Silkbind Faerie 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
Flying,
: Tap target creature. (
Complete guide
Silkbind Faerie is a versatile utility creature from the Shadowmoor block that introduces the unique untap symbol. By mastering this mechanic, you can use your creature twice or control your opponent's board during their combat phase. Understanding the flow of the untap cost is key to maximizing this Faerie's potential.
What It Does
Silkbind Faerie has two main components: Flying and an activated ability. The ability costs one hybrid white or blue mana, generic mana, and the untap symbol ({Q}). When you activate this, you untap Silkbind Faerie to tap another target creature on the battlefield. Because the untap is a cost, the Faerie must be tapped before you can even begin to activate the ability.
How It Resolves Step by Step
First, you must ensure Silkbind Faerie is already tapped and has been under your control since the start of your turn (unless it has haste). Second, you announce the ability and pay the costs: one generic mana, one hybrid mana, and physically untapping Silkbind Faerie. Finally, you choose a target creature. Once the ability resolves, that target creature becomes tapped. Note that because untapping is a cost, your opponent cannot respond to the untap itself, only to the ability once it is on the stack.
Common Mistakes
The most frequent error is trying to activate the ability while Silkbind Faerie is already untapped. Just as you cannot pay a 'Tap' cost with a creature that is already tapped, you cannot pay an 'Untap' cost with a creature that is already untapped. Additionally, remember that the untap symbol is subject to summoning sickness. You cannot use this ability the turn the Faerie enters the battlefield unless you give it haste.
When to Play It
Silkbind Faerie is best used as a defensive tool or a way to reuse an attacker. You can attack with the Faerie during your combat phase, and then, during your opponent's turn, pay the cost to untap it and tap down their biggest threat. This effectively gives the Faerie a version of vigilance while providing powerful crowd control.
Interaction examples
Solemn SimulacrumYour opponent attacks with Solemn Simulacrum. If your Silkbind Faerie is currently tapped (perhaps from attacking on your previous turn), you can pay {1}{W/U} and untap Silkbind Faerie to target Solemn Simulacrum. If you do this during the Beginning of Combat step, the Simulacrum will be tapped and unable to be declared as an attacker.
Roaming ThroneIf you have Roaming Throne on the battlefield with 'Faerie' chosen as the creature type, it is important to note that Roaming Throne only doubles triggered abilities. Silkbind Faerie's ability is an activated ability (indicated by the colon), so Roaming Throne will not cause the tap effect to happen twice.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Silkbind Faerie
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
If the permanent is already untapped, you can’t activate its
ability. That’s because you can’t pay the “Untap this permanent” cost.No other card is named in this ruling.
- #2· Wizards of the Coast
If a creature with an
ability hasn’t been under your control since your most recent turn began, you can’t activate that ability, unless the creature has haste.No other card is named in this ruling.
- #3· Wizards of the Coast
When you activate an
ability, you untap the creature with that ability as a cost. The untap can’t be responded to. (The actual ability can be responded to, of course.)No other card is named in this ruling.
Legal formats
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Meta decks with Silkbind Faerie
No archived Top 8 deck with this card yet.