Omnath, Locus of the Roil — ruling 1

You may choose Omnath as the target of its own second ability.

Omnath, Locus of the Roil — ruling 2

The number of Elementals you control is counted as Omnath's first ability resolves. If Omnath is still on the battlefield, it will count itself.

Omnath, Locus of the Roil — ruling 3

If the target Elemental is an illegal target by the time Omnath's second ability tries to resolve, the ability doesn't resolve. You don't draw a card if you control eight or more lands. If the target is legal but can't have a +1/+1 counter put on it (most likely because an opponent controls Blightbeetle), you do draw a card if you control eight or more lands.

Omnath, Locus of the Roil : règles, fonctionnement et interactions (MTG)

Omnath, Locus of the Roil 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

When Omnath enters, it deals damage to any target equal to the number of Elementals you control. Landfall — Whenever a land you control enters, put a +1/+1 counter on target Elemental you control. If you control eight or more lands, draw a card.

Complete guide

Omnath, Locus of the Roil is a powerhouse for Elemental tribal and landfall strategies alike, offering both removal and card advantage. This Temur legend rewards you for growing your board and your mana base simultaneously. Understanding how to maximize its triggered abilities is key to controlling the battlefield.

Elemental Surge

When Omnath enters the battlefield, its first ability triggers, dealing damage to any target. The amount of damage is determined by the number of Elementals you control at the moment the ability resolves. Because Omnath itself is an Elemental, it will count toward this total if it is still on the battlefield when the ability resolves.

Cultivating Growth

Omnath's second ability uses the Landfall keyword. Whenever a land enters the battlefield under your control, you target an Elemental creature to receive a +1/+1 counter. After the counter is placed (or attempted to be placed), the game checks if you control eight or more lands. if you do, you draw a card. This check happens only during the resolution of the ability.

Common Pitfalls

The most important thing to remember is the targeting requirement for Landfall. You must have a legal target Elemental to put the ability on the stack. If your only Elemental is removed in response, the entire ability fails, and you will not draw a card even if you have eight lands. Additionally, the first ability counts Elementals only upon resolution, not when the ability is put on the stack.

Strategic Timing

Play Omnath when you have a board presence of Elementals to maximize its entry damage. Once it is on the field, focus on ramping your land count to eight as quickly as possible. Once you hit that threshold, every land becomes a cantrip, allowing you to cycle through your deck while growing your creatures.

Interaction examples

Entering the Fray

You cast Omnath, Locus of the Roil while you control no other creatures. When it enters, its ability triggers. Upon resolution, the game checks how many Elementals you control. Since Omnath is on the battlefield, the count is one, and it deals 1 damage to your chosen target.

Ramping for Value

Solemn Simulacrum

With Omnath on the battlefield and seven lands in play, you cast Solemn Simulacrum. When the Simulacrum enters, you search for a basic land and put it onto the battlefield. This triggers Omnath's Landfall ability. You target Omnath for the +1/+1 counter. As the ability resolves, you now control eight lands, so you also draw a card.

Recovery and Recurrence

Eternal Witness

If an opponent destroys Omnath, you can cast Eternal Witness to return Omnath from your graveyard to your hand. When you recast Omnath later, its enter-the-battlefield ability will trigger again, potentially dealing significant damage if you have used the time to build a larger army of Elementals.

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

How it works : Omnath, Locus of the Roil

Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall

#1July 12, 2019· Wizards of the Coast
You may choose Omnath as the target of its own second ability.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#2July 12, 2019· Wizards of the Coast
The number of Elementals you control is counted as Omnath's first ability resolves. If Omnath is still on the battlefield, it will count itself.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#3July 12, 2019· Wizards of the Coast
If the target Elemental is an illegal target by the time Omnath's second ability tries to resolve, the ability doesn't resolve. You don't draw a card if you control eight or more lands. If the target is legal but can't have a +1/+1 counter put on it (most likely because an opponent controls Blightbeetle), you do draw a card if you control eight or more lands.
No other card is named in this ruling.