Mica, Reader of Ruins 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
Ward—Pay 3 life. (Whenever this creature becomes the target of a spell or ability an opponent controls, counter it unless that player pays 3 life.) Whenever you cast an instant or sorcery spell, you may sacrifice an artifact. If you do, copy that spell and you may choose new targets for the copy.
Complete guide
Mica, Reader of Ruins is a powerhouse for Artificer decks, turning your spare trinkets into double the magical output. With a built-in protection mechanism, she ensures that opponents pay dearly if they try to stop her research. Harnessing the power of artifacts, she allows you to replicate your most potent spells for a minimal price.
Artifact-Fueled Replication
Mica's primary ability triggers whenever you cast an instant or sorcery spell. When the trigger resolves, you have the option to sacrifice an artifact. If you choose to do so, a copy of the original spell is created on the stack. This copy retains all choices made for the original, including the value of X, modes selected, and any additional costs paid, such as Kicker. Because the copy is created directly on the stack, it is not 'cast,' so it won't trigger 'whenever you cast a spell' abilities again.
Resolution Step-by-Step
First, you cast an instant or sorcery spell and pay its costs. This puts Mica's triggered ability on the stack above your spell. Second, the trigger resolves, and you decide whether to sacrifice an artifact. If you sacrifice one, the copy is placed on the stack. Third, you may choose new targets for the copy if the spell requires them. Finally, the copy resolves first, followed by the original spell once both players pass priority again.
Common Pitfalls
A common mistake involves spells with 'Converge' or specific mana requirements. Since no mana is spent to 'cast' the copy, the number of colors of mana spent is zero, regardless of what was spent on the original. Additionally, if you are copying a spell that distributes damage (like a spell that says 'deals 4 damage divided as you choose'), you cannot change how that damage is divided, even if you choose new targets. You must maintain the same number of targets and the same distribution amounts.
When to Play Mica
Mica is best utilized in mid-to-late game scenarios where you have disposable artifacts like Treasure tokens or utility creatures. Her 'Ward—Pay 3 life' ability makes her a resilient threat, forcing opponents to choose between their life total and removing her. She excels in decks that run impactful spells that benefit from being doubled, such as card draw or direct damage, while utilizing artifacts that provide benefits when they leave the battlefield.
Interaction examples
Solemn SimulacrumWith Mica on the battlefield, you cast an instant spell. When Mica's ability triggers, you choose to sacrifice Solemn Simulacrum. This causes the instant spell to be copied. Furthermore, because Solemn Simulacrum was sacrificed and died, its own ability triggers, allowing you to draw a card. You get two copies of your spell and a card draw for your effort.
Roaming ThroneIf you have Roaming Throne on the battlefield and chose 'Human' or 'Artificer' as it entered, Mica's ability will trigger an additional time whenever you cast an instant or sorcery. This means for a single spell cast, you can sacrifice two separate artifacts to create two additional copies, resulting in three total instances of the spell on the stack.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Mica, Reader of Ruins
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
Mica's last ability resolves before the spell that caused it to trigger. It resolves even if that spell is countered or otherwise leaves the stack.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #2· Wizards of the Coast
If a spell with a converge ability is copied, no mana was spent to cast the copy, so the number of colors of mana spent to cast the spell will be zero. The number of colors spent to cast the original spell is not copied.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #3· Wizards of the Coast
The copy is created on the stack, so it's not "cast." Abilities that trigger when a player casts a spell won't trigger.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #4· Wizards of the Coast
If the spell that's copied is modal (that is, it says "Choose one —" or the like), the copy will have the same mode or modes. You can't choose different ones.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #5· Wizards of the Coast
Any choices made when the spell resolves won't have been made yet when it's copied. Any such choices will be made separately when the copy resolves.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #6· Wizards of the Coast
If the copied spell divides damage or distributes counters among a number of targets, the division and number of targets can't be changed. If you choose new targets, you must choose the same number of targets.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #7· Wizards of the Coast
The copy will have the same targets as the spell it's copying unless you choose new ones. You may change any number of the targets, including all of them or none of them. If, for one of the targets, you can't choose a new legal target, then it remains unchanged (even if the current target is illegal).
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #8· Wizards of the Coast
You can't choose to pay any additional costs for a copied spell. However, effects based on any additional costs that were paid for the original spell are copied as though those same costs were paid for the copy too.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #9· Wizards of the Coast
If the spell that's copied has an X whose value was determined as it was cast, the copy has the same value of X.
No other card is named in this ruling.
Legal formats
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Meta decks with Mica, Reader of Ruins
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