allow you to draw an eighth card, helping you dig even deeper into your deck than the initial seven.

Type Synergy Check

Roaming Throne

If you have Roaming Throne on the battlefield with 'Human' or 'Wizard' chosen, note that it will NOT affect Magus of the Wheel. Roaming Throne specifically doubles triggered abilities (starting with 'When', 'Whenever', or 'At'). Since Magus of the Wheel uses an activated ability (formatted as 'Cost: Effect'), Roaming Throne provides no additional benefit to the discard and draw effect.

Resetting the Table

If you have zero cards in hand and your opponent has seven, activating Magus of the Wheel is a massive advantage. You pay the mana and sacrifice the Magus to put the ability on the stack. Upon resolution, you discard nothing and draw seven, while your opponent discards their full hand and draws seven new cards, effectively erasing their previous hand advantage.