Rebbec, Architect of Ascension — ruling 1

For spells with {X} in their mana costs, use the value chosen for X to determine the spell's mana value. If an artifact you control has {X} in its mana cost, X is considered to be 0.

Rebbec, Architect of Ascension — ruling 2

If your Commander deck has two commanders, you can only include cards whose own color identities are also found in your commanders' combined color identities. If Falthis and Kediss are your commanders, your deck may contain cards with black and/or red in their color identity, but not cards with green, white, or blue.

Rebbec, Architect of Ascension — ruling 3

Both commanders start in the command zone, and the remaining 98 cards (or 58 cards in a Commander Draft game) of your deck are shuffled to become your library.

Rebbec, Architect of Ascension — ruling 4

To have two commanders, both must have the partner ability as the game begins. Losing the ability during the game doesn't cause either to cease to be your commander.

Rebbec, Architect of Ascension — ruling 5

Once the game begins, your two commanders are tracked separately. If you cast one, you won't have to pay an additional {2} the first time you cast the other. A player loses the game after having been dealt 21 damage from any one of them, not from both of them combined.

Rebbec, Architect of Ascension — ruling 6

If something refers to your commander while you have two commanders, it refers to one of them of your choice. If you are instructed to perform an action on your commander (e.g. put it from the command zone into your hand due to Command Beacon), you choose one of your commanders at the time the effect happens.

Rebbec, Architect of Ascension — ruling 7

An effect that checks whether you control your commander is satisfied if you control one or both of your two commanders.

Rebbec, Architect of Ascension — ruling 8

You can choose two commanders with partner that are the same color or colors. In Commander Draft, you can even choose two of the same commander with partner if you drafted them. If you do this, make sure you keep the number of times you've cast each from the command zone clear for "commander tax" purposes.

Rebbec, Architect of Ascension : règles, fonctionnement et interactions (MTG)

Rebbec, Architect of Ascension 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

Artifacts you control have protection from each mana value among artifacts you control. Partner (You can have two commanders if both have partner.)

Complete guide

Rebbec, Architect of Ascension is a powerful commander that transforms your board of artifacts into an untouchable fortress. By granting protection based on the mana values of your artifacts, she creates a complex shield that prevents opponents from interacting with your most valuable permanents.

Understanding the Protective Shield

Rebbec provides artifacts you control protection from every mana value represented among artifacts you currently control. Protection means those artifacts cannot be targeted, dealt damage, enchanted/equipped, or blocked by anything with those specific mana values. This includes spells, abilities of permanents on the battlefield, and even cards in other zones that might attempt to target your artifacts.

Calculating Mana Values

The protection updates dynamically as artifacts enter or leave the battlefield. If you control a land artifact (mana value 0) and a mana rock (mana value 2), your artifacts have protection from 0 and 2. Note that for any artifact on the battlefield with {X} in its cost, X is always treated as 0 when calculating mana value. This protective layer affects Rebbec herself only if she somehow becomes an artifact, but otherwise, she stays on the field to grant the ability to others.

Common Mistakes: Falling Through the Cracks

A common mistake is forgetting that protection only applies to specific mana values. If you control artifacts with mana values 1, 2, and 4, your artifacts are still vulnerable to spells with a mana value of 3. Additionally, protection does not prevent 'board wipes' that do not target or deal damage, such as spells that say 'destroy all artifacts.' Finally, remember that Rebbec grants protection from the mana value of the source, not the source's color.

When to Play Rebbec

Rebbec is best played when you have a diverse curve of artifacts. To maximize her utility, try to maintain a 'spread' of mana values (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, etc.) across your board. This ensures that almost any targeted removal spell an opponent tries to use will share a mana value with one of your artifacts, causing the spell to fizzle.

Interaction examples

Blocking with the Golem

Solemn Simulacrum

Roaming Throne

If you control Rebbec, Solemn Simulacrum (mana value 4), and Roaming Throne (mana value 4), both artifacts have protection from mana value 4. If an opponent attacks with a creature that has a mana value of 4, you can block with Solemn Simulacrum and it will take no damage. Furthermore, an opponent cannot target your Roaming Throne with a spell like 'Cast Out' because it also has a mana value of 4.

Layering Protections

Solemn Simulacrum

With Rebbec on the battlefield, you cast Solemn Simulacrum. Once it resolves and enters the battlefield, Rebbec's static ability immediately grants it protection from mana value 4 (its own mana value). If your opponent has a removal spell in hand that costs 4 mana, they cannot target the Solemn Simulacrum in response to its 'enters the battlefield' trigger, as the protection is active the moment it touches the field.

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

How it works : Rebbec, Architect of Ascension

Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall

#1November 10, 2020· Wizards of the Coast
For spells with in their mana costs, use the value chosen for X to determine the spell's mana value. If an artifact you control has in its mana cost, X is considered to be 0.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#2November 10, 2020· Wizards of the Coast
If your Commander deck has two commanders, you can only include cards whose own color identities are also found in your commanders' combined color identities. If Falthis and Kediss are your commanders, your deck may contain cards with black and/or red in their color identity, but not cards with green, white, or blue.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#3November 10, 2020· Wizards of the Coast
Both commanders start in the command zone, and the remaining 98 cards (or 58 cards in a Commander Draft game) of your deck are shuffled to become your library.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#4November 10, 2020· Wizards of the Coast
To have two commanders, both must have the partner ability as the game begins. Losing the ability during the game doesn't cause either to cease to be your commander.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#5November 10, 2020· Wizards of the Coast
Once the game begins, your two commanders are tracked separately. If you cast one, you won't have to pay an additional the first time you cast the other. A player loses the game after having been dealt 21 damage from any one of them, not from both of them combined.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#6November 10, 2020· Wizards of the Coast
If something refers to your commander while you have two commanders, it refers to one of them of your choice. If you are instructed to perform an action on your commander (e.g. put it from the command zone into your hand due to Command Beacon), you choose one of your commanders at the time the effect happens.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#7November 10, 2020· Wizards of the Coast
An effect that checks whether you control your commander is satisfied if you control one or both of your two commanders.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#8November 10, 2020· Wizards of the Coast
You can choose two commanders with partner that are the same color or colors. In Commander Draft, you can even choose two of the same commander with partner if you drafted them. If you do this, make sure you keep the number of times you've cast each from the command zone clear for "commander tax" purposes.
No other card is named in this ruling.