Sima Yi, Wei Field Marshal 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
Sima Yi's power is equal to the number of Swamps you control.
Complete guide
Sima Yi, Wei Field Marshal is a powerful legendary leader whose strength is intrinsically tied to the land itself. By commanding the dark marshes, this Soldier transforms your territory into raw offensive power. Whether you are leading a mono-black army or a multi-color deck with heavy land fixing, Sima Yi serves as a growing threat that scales as the game progresses.
Variable Power Mechanics
Sima Yi, Wei Field Marshal features a characteristic-defining ability that sets its power. Unlike most creatures that have a fixed number, Sima Yi's power is dynamic and functions in all zones, including the library and the graveyard. The ability checks the number of lands you control with the subtype 'Swamp' at all times, including basic Swamps and non-basic lands that have the Swamp subtype.
Step-by-Step Resolution
When Sima Yi is on the battlefield, its power is updated continuously as a continuous effect. First, the game identifies every permanent you control. Second, it checks which of those permanents have the 'Swamp' card type. Third, it sets Sima Yi's power equal to that total. If a land is destroyed or you play a new Swamp, the power updates immediately without using the stack.
Common Pitfalls
A common mistake is assuming Sima Yi's toughness also scales; however, its toughness is a fixed 4. Another error involves 'Devotion.' While Sima Yi's mana cost contributes to your black devotion, its power-setting ability only counts the number of Swamps you control, not the total amount of black mana symbols in their costs or on your permanents.
Strategic Timing
Sima Yi is best played in the mid-to-late game when you have established a significant mana base. Because its power can reach high numbers, it is an excellent candidate for equipment or spells that grant Lifelink or Trample. It is most effective in decks that utilize land-search effects to ensure your Swamp count remains higher than your opponent's creature health.
Interaction examples
Gray Merchant of AsphodelIf you control five Swamps and Sima Yi, Sima Yi is a 5/4 creature. When you cast Gray Merchant of Asphodel, its triggered ability checks your devotion to black. Sima Yi contributes one black mana symbol from its mana cost, and Gray Merchant contributes two. The Merchant will drain each opponent for 3 life, while Sima Yi remains a 5/4 because the number of Swamps has not changed.
Syr Konrad, the GrimWith Sima Yi and Syr Konrad, the Grim on the battlefield, you have a massive blocker and a source of incidental damage. If Sima Yi is destroyed while you control six Swamps, it is a 6/4 at the moment it leaves the battlefield. As it enters the graveyard, Syr Konrad, the Grim triggers, dealing 1 damage to each opponent because a creature card was put into a graveyard.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Sima Yi, Wei Field Marshal
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
No additional ruling has been published for this card.
Legal formats
Commentaires
- Sois le premier à commenter cette carte.
Read next
Meta decks with Sima Yi, Wei Field Marshal
No archived Top 8 deck with this card yet.