Orcish Bowmasters — ruling 1

Some cards refer to the "amassed Army." That means the Army creature you chose to receive counters, even if no counters were placed on it for some reason.

Orcish Bowmasters — ruling 2

Some spells and abilities that amass Orcs may require targets. If each target chosen is an illegal target as that spell or ability tries to resolve, it won't resolve. You won't amass Orcs.

Orcish Bowmasters — ruling 3

Amass Zombies works the same way, except you create a 0/0 black Zombie Army creature token if you don't control an Army. If the Army creature you chose isn't already a Zombie, it becomes a Zombie in addition to its other types. By combining cards with amass Orcs and amass Zombies, you can end up with an Orc Zombie Army.

Orcish Bowmasters — ruling 4

Amass abilities are now written as "amass [subtype] N." Previous cards with amass have received errata to say "amass Zombies N."

Orcish Bowmasters — ruling 5

In the rare case that you control multiple Army creatures (perhaps because you played a creature with changeling) while you amass Orcs, you choose which of your Army creatures to put the +1/+1 counters on. If that creature isn't an Orc, it becomes an Orc in addition to its other types.

Orcish Bowmasters — ruling 6

If you don't control an Army, the Orc Army token you create enters the battlefield as a 0/0 creature before receiving counters. Any abilities that trigger when a creature with a certain power enters the battlefield, such as that of Mentor of the Meek, will see the token enter as a 0/0 creature before it gets +1/+1 counters.

Orcish Bowmasters — ruling 7

If a spell or ability causes an opponent to put cards into their hand without specifically using the word "draw," it's not a card drawn.

Orcish Bowmasters — ruling 8

To amass Orcs N, if you don't control an Army creature, create a 0/0 black Orc Army creature token. Then you choose an Army creature you control and put N +1/+1 counters on it. If that Army isn't already an Orc, it becomes an Orc in addition to its other types.

Orcish Bowmasters : règles, fonctionnement et interactions (MTG)

Orcish Bowmasters 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

Flash When this creature enters and whenever an opponent draws a card except the first one they draw in each of their draw steps, this creature deals 1 damage to any target. Then amass Orcs 1.

Complete guide

Orcish Bowmasters is a high-impact creature that punishes opponents for drawing extra cards while building your own battlefield presence. With Flash, this Orc Archer can be played at nearly any time to surprise your foes and disrupt their plans.

A Deadly Response

Orcish Bowmasters has a triggered ability that fires off when it enters the battlefield and whenever an opponent draws a card, unless it is the very first card they draw during their own draw step. This means any cantrips, card-draw spells, or extra draws from abilities will trigger the Bowmasters, allowing you to ping a target for 1 damage and grow an Army.

The Amass Orcs Process

Every time the trigger resolves, you first deal 1 damage to any target. Then, you Amass Orcs 1. If you do not control an Army creature, you create a 0/0 black Orc Army creature token and put a +1/+1 counter on it. If you already control an Army, you choose one and put a +1/+1 counter on it; if it isn't an Orc yet, it becomes one in addition to its other types.

Timing and Targets

Because the ability says 'any target,' you can choose a player, a planeswalker, or a creature. It is important to note that the damage happens before the Amass effect. If the target becomes illegal before the ability resolves (for example, if a creature is sacrificed in response), the entire ability fails to resolve, and you will not Amass Orcs.

Common Misconceptions

The ability does not trigger on the first card drawn during an opponent's draw step, but it *does* trigger on the first card they draw on your turn. Additionally, 'putting a card into hand' is not the same as 'drawing'; the Bowmasters only care about actions specifically defined as draws in the rules or card text.

Interaction examples

Punishing Small Creatures

Orcish Bowmasters

Blood Artist

If your opponent controls a Blood Artist with 1 toughness, you can cast Orcish Bowmasters with Flash. When it enters, its trigger targets the Blood Artist. The damage is dealt, destroying the Blood Artist, and then you Amass Orcs 1 to create your Orc Army token.

Managing the Mana Dork

Orcish Bowmasters

Ornithopter of Paradise

If an opponent attempts to draw an extra card while they have an Ornithopter of Paradise on board, Orcish Bowmasters triggers. You can target the Ornithopter with the 1 damage. The Ornithopter is destroyed, and you then add a +1/+1 counter to your existing Orc Army or create a new one.

Amassing a Larger Army

Orcish Bowmasters

Orc Army

If you already have an Orc Army token (perhaps from a previous trigger), the next time Orcish Bowmasters triggers, you do not create a new creature. Instead, after dealing 1 damage to your chosen target, you place a +1/+1 counter on your existing Orc Army, making it a 2/2.

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

How it works : Orcish Bowmasters

Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall

#1June 16, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
Some cards refer to the "amassed Army." That means the Army creature you chose to receive counters, even if no counters were placed on it for some reason.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#2June 16, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
Some spells and abilities that amass Orcs may require targets. If each target chosen is an illegal target as that spell or ability tries to resolve, it won't resolve. You won't amass Orcs.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#3June 16, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
Amass Zombies works the same way, except you create a 0/0 black Zombie Army creature token if you don't control an Army. If the Army creature you chose isn't already a Zombie, it becomes a Zombie in addition to its other types. By combining cards with amass Orcs and amass Zombies, you can end up with an Orc Zombie Army.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#4June 16, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
Amass abilities are now written as "amass [subtype] N." Previous cards with amass have received errata to say "amass Zombies N."
No other card is named in this ruling.
#5June 16, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
In the rare case that you control multiple Army creatures (perhaps because you played a creature with changeling) while you amass Orcs, you choose which of your Army creatures to put the +1/+1 counters on. If that creature isn't an Orc, it becomes an Orc in addition to its other types.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#6June 16, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
If you don't control an Army, the Orc Army token you create enters the battlefield as a 0/0 creature before receiving counters. Any abilities that trigger when a creature with a certain power enters the battlefield, such as that of Mentor of the Meek, will see the token enter as a 0/0 creature before it gets +1/+1 counters.
Card named in this ruling
Orc Army
#7June 16, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
If a spell or ability causes an opponent to put cards into their hand without specifically using the word "draw," it's not a card drawn.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#8June 16, 2023· Wizards of the Coast
To amass Orcs N, if you don't control an Army creature, create a 0/0 black Orc Army creature token. Then you choose an Army creature you control and put N +1/+1 counters on it. If that Army isn't already an Orc, it becomes an Orc in addition to its other types.
Card named in this ruling
Orc Army