Pit Automaton — ruling 1

Pit Automaton has received an update to its Oracle text. Specifically, the delayed triggered ability doesn’t trigger if you activate an exhaust ability that is also a mana ability.

Pit Automaton — ruling 2

Exhaust abilities can be activated any time you could normally activate an ability.

Pit Automaton — ruling 3

If an exhaust ability of a permanent is activated, and then that permanent leaves the battlefield and returns to the battlefield, it becomes a new object so its exhaust ability can be activated again.

Pit Automaton — ruling 4

If an ability triggers whenever you activate an exhaust ability, that ability resolves before the exhaust ability resolves.

Pit Automaton : règles, fonctionnement et interactions (MTG)

Pit Automaton 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

Defender : Add . Spend this mana only to activate abilities. , : When you next activate an exhaust ability that isn't a mana ability this turn, copy it. You may choose new targets for the copy.

How it works : Pit Automaton

Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall

#1February 7, 2025· Wizards of the Coast
Pit Automaton has received an update to its Oracle text. Specifically, the delayed triggered ability doesn’t trigger if you activate an exhaust ability that is also a mana ability.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#2February 7, 2025· Wizards of the Coast
Exhaust abilities can be activated any time you could normally activate an ability.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#3February 7, 2025· Wizards of the Coast
If an exhaust ability of a permanent is activated, and then that permanent leaves the battlefield and returns to the battlefield, it becomes a new object so its exhaust ability can be activated again.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#4February 7, 2025· Wizards of the Coast
If an ability triggers whenever you activate an exhaust ability, that ability resolves before the exhaust ability resolves.
No other card is named in this ruling.