Saheeli, the Gifted — ruling 1

To determine the total cost of a spell, start with the mana cost or alternative cost you're paying, add any cost increases, then apply any cost reductions (such as that of Saheeli's second ability). The mana value of the spell remains unchanged, no matter what the total cost to cast it was.

Saheeli, the Gifted — ruling 2

The total cost to cast a spell is locked in before you pay that cost. For example, if you control three artifacts, including one you can sacrifice to add {C}, Saheeli's second ability will reduce the cost of a spell you cast by {3}. Then you can sacrifice the artifact when you activate mana abilities just before paying the cost, and it remains reduced by {3}.

Saheeli, the Gifted — ruling 3

Saheeli's second ability reduces only generic mana in the cost of the next spell you cast.

Saheeli, the Gifted — ruling 4

While resolving Saheeli's third ability, each token copies exactly what was printed on the original artifact and nothing else (unless that artifact is copying something else or is a token; see below). It doesn't copy whether that artifact is tapped or untapped, whether it has any counters on it or Auras attached to it, or any non-copy effects that have changed its types, color, or so on.

Saheeli, the Gifted — ruling 5

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

Saheeli, the Gifted — ruling 6

If a copied artifact is a token, the token that's created copies the original characteristics of that token as stated by the effect that created the token.

Saheeli, the Gifted — ruling 7

If a copied artifact is copying something else (for example, if the copied artifact is a Sculpting Steel), then the token enters the battlefield as whatever that artifact copied.

Saheeli, the Gifted — ruling 8

Any enters-the-battlefield abilities of a copied artifact will trigger when the token enters the battlefield. Any "as [this artifact] enters the battlefield" or "[this artifact] enters the battlefield with" abilities of the artifact will also work.

Saheeli, the Gifted : règles, fonctionnement et interactions (MTG)

Saheeli, the Gifted 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: Create a 1/1 colorless Servo artifact creature token. +1: The next spell you cast this turn has affinity for artifacts. (It costs less to cast for each artifact you control as you cast it.) −7: For each artifact you control, create a token that's a copy of it. Those tokens gain haste. Exile those tokens at the beginning of the next end step. Saheeli, the Gifted can be your commander.

Complete guide

Saheeli, the Gifted is a powerhouse commander who turns your artifact collection into both a resource and a win condition. Whether she is building a board of Servos or reducing the cost of massive spells, she represents the pinnacle of Kaladesh ingenuity.

Mastering Affinity for Artifacts

Saheeli's second ability grants your next spell 'Affinity for artifacts.' This ability calculates the reduction based on the number of artifacts you control at the moment you cast the spell. It is important to remember that this reduction only applies to generic mana; it cannot reduce the colored mana requirements of a spell.

Resolving the Ultimate

When you activate Saheeli's -7 ability, you count your artifacts and create a token copy of each one. These tokens gain haste, allowing you to attack immediately if they are creatures. However, these tokens are temporary and will be exiled at the beginning of the next end step. If a token copies an artifact with an 'enters-the-battlefield' ability, that ability will trigger normally.

Cost Locking and Sacrificing

A common point of confusion is how mana abilities interact with Saheeli's cost reduction. The total cost of a spell is locked in before you actually pay. If you control an artifact you can sacrifice for mana, you still receive the full discount based on that artifact being on the board, even if you sacrifice it to pay the remaining mana cost.

Common Copying Mistakes

When Saheeli creates copies, she only copies what is printed on the original card. She does not copy counters, Auras, or temporary effects like a permanent being turned into a creature. If the original artifact is itself a token, the new token copies the original characteristics defined by the effect that created that token.

Interaction examples

Building a Servo Army

Servo

You activate Saheeli's first +1 ability. This puts a 1/1 colorless Servo artifact creature token onto the battlefield. This simple action increases your artifact count for future affinity plays and provides a blocker to protect Saheeli.

Massive Cost Reduction

Servo

Suppose you control five Servo tokens and activate Saheeli's second +1 ability. The next spell you cast this turn will cost {5} less to cast. If you cast a spell that costs {7}{U}, you will only need to pay {2}{U}.

Temporary Replicas

Copy

With seven loyalty, you activate Saheeli's ultimate. If you control three artifacts, you create three 'Copy' tokens that are duplicates of your artifacts. These tokens gain haste, but they will be removed from the game at the start of the next end step.

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

How it works : Saheeli, the Gifted

Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall

#1July 13, 2018· Wizards of the Coast
To determine the total cost of a spell, start with the mana cost or alternative cost you're paying, add any cost increases, then apply any cost reductions (such as that of Saheeli's second ability). The mana value of the spell remains unchanged, no matter what the total cost to cast it was.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#2July 13, 2018· Wizards of the Coast
The total cost to cast a spell is locked in before you pay that cost. For example, if you control three artifacts, including one you can sacrifice to add , Saheeli's second ability will reduce the cost of a spell you cast by . Then you can sacrifice the artifact when you activate mana abilities just before paying the cost, and it remains reduced by .
No other card is named in this ruling.
#3July 13, 2018· Wizards of the Coast
Saheeli's second ability reduces only generic mana in the cost of the next spell you cast.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#4July 13, 2018· Wizards of the Coast
While resolving Saheeli's third ability, each token copies exactly what was printed on the original artifact and nothing else (unless that artifact is copying something else or is a token; see below). It doesn't copy whether that artifact is tapped or untapped, whether it has any counters on it or Auras attached to it, or any non-copy effects that have changed its types, color, or so on.
Card named in this ruling
Copy
#5July 13, 2018· Wizards of the Coast
If a copied artifact has in its mana cost, X is considered to be 0.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#6July 13, 2018· Wizards of the Coast
If a copied artifact is a token, the token that's created copies the original characteristics of that token as stated by the effect that created the token.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#7July 13, 2018· Wizards of the Coast
If a copied artifact is copying something else (for example, if the copied artifact is a Sculpting Steel), then the token enters the battlefield as whatever that artifact copied.
Card named in this ruling
Copy
#8July 13, 2018· Wizards of the Coast
Any enters-the-battlefield abilities of a copied artifact will trigger when the token enters the battlefield. Any "as [this artifact] enters the battlefield" or "[this artifact] enters the battlefield with" abilities of the artifact will also work.
No other card is named in this ruling.