Riptide Gearhulk 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
Double strike Prowess (Whenever you cast a noncreature spell, this creature gets +1/+1 until end of turn.) When this creature enters, for each opponent, put up to one target nonland permanent that player controls into its owner's library third from the top.
Complete guide
Riptide Gearhulk is a formidable Construct that blends offensive prowess with potent board control. As a dual-colored artifact creature, it punishes opponents by removing their most valuable threats while scaling its own power through spellcasting. Mastering its enter-the-battlefield ability is key to disrupting your opponents' tempo and securing victory.
Dual Threats: Double Strike and Prowess
Riptide Gearhulk features two powerful keywords that make it a combat powerhouse. Double strike allows it to deal both first-strike and regular combat damage, effectively doubling its impact in a fight. Meanwhile, its prowess ability ensures that every noncreature spell you cast buffs its stats, making it increasingly difficult for opponents to block or survive an attack.
Understanding the Removal Ability
When Riptide Gearhulk enters the battlefield, you choose up to one target nonland permanent for each opponent. Upon resolution, these permanents are tucked into their owners' libraries, specifically in the third position from the top. If a library has fewer than two cards, the permanent is simply placed at the bottom. This effect does not destroy or exile, bypassing many protection mechanics like indestructible.
Strategic Placement and Targeting
A common mistake is forgetting that this ability targets. If an opponent's permanent gains hexproof or shroud in response, that specific target will be illegal and remain on the battlefield. Additionally, since the cards go third from the top, you are effectively delaying those threats for two draw steps, giving you a significant window to close out the game before they return.
When to Deploy the Gearhulk
Wait for a moment when your opponents have committed significant resources to nonland permanents, such as planeswalkers or powerful enchantments. Because Riptide Gearhulk is an artifact creature, it is also vulnerable to artifact destruction, so ensure you have noncreature spells ready to trigger prowess and protect your investment through superior combat stats.
Interaction examples
Roaming ThroneIf you control Roaming Throne with 'Construct' chosen as the creature type, Riptide Gearhulk's enters-the-battlefield ability triggers an additional time. This allows you to target two nonland permanents per opponent, placing them into their libraries in the order the triggers resolve.
Solemn SimulacrumWhen an opponent controls Solemn Simulacrum, you can target it with Riptide Gearhulk's ability. This bypasses the Simulacrum's 'dies' trigger because the card is put into the library rather than the graveyard, preventing your opponent from drawing a card while clearing their blocker.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Riptide Gearhulk
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
No additional ruling has been published for this card.
Legal formats
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Meta decks with Riptide Gearhulk
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