Sly Requisitioner — ruling 1

If Sly Requisitioner is put into a graveyard at the same time as a nontoken artifact you control, its ability triggers.

Sly Requisitioner — ruling 2

Improvise doesn't change a spell's mana cost or mana value.

Sly Requisitioner — ruling 3

When calculating a spell's total cost, include any alternative costs, additional costs, or anything else that increases or reduces the cost to cast the spell. Improvise applies after the total cost is calculated.

Sly Requisitioner — ruling 4

Because improvise isn't an alternative cost, it can be used in conjunction with alternative costs.

Sly Requisitioner — ruling 5

Improvise can't pay for {W}, {U}, {B}, {R}, {G}, or {C} mana symbols in a spell's total cost.

Sly Requisitioner — ruling 6

Improvise can't be used to pay for anything other than the cost of casting the spell. For example, it can't be used during the resolution of an ability that says "Counter target spell unless its controller pays {3}."

Sly Requisitioner — ruling 7

If an artifact you control has a mana ability with {T} in the cost, activating that ability while casting a spell with improvise will result in the artifact being tapped when you pay the spell's costs. You won't be able to tap it again for improvise. Similarly, if you sacrifice an artifact to activate a mana ability while casting a spell with improvise, that artifact won't be on the battlefield when you pay the spell's costs, so you won't be able to tap it for improvise.

Sly Requisitioner — ruling 8

Tapping an artifact won't cause its abilities to stop applying unless those abilities say so.

Sly Requisitioner : règles, fonctionnement et interactions (MTG)

Sly Requisitioner 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

Improvise (Your artifacts can help cast this spell. Each artifact you tap after you're done activating mana abilities pays for .) Whenever a nontoken artifact you control is put into a graveyard from the battlefield, create a 1/1 colorless Servo artifact creature token.

Complete guide

Sly Requisitioner is a cornerstone for artifact-based decks, offering both a way to cheat mana costs and a reward for your items breaking. This Human Artificer ensures that every piece of scrap you lose is immediately replaced by a fresh 1/1 Servo. Whether you are sacrificing gear for value or just losing items to combat, the Requisitioner keeps your board populated.

Tapping into Improvise

The Improvise keyword allows your artifacts to function like mana rocks. When you cast a spell with Improvise, you first calculate the total cost, including any additions or reductions. Then, you may tap any number of untapped artifacts you control to pay for one generic mana each. Note that Improvise cannot pay for specific colored mana symbols like the Black mana required for Sly Requisitioner.

Generating Servos Step-by-Step

The second ability triggers whenever a nontoken artifact you control is put into a graveyard from the battlefield. First, the artifact must be a 'nontoken' card; tokens disappearing do not count. Second, it must actually reach the graveyard. If an effect exiles the artifact instead, the ability will not trigger. Once the condition is met, the ability goes on the stack, and upon resolution, you create a 1/1 colorless Servo artifact creature token.

Common Improvise Pitfalls

A common mistake involves mana abilities. If you sacrifice an artifact (like a Treasure) to produce mana to pay for a spell, that artifact is no longer on the battlefield to be tapped for Improvise. Similarly, you cannot tap the same artifact for a mana ability and for Improvise. Additionally, tapping Equipment for Improvise does not tap the creature it is attached to, nor does it stop the Equipment from providing its bonuses unless the card explicitly says otherwise.

When to Play Sly Requisitioner

Sly Requisitioner is best played in decks that feature 'sacrifice outlets' or high-value artifacts that die frequently. Because it triggers when the Requisitioner itself dies simultaneously with other artifacts (such as during a board wipe), it provides excellent insurance against removal. It turns every death into a new body, keeping your Improvise engine running for future spells.

Interaction examples

The Value Exchange

Solemn Simulacrum

With Sly Requisitioner on the battlefield, you block an opponent's creature with Solemn Simulacrum. When the Simulacrum dies, two things happen: you may draw a card from its own ability, and Sly Requisitioner triggers because a nontoken artifact was put into the graveyard. You end the exchange with a new card in hand and a 1/1 Servo token on the battlefield.

Doubling Production

Roaming Throne

If you control Roaming Throne and chose 'Human' or 'Artificer' as it entered, its ability affects Sly Requisitioner. If a nontoken artifact you control is destroyed, Sly Requisitioner's ability triggers twice due to the Throne. You will create two 1/1 Servo tokens instead of one. Note that because Roaming Throne is also an artifact creature, if it dies, it will trigger the Requisitioner to create a Servo.

Board Wipe Resilience

Solemn Simulacrum

If an opponent plays a spell that destroys all creatures while you control both Sly Requisitioner and Solemn Simulacrum, the Requisitioner 'sees' the Simulacrum (a nontoken artifact) dying at the same time it does. The ability triggers, and you will still get a 1/1 Servo token even though the Requisitioner is no longer on the battlefield.

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

How it works : Sly Requisitioner

Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall

#1February 9, 2017· Wizards of the Coast
If Sly Requisitioner is put into a graveyard at the same time as a nontoken artifact you control, its ability triggers.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#2February 9, 2017· Wizards of the Coast
Improvise doesn't change a spell's mana cost or mana value.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#3February 9, 2017· Wizards of the Coast
When calculating a spell's total cost, include any alternative costs, additional costs, or anything else that increases or reduces the cost to cast the spell. Improvise applies after the total cost is calculated.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#4February 9, 2017· Wizards of the Coast
Because improvise isn't an alternative cost, it can be used in conjunction with alternative costs.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#5February 9, 2017· Wizards of the Coast
Improvise can't pay for , , , , , or mana symbols in a spell's total cost.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#6February 9, 2017· Wizards of the Coast
Improvise can't be used to pay for anything other than the cost of casting the spell. For example, it can't be used during the resolution of an ability that says "Counter target spell unless its controller pays ."
No other card is named in this ruling.
#7February 9, 2017· Wizards of the Coast
If an artifact you control has a mana ability with in the cost, activating that ability while casting a spell with improvise will result in the artifact being tapped when you pay the spell's costs. You won't be able to tap it again for improvise. Similarly, if you sacrifice an artifact to activate a mana ability while casting a spell with improvise, that artifact won't be on the battlefield when you pay the spell's costs, so you won't be able to tap it for improvise.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#8February 9, 2017· Wizards of the Coast
Tapping an artifact won't cause its abilities to stop applying unless those abilities say so.
No other card is named in this ruling.
#9February 9, 2017· Wizards of the Coast
Equipment attached to a creature doesn't become tapped when that creature becomes tapped, and tapping that Equipment doesn't cause the creature to become tapped.
No other card is named in this ruling.