Ral's Vanguard — ruling 1

Vanguard cards can be used only in a format that allows them (such as Limited events using the Mystery Booster set). Each player may begin the game with up to one vanguard card they own in the command zone. This card doesn’t count towards the minimum deck size.

Ral's Vanguard — ruling 2

Vanguard cards can’t be included in a deck or brought into the game from outside the game.

Ral's Vanguard — ruling 3

Your starting and maximum hand size is modified by the vanguard as noted. Your starting life total is similarly modified.

Ral's Vanguard — ruling 4

A vanguard with a requirement can’t be your vanguard unless its requirement is met as the game begins.

Ral's Vanguard — ruling 5

Your starting deck includes only those cards that will be shuffled to become your library. It doesn’t include your sideboard or any other cards that begin the game outside the game.

Ral's Vanguard — ruling 6

Copies of spells you control won’t cause you to draw additional cards or deal additional damage.

Ral's Vanguard : règles, fonctionnement et interactions (MTG)

Ral's Vanguard 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

Requirement — Your starting deck contains only instant, sorcery, and land cards. Starting hand size +1 Starting life total -5 If an instant or sorcery spell you cast would cause you to draw one or more cards, draw an additional card. If an instant or sorcery spell you cast would deal damage to a permanent or player, it deals 1 additional damage to that permanent or player.

How it works : Ral's Vanguard

Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall

#1November 12, 2019· Wizards of the Coast
Vanguard cards can be used only in a format that allows them (such as Limited events using the Mystery Booster set). Each player may begin the game with up to one vanguard card they own in the command zone. This card doesn’t count towards the minimum deck size.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#2November 12, 2019· Wizards of the Coast
Vanguard cards can’t be included in a deck or brought into the game from outside the game.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#3November 12, 2019· Wizards of the Coast
Your starting and maximum hand size is modified by the vanguard as noted. Your starting life total is similarly modified.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#4November 12, 2019· Wizards of the Coast
A vanguard with a requirement can’t be your vanguard unless its requirement is met as the game begins.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#5November 12, 2019· Wizards of the Coast
Your starting deck includes only those cards that will be shuffled to become your library. It doesn’t include your sideboard or any other cards that begin the game outside the game.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#6November 12, 2019· Wizards of the Coast
Copies of spells you control won’t cause you to draw additional cards or deal additional damage.
No other card is named in this ruling.