Orchard Elemental — ruling 1

Unlike the will of the council cards from the original Conspiracy set, where a majority of votes determined what happened, each vote made for a council’s dilemma card adds to the ultimate effect.

Orchard Elemental — ruling 2

The effects of each council’s dilemma ability happen in the stated order. First the vote occurs, then the first effect, and finally the second effect.

Orchard Elemental — ruling 3

Because the votes are made in turn order, each player will know the votes of players who voted beforehand.

Orchard Elemental — ruling 4

You must vote for one of the available options. You can’t abstain.

Orchard Elemental — ruling 5

If a creature with an enters-the-battlefield council’s dilemma ability leaves the battlefield before that ability resolves, players can still vote for any option that would put +1/+1 counters on that creature, even though—or perhaps especially because—those votes won’t generate an effect.

Orchard Elemental — ruling 6

No player votes until the spell or ability resolves. Any responses to that spell or ability must be made without knowing the outcome of the vote.

Orchard Elemental — ruling 7

Players can’t do anything between voting and finishing the resolution of the spell or ability that included the vote.

Orchard Elemental : règles, fonctionnement et interactions (MTG)

Orchard Elemental 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

Council's dilemma — When this creature enters, starting with you, each player votes for sprout or harvest. Put two +1/+1 counters on this creature for each sprout vote. You gain 3 life for each harvest vote.

How it works : Orchard Elemental

Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall

#1August 23, 2016· Wizards of the Coast
Unlike the will of the council cards from the original Conspiracy set, where a majority of votes determined what happened, each vote made for a council’s dilemma card adds to the ultimate effect.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#2August 23, 2016· Wizards of the Coast
The effects of each council’s dilemma ability happen in the stated order. First the vote occurs, then the first effect, and finally the second effect.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#3August 23, 2016· Wizards of the Coast
Because the votes are made in turn order, each player will know the votes of players who voted beforehand.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#4August 23, 2016· Wizards of the Coast
You must vote for one of the available options. You can’t abstain.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#5August 23, 2016· Wizards of the Coast
If a creature with an enters-the-battlefield council’s dilemma ability leaves the battlefield before that ability resolves, players can still vote for any option that would put +1/+1 counters on that creature, even though—or perhaps especially because—those votes won’t generate an effect.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#6August 23, 2016· Wizards of the Coast
No player votes until the spell or ability resolves. Any responses to that spell or ability must be made without knowing the outcome of the vote.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#7August 23, 2016· Wizards of the Coast
Players can’t do anything between voting and finishing the resolution of the spell or ability that included the vote.
No other card is named in this ruling.