Rimehorn Aurochs 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
Trample Whenever this creature attacks, it gets +1/+0 until end of turn for each other attacking Aurochs.: Target creature blocks target creature this turn if able. (
Complete guide
Rimehorn Aurochs is a powerful snow creature that excels at both aggressive combat and strategic manipulation of the battlefield. By using snow mana, you can force your opponent into unfavorable combat trades while your Aurochs herd grows stronger with every swing. This guide breaks down how to master its blocking manipulation and power-buffing triggers.
Mastering the Snow-Powered Lure
Rimehorn Aurochs features an activated ability that costs {2}{S}, where {S} represents mana generated by a snow source. This ability forces one target creature to block another target creature during the current turn. It is important to note that this creates a requirement for the next time blockers are declared; however, all other rules for legal blocks must still be followed, such as the creature being untapped and the block being legal according to evasion abilities like flying or trample.
The Herd Mentality Trigger
When Rimehorn Aurochs attacks, its triggered ability goes on the stack. It counts the number of other attacking Aurochs you control at the moment the ability resolves. If you control multiple Aurochs, each one will check the others, potentially leading to a massive power spike. This ability only tracks creatures with the Aurochs subtype that are currently declared as attackers.
Strategic Requirements and Restrictions
A common mistake is assuming this ability can force a tapped creature to block; it cannot, as tapped creatures are not 'able' to block. If the target creature cannot legally block the other target for any reason (such as protection or a 'can't be blocked' effect), the requirement is simply ignored. If multiple requirements exist, the player must fulfill as many as possible without violating any restrictions.
When to Activate the Ability
To ensure the forced block happens, you must activate the ability before the Declare Blockers step begins. The most effective time is usually during the Beginning of Combat step or the Declare Attackers step. Once blockers have been legally declared, activating this ability will not change existing blocks or force new ones for that combat.
Interaction examples
Solemn SimulacrumYou attack with Rimehorn Aurochs. During the Declare Attackers step, you spend two generic mana and one mana from a Snow-Covered Forest to target your opponent's Solemn Simulacrum and your Rimehorn Aurochs. If Solemn Simulacrum is untapped, it must now block the Aurochs. This allows you to remove their utility creature using your creature's high power and Trample.
Roaming ThroneWith Roaming Throne on the battlefield naming 'Aurochs', you attack with both creatures. Because Roaming Throne is an Aurochs, Rimehorn Aurochs triggers. The Roaming Throne causes that ability to trigger a second time. Each trigger will see Roaming Throne as another attacking Aurochs, giving Rimehorn Aurochs a total of +2/+0 for the turn.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Rimehorn Aurochs
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
If the first creature targeted by Rimehorn Aurochs can’t block the second targeted creature (for example, because the second creature has flying and the first doesn’t, or because both creatures are controlled by the same player), the ability does nothing and the first creature is free to block whichever creature its controller chooses, or block no creatures at all.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #2· Wizards of the Coast
Abilities of Aurochs care about other creatures that have creature type Aurochs, which includes (but is not limited to) the Ice Age card namedAurochs.
No other card is named in this ruling.
Legal formats
Commentaires
- Sois le premier à commenter cette carte.
Read next
Meta decks with Rimehorn Aurochs
No archived Top 8 deck with this card yet.