Sahagin 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
Whenever you cast a noncreature spell, if at least four mana was spent to cast it, put a +1/+1 counter on this creature and it can't be blocked this turn.
Complete guide
Sahagin is a Merfolk Warrior that rewards you for casting high-investment noncreature spells. By growing larger and becoming unblockable, it turns your tactical maneuvers into a path for direct damage.
Tracking Mana Spent
Sahagin checks the total amount of mana actually spent to cast a noncreature spell, not the spell's mana value. This includes any additional costs, such as kicker or taxes, and accounts for any cost reductions. If the final tally of mana paid is four or more, the ability triggers.
The Resolution Sequence
When you cast a qualifying spell, Sahagin's ability goes on the stack on top of that spell. This means Sahagin receives its +1/+1 counter and becomes unblockable before the noncreature spell even resolves. Even if your opponent counters your spell, Sahagin still gets the benefits because the ability has already been triggered.
Timing Your Spells
The unblockable effect is only useful if it happens before the Declare Blockers step. Once a creature has been legally blocked by an opponent's creature, making it unblockable will not remove the blocker or allow the damage to go through to the player. To ensure Sahagin reaches your opponent, you must cast your four-mana spell during the Main Phase or the Beginning of Combat step.
Common Pitfalls
Remember that Sahagin only looks at noncreature spells. Even if you spend ten mana on a massive creature, Sahagin will not trigger. Additionally, if an effect allows you to cast a spell 'without paying its mana cost,' you have spent zero mana, and Sahagin will not trigger regardless of the spell's printed mana value.
Interaction examples
Ornithopter of ParadiseIf you have Sahagin on the battlefield and tap Ornithopter of Paradise for mana to help cast a noncreature spell like a four-mana artifact, Sahagin will trigger. The mana produced by the Ornithopter counts toward the 'four mana spent' requirement, resulting in a +1/+1 counter and unblockable status for your Merfolk.
Foundry InspectorSuppose you want to cast an artifact with a mana cost of {4}. If Foundry Inspector is on the battlefield, the cost is reduced to {3}. When you cast that artifact, you only spend three mana. Because you did not spend at least four mana, Sahagin's ability will not trigger, even though the card's printed cost is four.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Sahagin
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
Sahagin's ability resolves before the spell that caused it to trigger. It resolves even if that spell is countered or otherwise leaves the stack.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #2· Wizards of the Coast
Once Sahagin has been blocked, casting a noncreature spell in order to cause Sahagin's ability to trigger won't cause Sahagin to become unblocked.
No other card is named in this ruling.
Legal formats
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Meta decks with Sahagin
No archived Top 8 deck with this card yet.