Not Dead After All — ruling 1

If the creature doesn't return to the battlefield or returns as a noncreature permanent, the Wicked Role token won't be created.

Not Dead After All — ruling 2

If multiple creatures return to the battlefield (possibly because Not Dead After All targeted a melded permanent), a Wicked Role token will be created attached to each of them.

Not Dead After All — ruling 3

Roles are colorless enchantment tokens. Each one has the Aura and Role subtypes and the enchant creature ability.

Not Dead After All — ruling 4

If a permanent has more than one Role attached to it controlled by the same player, each of those Roles except the one with the most recent timestamp is put into its owner's graveyard. This is a state-based action.

Not Dead After All — ruling 5

If two or more Roles controlled by the same player become attached to a permanent at the same time (perhaps due to an effect such as that of Doubling Season), that player chooses which one to keep and which are put into their owners' graveyards.

Not Dead After All — ruling 6

A permanent can have multiple Roles attached to it if each one is controlled by a different player.

Not Dead After All — ruling 7

Some spells and abilities that create Role tokens require targets. If each target chosen is an illegal target as that spell or ability tries to resolve, it won't resolve. The Role token won't be created.

Not Dead After All — ruling 8

In rare cases, a spell or ability might attempt to create a Role token enchanting a permanent that it can't legally enchant (because of an ability like protection from enchantments). In such cases, the Role token isn't created.

Not Dead After All : règles, fonctionnement et interactions (MTG)

Not Dead After All 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

Until end of turn, target creature you control gains "When this creature dies, return it to the battlefield tapped under its owner's control, then create a Wicked Role token attached to it." (Enchanted creature gets +1/+1. When this token is put into a graveyard, each opponent loses 1 life.)

Complete guide

Not Dead After All is a powerful black instant that ensures your best threats never truly stay in the graveyard. By granting a creature a temporary 'undying-style' ability, you can turn a lethal trade or a removal spell into a renewed board presence and extra value. This card is a staple for aggressive decks looking to protect their key pieces while squeezing out every bit of damage.

What It Does

For a single black mana, Not Dead After All grants a target creature you control a triggered ability that lasts until the end of the turn. If that creature dies, it doesn't stay in the graveyard; instead, it returns to the battlefield tapped under its owner's control. As a bonus, once it returns, you create a Wicked Role token and attach it to that creature, giving it a +1/+1 buff and a nasty death trigger for your opponents.

How It Resolves Step by Step

First, you cast the spell targeting a creature you control. Once it resolves, the creature gains the triggered ability. If the creature dies while the effect is active, the ability triggers. The creature is moved from the graveyard back to the battlefield tapped. Immediately after the creature is back on the field, the game creates a Wicked Role token and attaches it to that creature. Note that the Role token is not created if the creature fails to return to the battlefield (for example, if it was exiled from the graveyard in response to the trigger).

Common Mistakes

A common mistake involves Role management; if the creature already had a Role you controlled, the new Wicked Role will replace the old one due to state-based actions. Remember that the creature returns under its owner's control, which matters if you targeted a creature you stole from an opponent. Additionally, if the creature returns as a noncreature permanent (like a Vehicle that isn't crewed), the Wicked Role cannot attach to it, and the token will not be created.

When to Play It

Use this card in response to your opponent's removal spells like Murder or during combat to ensure your attacker survives a block. It is also excellent to use in combination with sacrifice outlets, allowing you to trigger 'leaves the battlefield' effects twice while keeping your creature on the board with an extra power boost from the Wicked Role.

Interaction examples

Surviving a Removal Spell

Your opponent casts a spell to destroy your creature. You respond by casting Not Dead After All. Your creature dies, then immediately returns to the battlefield tapped. You attach a Wicked Role to it, making it slightly stronger than it was before it 'died.'

Fueling Rituals

Dark Ritual

You use Dark Ritual to generate three black mana. You use one of that mana to cast Not Dead After All on a creature you intend to sacrifice for an effect. The creature dies, returns to the battlefield, and gains a Wicked Role, leaving you with two black mana remaining in your pool to cast further spells.

Setting Up the Top Deck

Vampiric Tutor

After your creature returns via Not Dead After All and gains its Wicked Role, you might realize you need a specific finisher. You cast Vampiric Tutor to put that card on top of your library. If the creature with the Wicked Role dies again later, the Role's triggered ability will deal 1 damage to each opponent, potentially closing out the game alongside the card you tutored for.

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

How it works : Not Dead After All

Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall

#1September 1, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
If the creature doesn't return to the battlefield or returns as a noncreature permanent, the Wicked Role token won't be created.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#2September 1, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
If multiple creatures return to the battlefield (possibly because Not Dead After All targeted a melded permanent), a Wicked Role token will be created attached to each of them.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#3September 1, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
Roles are colorless enchantment tokens. Each one has the Aura and Role subtypes and the enchant creature ability.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#4September 1, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
If a permanent has more than one Role attached to it controlled by the same player, each of those Roles except the one with the most recent timestamp is put into its owner's graveyard. This is a state-based action.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#5September 1, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
If two or more Roles controlled by the same player become attached to a permanent at the same time (perhaps due to an effect such as that of Doubling Season), that player chooses which one to keep and which are put into their owners' graveyards.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#6September 1, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
A permanent can have multiple Roles attached to it if each one is controlled by a different player.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#7September 1, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
Some spells and abilities that create Role tokens require targets. If each target chosen is an illegal target as that spell or ability tries to resolve, it won't resolve. The Role token won't be created.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#8September 1, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
In rare cases, a spell or ability might attempt to create a Role token enchanting a permanent that it can't legally enchant (because of an ability like protection from enchantments). In such cases, the Role token isn't created.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#9September 1, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
Hexproof and shroud won't prevent a Role from becoming attached to a permanent if the ability creating that Role attached to that permanent doesn't target it.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#10September 1, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
Cards in the Wilds of Eldraine main set create six different Role tokens: Cursed, Monster, Royal, Sorcerer, Wicked, and Young Hero. A seventh Role token, Virtuous, is created by Ellivere of the Wild Court, the commander of the "Virtue and Valor" Commander Deck.
No other card is named in this ruling.