Saheeli Rai — ruling 1

The token copies exactly what was printed on the original permanent and nothing else (unless that permanent is copying something else or is a token; see below). It doesn't copy whether that permanent is tapped or untapped, whether it has any counters on it or Auras and Equipment attached to it, or any non-copy effects that have changed its power, toughness, types, color, or so on.

Saheeli Rai — ruling 2

The token is an artifact in addition to its other types. This is a copiable value of the token that other effects may copy. Haste and the ability's delayed triggered ability aren't copiable.

Saheeli Rai — ruling 3

If the copied permanent has {X} in its mana cost, X is considered to be 0.

Saheeli Rai — ruling 4

If the copied permanent is copying something else (for example, if the copied permanent is an Altered Ego), then the token enters the battlefield as whatever that permanent copied.

Saheeli Rai — ruling 5

If the copied permanent is a token, the token created with Saheeli copies the original characteristics of that token as stated by the effect that created that token.

Saheeli Rai — ruling 6

Any enters-the-battlefield abilities of the copied permanent will trigger when the token enters the battlefield. Any “as [this permanent] enters the battlefield” or “[this permanent] enters the battlefield with” abilities of the chosen permanent will also work.

Saheeli Rai — ruling 7

As Saheeli's last ability resolves, all three artifacts enter the battlefield at the same time. Triggered abilities of any of those artifacts will see all three entering the battlefield. Replacement effects, such as that of Sculpting Steel, won't see the others on the battlefield as they are being applied.

Saheeli Rai — ruling 8

In a Two-Headed Giant game, Saheeli's first ability causes 2 damage total to be dealt to the opposing team.

Saheeli Rai : règles, fonctionnement et interactions (MTG)

Saheeli Rai 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

+1: Scry 1. Saheeli Rai deals 1 damage to each opponent. −2: Create a token that's a copy of target artifact or creature you control, except it's an artifact in addition to its other types. That token gains haste. Exile it at the beginning of the next end step. −7: Search your library for up to three artifact cards with different names, put them onto the battlefield, then shuffle.

Complete guide

Saheeli Rai is a versatile Izzet planeswalker that excels at card selection, incremental damage, and explosive combo potential. Whether you are copying powerful artifacts or digging for your win conditions, she provides immense utility for just three mana.

Copying with Precision

Saheeli's second ability creates a token copy of an artifact or creature you control. This token is an artifact in addition to its other types and gains haste, making it perfect for immediate attacks or activated abilities. Remember that this token copies the 'printed' characteristics of the original; it won't copy any counters, Auras, or temporary stat changes currently affecting the target.

Step-by-Step Resolution

When you activate Saheeli's -2 ability, you first target a legal artifact or creature you control. Upon resolution, the token enters the battlefield, triggering any 'enters the battlefield' abilities. The token remains until the beginning of the next end step, at which point a delayed trigger is put on the stack to exile it. If you use her -7 ability, you search for up to three artifacts with different names; these all enter simultaneously, meaning they see each other for triggered abilities, but replacement effects like choosing a permanent for a clone effect cannot see the other artifacts entering with them.

Common Pitfalls

A common mistake is forgetting that the token's type change to include 'artifact' is a copiable value, but the Haste and the 'exile at end step' clause are not. If you make a copy of the Saheeli token with another effect, that new copy will be an artifact, but it won't have Haste and won't be exiled. Additionally, if you copy a creature with an X in its mana cost, X is always treated as 0 for the token.

When to Play Saheeli

Saheeli Rai is most effective in decks that can capitalize on ETB (enters-the-battlefield) triggers or haste. Her +1 ability is a great way to filter your draws while applying pressure to opponents' life totals. In multiplayer formats like Two-Headed Giant, note that her +1 deals 1 damage to each opponent, resulting in 2 total damage to the opposing team.

Interaction examples

Basic Copying Utility

Copy

You control a creature and activate Saheeli Rai's -2 ability. You use a Copy token to represent the new permanent. The token enters with Haste, allowing you to attack immediately. At the beginning of your end step, the delayed trigger fires and your Copy token is exiled.

Resource Management

Jace, Wielder of Mysteries

While Saheeli Rai works on the board, you can use her +1 to Scry 1, setting up your next draw. If you have Jace, Wielder of Mysteries on the field, his +1 allows you to draw the card you just kept on top with Saheeli, accelerating your path to his ultimate victory condition.

Navigating Restrictions

Narset, Parter of Veils

If your opponent controls Narset, Parter of Veils, you are restricted to drawing one card per turn. However, Saheeli Rai's +1 ability does not draw a card; it Scries. This allows you to filter your library and deal damage to the opponent without being stopped by Narset's static ability.

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

How it works : Saheeli Rai

Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall

#1September 20, 2016· Wizards of the Coast
The token copies exactly what was printed on the original permanent and nothing else (unless that permanent is copying something else or is a token; see below). It doesn't copy whether that permanent is tapped or untapped, whether it has any counters on it or Auras and Equipment attached to it, or any non-copy effects that have changed its power, toughness, types, color, or so on.
Card named in this ruling
Copy
#2September 20, 2016· Wizards of the Coast
The token is an artifact in addition to its other types. This is a copiable value of the token that other effects may copy. Haste and the ability's delayed triggered ability aren't copiable.
Card named in this ruling
Copy
#3September 20, 2016· Wizards of the Coast
If the copied permanent has in its mana cost, X is considered to be 0.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#4September 20, 2016· Wizards of the Coast
If the copied permanent is copying something else (for example, if the copied permanent is an Altered Ego), then the token enters the battlefield as whatever that permanent copied.
Card named in this ruling
Copy
#5September 20, 2016· Wizards of the Coast
If the copied permanent is a token, the token created with Saheeli copies the original characteristics of that token as stated by the effect that created that token.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#6September 20, 2016· Wizards of the Coast
Any enters-the-battlefield abilities of the copied permanent will trigger when the token enters the battlefield. Any “as [this permanent] enters the battlefield” or “[this permanent] enters the battlefield with” abilities of the chosen permanent will also work.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#7September 20, 2016· Wizards of the Coast
As Saheeli's last ability resolves, all three artifacts enter the battlefield at the same time. Triggered abilities of any of those artifacts will see all three entering the battlefield. Replacement effects, such as that of Sculpting Steel, won't see the others on the battlefield as they are being applied.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#8September 20, 2016· Wizards of the Coast
In a Two-Headed Giant game, Saheeli's first ability causes 2 damage total to be dealt to the opposing team.
No other card is named in this ruling.