Sarkhan, Soul Aflame 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
Dragon spells you cast costless to cast. Whenever a Dragon you control enters, you may have Sarkhan become a copy of it until end of turn, except its name is Sarkhan, Soul Aflame and it's legendary in addition to its other types.
Complete guide
Sarkhan, Soul Aflame is a versatile commander or support piece that provides both mana acceleration and shapeshifting prowess. By turning into a copy of your most powerful Dragons, he allows you to double up on powerful effects while maintaining his identity as a legendary Shaman.
A Draconic Discount
Sarkhan's first ability reduces the generic mana cost of Dragon spells you cast by {1}. Note that this does not change the mana value of the spell or the specific colored mana requirements; it simply reduces the total amount of mana spent during the casting process.
The Art of Mimicry
When a Dragon enters the battlefield under your control, Sarkhan's triggered ability goes on the stack. Upon resolution, you may choose to have Sarkhan become a copy of that Dragon until the end of the turn. He retains his name, Sarkhan, Soul Aflame, and remains legendary, which is crucial because it allows you to control another legendary Dragon simultaneously without violating the 'legend rule'.
Copying Mechanics
Sarkhan copies the printed characteristics of the Dragon. He does not copy any counters, Auras, or temporary buffs currently affecting the creature he is mimicking. If the Dragon has an 'X' in its mana cost, that X is treated as 0 for the purposes of the copy.
When to Play Sarkhan
Ideally, you want Sarkhan on the board before you begin your mid-game offensive. His cost reduction helps you curve out faster, and his ability to copy Dragons with 'When this creature enters' or powerful keyword abilities like Haste ensures you get immediate value the moment your big threats hit the table.
Interaction examples
Roaming ThroneIf you cast Roaming Throne and choose 'Dragon', it becomes a Dragon in addition to its other types. When it enters, Sarkhan's ability triggers. Because Roaming Throne is a Dragon you control, its own ability causes Sarkhan's copy ability to trigger an additional time. While you can't be two things at once, this allows you to choose to copy two different Dragons if they entered simultaneously, or simply ensures the effect resolves even if one trigger is countered.
Solemn SimulacrumWhen Solemn Simulacrum enters the battlefield, Sarkhan's ability does not trigger because the Golem is not a Dragon. You will still get your basic land from the Simulacrum, but Sarkhan will remain a 2/4 Human Shaman. Use Sarkhan specifically to bridge the gap between your utility creatures and your high-end Dragon finishers.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Sarkhan, Soul Aflame
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
Sarkhan's first ability doesn't change the mana cost or mana value of any Dragon spell. It changes only the total cost you pay.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #2· Wizards of the Coast
That ability can't reduce the amount of colored mana you pay for a Dragon spell. It reduces only the generic component of that cost.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #3· Wizards of the Coast
Sarkhan copies exactly what was printed on the original Dragon and nothing else, with the noted exceptions (unless that creature is a token; see below). It doesn't copy whether that creature 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, and so on in response to Sarkhan's ability.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #4· Wizards of the Coast
If the copied Dragon has
in its mana cost, X is 0.No other card is named in this ruling.
- #5· Wizards of the Coast
If the copied Dragon is a token, Sarkhan copies the original characteristics of that token as stated by the effect that created that token, with the noted exceptions.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #6· Wizards of the Coast
In some unusual cases, the Dragon that entered the battlefield will be copying something else by the time Sarkhan's ability resolves. In such a case, Sarkhan will copy whatever the Dragon is copying, with the noted exceptions.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #7· Wizards of the Coast
If the Dragon that enters the battlefield is legendary and you have Sarkhan copy it, the two Dragons will have different names (unless the entering Dragon is somehow named Sarkhan, Soul Aflame). The "legend rule" won't apply.
No other card is named in this ruling.
Popular combos
Real combos played by the community, sorted by popularity.
Deadeye Navigator + Ganax, Astral Hunter + Sarkhan, Soul Aflame
- 1Cast Ganax either from your hand or from the command zone by paying
plus commander tax, if applicable. - 2When Ganax enters the battlefield, it, Deadeye Navigator's soulbond ability and Sarkhan trigger.
- 3Resolve the Ganax trigger, creating a Treasure token.
- 4Resolve the Deadeye Navigator trigger, pairing it and Ganax.
- 5Resolve the Sarkhan trigger, causing it to become a copy of Ganax whose name is still Sarkhan, Soul Aflame until end of turn.
- 6Activate the Treasure by tapping and sacrificing it, adding
. - 7Activate Ganax by paying , blinking it.
- 8When Ganax enters the battlefield, it, Deadeye Navigator's soulbond ability and Sarkhan trigger.
Legal formats
Commentaires
- Sois le premier à commenter cette carte.
Read next
Meta decks with Sarkhan, Soul Aflame
No archived Top 8 deck with this card yet.