Sarkhan, Wanderer to Shiv 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: Dragon cards in your hand perpetually gain "This spell costs less to cast," and "You may pay rather than pay this spell's mana cost, where X is its mana value." +1: Conjure a card named Shivan Dragon into your hand. −2: Sarkhan, Wanderer to Shiv deals 3 damage to target creature.

Complete guide

Sarkhan, Wanderer to Shiv is a powerful red planeswalker that specializes in fueling your Draconic army through perpetual cost reduction and card creation. By manipulating the very nature of the cards in your hand, he ensures your high-cost flyers hit the battlefield much earlier than expected. Whether you are summoning legendary beasts or clearing the way with fire, Sarkhan is a cornerstone for any Dragon enthusiast.

Harnessing Perpetual Power

Sarkhan's first ability is unique because it uses the 'perpetual' mechanic, meaning the changes stay with the cards regardless of where they move during the game. It grants every Dragon card currently in your hand two distinct benefits: a flat {1} cost reduction and the ability to pay {X} mana of any color instead of their specific mana cost. This allows you to cast expensive red Dragons using any color of mana, providing incredible flexibility in multi-color decks.

Conjuring the Classics

His second +1 ability utilizes the 'conjure' mechanic to create a Shivan Dragon card out of thin air and place it directly into your hand. This is not a token; it is a full card that can be cast, discarded, or interacted with just like any other card in your deck. Because it enters your hand, you can then use Sarkhan's first ability on a subsequent turn to reduce its cost, making the conjured Shivan Dragon even easier to cast.

Removal and Strategy

When the board gets crowded, Sarkhan can use his -2 ability to deal 3 damage to a target creature. While this reduces his loyalty, it is a vital tool for protecting himself from early-game threats. The best time to play Sarkhan is when you have a hand full of Dragons to buff, or when you need to generate a win condition via Shivan Dragon to close out a stalled game.

Interaction examples

Double Buffing Shivan Dragon

Shivan Dragon

First, use Sarkhan's second ability to conjure a Shivan Dragon into your hand. On the next turn, use his first ability. The Shivan Dragon in your hand now perpetually costs {4}{R} instead of {5}{R}. Additionally, you now have the choice to pay {5} mana of any color (its mana value minus the {1} reduction) to cast it, helping you bypass strict red mana requirements.

Managing the Board with Chandra

Chandra, Torch of Defiance

If an opponent has a creature with 7 toughness, Sarkhan alone cannot destroy it. You can use Sarkhan's -2 ability to deal 3 damage, and then use Chandra, Torch of Defiance's -3 ability to deal an additional 4 damage to the same target, effectively pooling their powers to remove a massive threat.

Resource Acceleration

Chandra, Torch of Defiance

Use Chandra, Torch of Defiance's second +1 ability to add {R}{R} to your mana pool. You can then use this mana to help pay for Sarkhan, Wanderer to Shiv's {3}{R} cost, or save it to activate the Firebreathing ability of a Shivan Dragon that Sarkhan has helped you bring onto the battlefield.

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