Saruman the White 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
WardWhenever you cast your second spell each turn, amass Orcs 2. (Put two +1/+1 counters on an Army you control. It's also an Orc. If you don't control an Army, create a 0/0 black Orc Army creature token first.)
Complete guide
Saruman the White is a powerful legendary Wizard that rewards you for chaining spells together by building a formidable Orc Army. His presence on the board makes him difficult to remove while turning every second spell you cast into additional board presence.
Mastering the Amass Orcs Mechanic
When Saruman the White's ability triggers, you perform the 'amass Orcs 2' action. If you do not currently control an Army creature, you first create a 0/0 black Orc Army creature token. Then, you place two +1/+1 counters on an Army creature you control. If that Army isn't already an Orc, it gains the Orc subtype in addition to its other types. If you already control an Army, you simply add the counters to it, growing your existing forces.
Tracking Your Spells
The ability specifically tracks how many spells you have cast during the current turn, regardless of whether Saruman the White was on the battlefield when the first spell was cast. If Saruman is the first spell you cast in a turn, the next spell you cast will trigger his ability. However, if you cast two spells and then cast Saruman as your third spell, his ability will not trigger that turn.
Resolution and Timing
The amass ability is a triggered ability that goes on the stack whenever you cast your second spell. This means the Orc Army token is created (or your existing Army grows) before the second spell itself actually resolves. Note that the token enters the battlefield as a 0/0 creature before the counters are placed, which is important for other triggered abilities that check a creature's power upon entry.
When to Play Saruman
Saruman the White is most effective in decks that can reliably cast multiple low-cost spells in a single turn. Because he has Ward 2, he is harder for opponents to target with removal, making him a stable engine for generating value. Save your cheap utility spells for a turn where you have enough mana to cast two of them, ensuring you get the Orc Army bonus immediately.
Interaction examples
Saruman the White
Solemn SimulacrumSuppose you have Saruman the White on the battlefield. You cast a cheap instant as your first spell of the turn. Next, you cast Solemn Simulacrum as your second spell. Saruman's ability triggers immediately. You create a 0/0 Orc Army and put two +1/+1 counters on it, resulting in a 2/2 creature. Then, Solemn Simulacrum resolves and enters the battlefield, allowing you to search for a land.
Roaming ThroneIf you control Saruman the White and Roaming Throne (with 'Wizard' chosen as the creature type), casting your second spell of the turn will cause Saruman's ability to trigger twice. The first resolution will amass Orcs 2, creating a 2/2 Army token. The second resolution will amass Orcs 2 again, putting two more counters on that same Army, making it a 4/4 Orc Army.
Orc ArmyIf you cast a spell earlier in the turn and then cast Saruman the White as your second spell, Saruman's ability will not trigger for himself. However, if Saruman was your first spell, and you then cast another spell later that turn, Saruman will see that second spell and create an Orc Army token before that second spell resolves.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Saruman the White
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
Spells that were cast before Saruman the White count. If Saruman the White was the first spell you cast this turn, the next spell you cast this turn is your second spell.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #2· Wizards of the Coast
Amass abilities are now written as "amass [subtype] N." Previous cards with amass have received errata to say "amass Zombies N."
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #3· Wizards of the Coast
To amass Orcs N, if you don't control an Army creature, create a 0/0 black Orc Army creature token. Then you choose an Army creature you control and put N +1/+1 counters on it. If that Army isn't already an Orc, it becomes an Orc in addition to its other types.
Card named in this ruling
- #4· Wizards of the Coast
Amass Zombies works the same way, except you create a 0/0 black Zombie Army creature token if you don't control an Army. If the Army creature you chose isn't already a Zombie, it becomes a Zombie in addition to its other types. By combining cards with amass Orcs and amass Zombies, you can end up with an Orc Zombie Army.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #5· Wizards of the Coast
In the rare case that you control multiple Army creatures (perhaps because you played a creature with changeling) while you amass Orcs, you choose which of your Army creatures to put the +1/+1 counters on. If that creature isn't an Orc, it becomes an Orc in addition to its other types.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #6· Wizards of the Coast
If you don't control an Army, the Orc Army token you create enters the battlefield as a 0/0 creature before receiving counters. Any abilities that trigger when a creature with a certain power enters the battlefield, such as that of Mentor of the Meek, will see the token enter as a 0/0 creature before it gets +1/+1 counters.
Card named in this ruling
- #7· Wizards of the Coast
Some spells and abilities that amass Orcs may require targets. If each target chosen is an illegal target as that spell or ability tries to resolve, it won't resolve. You won't amass Orcs.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #8· Wizards of the Coast
Some cards refer to the "amassed Army." That means the Army creature you chose to receive counters, even if no counters were placed on it for some reason.
No other card is named in this ruling.
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Meta decks with Saruman the White
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